Climate attracts vineyard, winery
Hurricane Katrina blew the Landry family north from Folsom, but when the storm subsided, the family business was relocated to West Monroe.
Landry Vineyards and Winery, one of five commercial vineyards in Louisiana, is now located in the rolling hills of western Ouachita Parish.
The Landry family — Jeff and Libby and their four sons, Ethan, Kohen, Noah and Micah — started the business in 1999 near New Orleans and in 2006 moved the main operations to Cadeville, near West Ouachita High School, where they say the climate is ideal for growing grapes.
"We're in a decreased precipitation area. The soil is sandy with not too much clay," Landry said. "The subsoil and the hills drain well. Good drainage is important. Grapes don't like wet feet."
Landry Vineyards is on 20 acres with about 7 acres in four varieties of grapes. The grapes require three growing seasons to produce.
Until the grapes are ready for harvest, the family works to maintain the health of the vines. A frost last year threatened to damage the crop during a vital part of the growing season.
The Landrys were able to avert a vineyard disaster by working with the topography of the property. With the grape vines nestled into the valley between two hills, Landry and his sons built fires and used hay bales to direct the smoke to insulate the vines and keep them a couple of degrees warmer than the atmosphere.
"It was rewarding," Landry said. "We got a great deal of encouragement knowing that we could handle it."
Landry is expecting his first harvest from the West Monroe vines next August. Harvest will be done completely by hand, as family and friends keep the operation economical and preserve the quality of the grape. Until then, the wine Landry is producing is made with grapes from his Folsom facility and some from out of state.
Two of the five wines that Landry produces come from grapes combined with other fruit. His Blueberry Merlot uses locally produced blueberries combined with Merlot grapes from California.
But for the Blackberry Merlot, he has to order blackberries from out of state because there are no local producers.
Landry hopes eventually to work with local farmers to supply the additional produce needed.
Other wines bottled in West Monroe include Landry's Blanc, Blanc du Bois and Merlot.
The family hopes to expand the operation with a larger tasting facility next summer and to add 2 acres of grapes.
Now, Landry hosts smaller gatherings and school field trips.
Landry Vineyards wines are available locally at the vineyard and several stores around Ouachita Parish.