La Buena Vida

La Buena Vida Winery, located in Grapevine, Texas, has a unique history as it was initially part of a family business that operated newsstands and gift shops within the Dallas/Fort Worth (D/FW) Airport. Gina Puente-Brancato, the owner, converted an underutilized space into a winery, La Bodega, in 1995, which eventually became a successful venture with 18 businesses in the airport. In 2006, Puente-Brancato purchased La Buena Vida Vineyard in Grapevine and later acquired another location in Springtown, where Dr. Bobby Smith remains the primary winemaker. The winery produces wines under the La Buena Vida label, with a focus on Texas-grown grapes (about 80% of their offerings), while the remaining 20% comes from boutique wineries worldwide. Puente-Brancato also collaborates with Paul Bonarrigo of Messina Hof Winery to produce additional labels, including Springtown and Walnut Creek. The winery's tasting room is located in Grapevine, offering a selection of wines for tasting and purchase. The La Buena Vida Vineyard in Springtown is where Dr. Bobby Smith produces the wine, which is then brought into the Grapevine location for tasting and sale. The winery's focus on Texas-grown grapes reflects Puente-Brancato's intention to emphasize local flavors.

Written by Ava from public sources. Not written or reviewed by the winery.