Texas has a new winery, located in the Red River Valley outside Muenster, about an hour-and-a-half northwest of Dallas. 4R Ranch Vineyards and Winery is designed to serve as a 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.

The property has a number of venues that can be rented for weddings and special occasions. 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.