On Sept. 12 the ladies of the RR Singles Club traveled by bus to the rolling hills of the Texas Red River Valley. The destination was the Blue Ostrich Winery and Vineyard located just north of Saint Jo, Texas, the oldest town in Montague County.
On the bus trip up, our host Char Niemi shared a bit of history of the area. We learned that in 1872 a group of promoters purchased and laid out the town of Saint Jo. In 1873 the first permanent building, the Stonewall Saloon, was opened to accommodate the thirsty trail drivers (they were not called cowboys) driving cattle to Red River Station on the Chisholm Trail. That building still stands today and houses the Stonewall Saloon Museum.
The first stop on our day trip was a private tour of The Phillips House. The youngest son of one of those early settlers to Saint Jo, George Washington (G.W.) Phillips, purchased land just east of town and in 1913 completed the “Big House.” This Texas historic landmark has been in the Phillips family and has operated as a cattle ranch for over 100 years.
The Phillips House has many characteristics of both a Colonial Revival and Queen Anne style, which were typical of the period. With its large, distinctive upstairs and downstairs porches, which wrap three-fourths of the way around it, and numerous columns and hundreds of spindles, the outside was impressive. Inside, our hosts Kim and Leeton Phillips shared pictures and stories of the home with original wood floors, pocket doors, and a beautiful staircase, all made from heart pine wood. The house contains many of the original pieces of furniture that G.W. purchased. The next time you’re heading west on U.S. 82, look to your right as you enter the town of Saint Jo to get a glimpse of The Phillips House.
Next, on to the Blue Ostrich Winery and Vineyard with its award-winning wines and dramatic views. We were fortunate to be there right after harvest during “crush.” Julie Fredrick Whitehead, managing partner, and her team had our wine glasses ready with our first tasting when we arrived.
Patrick Whitehead, winemaker, storyteller, and teacher, started our tour on the crush pad. Then on to the Barrel Barn where we got to see the recently crushed grapes that would soon become Cabernet Sauvignon. In the wine cellar we learned more about their wine operation and completed the wine tastings. The team provided a sweet and dry option for each of the five tastings.
After the tour, the crew had the pavilion all set for lunch. We grabbed a full glass of our favorite wine of the day and enjoyed the company of our fellow travelers, shopped in the gift shop, and visited the ostrich pens to get a closer look at the seven-foot birds for which the winery is named.
Then back on the bus for our return to Robson Ranch, many of us planning our next trip to the area. Saint Jo is just an hour’s drive from Robson Ranch and the winery a scenic 15-minute drive north from there, and so worth the trip.