Texas has a new winery from a Dallas family, located in the Red River Valley outside Muenster. 4R Ranch Vineyards and Winery is designed to serve as destination winery and event venue, with estate Viognier and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards, a tasting room, boutique, and rooms for weddings and special events.

4R was co-founded by the Walt Roper and Chris Roper families of Dallas, as an homage to patriarch W.C. Roper.

"My mother, Suzanne Roper, my brother, Chris Roper, and his family, and my wife, Nicole, and I, are proud to open 4R Ranch Vineyards and Winery to fulfill my father's dream of sharing the beauty of this extraordinary place with others," says co-owner Walt Roper in a release. "Not only have we created a beautiful setting in the North Texas Hill Country for tasting our wine and for hosting memorable occasions, but we have also produced, in collaboration with our winemaker Willem Johnson, a great selection of wines that showcases the quality of grapes that can be grown in the unique terrain and microclimate of the Red River Valley."

A winemaker, cellar master, and sommelier, Johnson was awarded more than 60 medals over seven years at the Colorado Mountain Winefest. He has crafted 4R's two estate wines, produced from grapes on the ranch, as well as a collection of white, rosé, and red wines from externally sourced grapes.

"My fascination with flavors is what is so interesting to me about making wine," Johnson says. "There is an art to blending the different flavors and aspects of each varietal to fashion a flavor in a glass that is unique all on its own."

Johnson says his winemaking style is heavily influenced by time spent in France and his passion for Mediterranean varietals. "I love Old World, handcrafted wines that let the fruit do all the talking," he says.

At 4R, he has focused on blends, combining fruit from their vineyards with fruit from other Texas vineyards.

4R Ranch's portfolio includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, Merlot, and Tempranillo/Malbec. Their No. 4 is a unique blend of Sangiovese, Syrah, Malbec, and Tempranillo. SCS is a signature blend of Sangiovese, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Their other wines include Lenoir/Grenache, 4R Ranch Red, Sweet Grenache Syrah, Chardonnay, Trebbiano, Miscellany 2015, a white blend, Viognier Rosé Sweet, Tempranillo Rosé, and Portejas, a port-style wine.

Visitors to 4R Ranch can enjoy a full menu of wines at the Wind Shed Tasting Room, whose cantilevered deck offers 270-degree views of the breathtaking Red River Valley. It's open Thursdays-Sundays.

Inside the Wind Shed Tasting Room, the Vineyard Flea Boutique sells gifts inspired by the surrounding vineyards and rustic setting as well as gourmet foods from local and Texas purveyors to sample and take home. There are bath products, jewelry, table linens, coffee table books, tabletop wares, children's items, 4R Ranch signature items, gifts for wedding attendants, and a bridal registry.

4R Ranch also has a number of venues that can be rented for weddings and special occasions:

The BarnHaus is a hay barn that serves as the winery’s wine production building.

The East Crush pad is a picturesque setting for wedding ceremonies, receptions, and social gatherings. It has a private bridal room with vanity, mirrors, dressing screens, and Wi-Fi service next to a large women's powder room.

A central alley in the BarnHaus, framed by original tall timber beams and stainless steel wine tanks, can be outfitted with long tables. Large sliding clear corrugated doors can be closed to create an area for smaller events. An adjoining lawn accommodates a large tent.

The Endres/Danglemayr House, built in 1904 by Werner Endres, is a three-story residence that was moved to 4R Ranch from the property of Bishop Augustine Wenzelaus Dangelmayr, the first native Texan to be appointed a bishop to serve his native diocese. Bishop Dangelmayr founded several Catholic schools in Dallas, including St. Monica, Christ the King, and Saint Rita, the school that members of the Roper family presently attend.

This wooden home is an excellent example of turn of the century vernacular architecture found on the Texas prairie. Surrounded by Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards, the house serves as a private residence for the Roper family and as an outdoor wedding ceremony and event site.

The Cleo House overlooks a pond and is flanked by Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. This house gets its name from Dr. Walter Cleo “W.C.” Roper, a dentist from Waco, Texas. W.C. purchased the 4R Ranch in 1992 with his wife, Suzanne, and two sons, Walt and Chris, the owners of 4R Ranch Vineyards & Winery. Today, the Cleo House serves as a private residence for the Roper family and is available as an outdoor wedding ceremony and event site.

The GastHaus, at the entrance to 4R Ranch, is a three-bedroom, two-bath home available for weekend rentals and families of brides and grooms marrying on the property.

4R Ranch also launched a wine club, Club 4R, which offers a discount on purchases in the tasting room, discounts on purchases four times annually, first choice on limited releases, and more.