David Staggs was 16 when he made his first bottle of wine. Decades later, he is still honing his skills. Last week, David and his wife, Regina, opened their new business — Texas South Wind Vineyard & Winery.

Just past the county line on U.S. 183 on the east side of the road, their new sign was erected on Dec. 17. Turning into their property, the winery beckons.

Once inside, it doesn’t take much imagination to picture a wine cellar in the heart of Tuscany. Textured brown stone adorns the walls, the ceiling resembles a mountain cave, and the ambient lighting sets the mood. Hanging from the bar are dozens of wine glasses and 12 varieties of wine bearing the family’s label and logo.

Regina hand-painted each of the stones and David used his skills as a cabinet builder to craft the look they wanted. In the future, the couple hopes to expand the site so that weddings and other celebrations can be held at the winery.

“We wanted to fix a building that people can come and enjoy; and as we grow, we’ll add more and more,” Regina said. “This business has been a labor of love for us.”

The wine was bottled and ready long before this week, but Regina said first things first.

She and David delivered their first bottle of wine to their church in Victoria. Then they asked their pastor to bless their winery.

“We will provide our church with all the wine for communion,” she says.

Steeped in their Christian roots, Regina points out that each label has a Bible verse and a picture of a Texas sunset taken by their daughter Lauren, who is home-schooled and recently graduated high school. Lauren will continue to help with the family business, as will their son, who is a home-schooled junior.

“Each label has a different picture,” Regina said.

The Bible verse is from John 3:8: The wind blows when it wishes and you hear its sound but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the spirit.”

The South Wind label is derived from the prevailing south wind.

“We planted the vines so the south wind will blow through the grapes to dry them,” Regina said. “We’re very proud to be Texans and we want people to know this is a Texas wine.”

The United States is young in the wine-making industry and Texas is fifth in the nation for wine production. The climate is not always conducive for grape-growing in South Texas, especially coming off a drought year.

This year, all their produce came from Bill and Pam Christopher’s vineyard in Goliad.

The Staggs did a lot of homework to find the right 11 varieties of grapes they planted. Their preference is blanc du blis. They also took classes to hone their wine-making skills. Next year, they expect to harvest three tons of grapes.

They also are nurturing a blackberry field.

“The blackberries have really taken off,” Regina said. “I’ve been out there all year pruning them back.”

Regina says all their hard work was worth it.

“God does not say it will be easy, He just says don’t worry and don’t fear,” she said. “We give Him all the credit. We couldn’t have done it without Him. It’s been fun and we’re looking forward to our new venture.”