The climate and soil in the Upper East Side of Texas, paired with talented chefs and winemakers, led to it becoming a prime wine lovers destination. Over the last couple of decades, as the grapes at each vineyard matured, the wines keep getting better and better and many of the winemakers have won national and international awards.

One group of wineries within the state designated “piney woods” region of north Texas got together many years ago to form the Piney Woods Wine Trail. About 20 locations participate, each with their own unique offerings throughout the countryside. Go to pineywoodswinetrail.com to explore each of them.

Twice a year in the spring and fall, the wineries hold the Piney Woods Wine Festival where wine lovers can visit the winemakers in one convenient location. The next one takes place from 1 to 8 p.m. October 18 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. October 19 in downtown Lindale.

Wine tastings are available from a variety of award-winning wines as well as live music, food, and shopping with local artisan vendors.

The event takes place in and around Picker’s Pavilion at Blackberry Square, 205 Cannery Row.

Lindale is the hometown of country music star Miranda Lambert and her family-owned and operated Red 55 Winery. Visitors enjoy the Hemingway Tasting Room and shopping in her boutique, The Pink Pistol. The Lamberts also opened Ponderosa Pour House serving True Vine draft beer.

Throughout The Cannery surrounding the festival are restaurants and retail and there’s a hotel on site as well as air bnb rooms. Texas Music City Grill & Smokehouse often has live music scheduled.

Within the town of Lindale are many other restaurants and fun things to do, including the Lindale Candy Co., Darden Harvest Park, Faulkner Park, the Lindale Veterans Memorial, and Old Mill Pond Museum.

Go to visitlindale.com to make plans to attend the Piney Woods Wine Festival and surrounding area.