A Spirit of Discovery
The unknown history of an unlikely wine region
In 1662, Spanish missionaries established the first vineyard in North America near present-day El Paso, Texas, nearly 100 years before vines were planted in California or Virginia. Vitis vinifera vines, or “mission grapes,” were planted in the sandy soils of our region and would become sacramental wine used in the Eucharist.
20 years ago, driven by passion and a vision to restore West Texas’ wine history, we planted vines once again in this long-forgotten desert wine terroir. Like the travelers accompanied by the missionaries who first planted here more than three centuries ago, discovery was our inspiration.
Inspired by our region’s past and committed to recreating quality familiar in other parts of the world, we began what would become a successful journey to bring our nation’s oldest and most unlikely wine region back to life. Today, Zin Valle Vineyards produces award-winning varieties pleasing to the most diverse palates.
But our spirit of discovery didn’t stop there, or in this region. Like true pioneers, it’s taken us places!
A world beyond our own
Our passion for preserving wine heritage now spans across the ocean to Montepulciano, Italy — the home of our family’s Tuscan winery, Fattoria Svetoni. This jewel of Italian history was originally commissioned in the 18th century by Pietro Leopoldo, the Grand Duke of Tuscany and Holy Roman Emperor. Previously owned by the iconic Ruffino wine family, Fattoria Svetoni has produced bountiful Sangiovese grape harvests for more than a century. Today, under the leadership of our owner and founder Victor Poulos and his Italian partners, Fattoria Svetoni’s wines have been given the highest ratings by the world’s most renowned wine critics, including James Suckling, Luca Maroni and Decanter World Wine. Once again, inspired by discovery and a commitment to quality, we’ve brought to life heritage in a glass for all to experience.
Now, the edge of Texas meets the soul of Tuscany
You don’t have to cross the Atlantic to sip on our Italy. Those who enjoy being transported can now experience the soul of Tuscany right here in our West Texas tasting room. With the addition of our Fattoria Svetoni wines, we’ve brought together two worlds, two wine histories, into one authentic experience. We welcome anyone with a spirit of discovery, a worldly curiosity and a desire to be surrounded by the like-minded and wine interested!
Wine is our family tie
Ryan Poulos
Owner
My connection to wine began in my childhood. I grew up in El Paso watching my parents restore this region’s wine history. You can’t be raised amidst that amount of perseverance and ambition without being influenced. So in early 2020, I moved my wife and newborn baby boy back to El Paso from Austin so I could take over the family legacy.
Today, as the leader of Zin Valle Vineyards, I’m channeling my parent’s ambition. Continuing to surprise and delight wine drinkers of all kinds with quality wine from this lesser-known but important wine region is my purpose now. My dream is that, someday, my own son will take the reins. If I want to continue to build something for him, Zin Valle Vineyards must never deter from the principle of quality over quantity that my parents established long ago.
In the meantime, I’m enjoying this opportunity to share a laid back and unexpected wine experience with every customer that walks in our tasting room door. I want everyone to leave feeling enriched and connected, never intimidated, by our wine story.
Vic Poulos
Founder
The historical nature of wine has always fascinated me, but it’s the careful craft that goes into making it — part science, part art — that ignited my passion for it. Initially, I was a wine connoisseur who loved the basics of farming. Growing grapes just seemed natural. So, one day, I bought a property formerly owned by Juan Gabriel and converted the horse corrals to a vineyard. My intention was simply to grow and sell quality grapes, but soon, the lure to endeavor into winemaking overcame me. Next, building a tasting room became my obsession. I wanted Zin Valle Vineyards to be the first “quality wine” winery on Highway 28, serving as an educational place for those wanting to learn and taste drier wines than generally produced and sold in the region. To accomplish that, quality over quantity had to become our motto. It remains so today.
I’ve been a worldly wine aficionado for most of my life, intimately exploring a variety of regions from Oregon to Bordeaux; however, my connection to Italian wine — initially driven by my Fattoria Svetoni partners and friends — is very different. Italians truly “connect” with one another over food and wine. Life slows down, bonds are made, friendships deepen in the most remarkable way. They embody what I believe we should most enjoy and value in life. Once I experienced this, I wanted to share this beautiful culture and heritage. Winemaking was how I would do that.
Today, people call me “the wine guy.” They know I taught the first wine classes at the University of Texas at El Paso and approach me for wine knowledge and suggestions. As a wine teacher — formally or informally — my hope is to transfer my passion to others by being a relatable and honest source of information. I want Zin Valle Vineyards to be a place where all people of different races, cultures and socio-economic levels can come together, connect, enjoy a wine experience and leave as more enriched human beings.
Kathi Poulos
Founder
I’m a co-founder of this vineyard and have always been a mighty evangelist for the potential this wine region possesses. But today, my greatest role is to make our customers feel welcome, happy and comfortable with wine. No one should be afraid of trying something new. Wine preferences are deeply personal, and none are superior to any other. We each have our own unique tastes and experiences. I want others to realize that “their own personal” is key. That’s what makes wine tasting fun and enriching!
Wine can be a powerful common denominator. Whether a customer is local or from far away, a first-time taster, or very wine knowledgeable, wine becomes a topic and experience we can all enjoy. This is why it’s important to me to create an environment where there are no “insiders” or “outsiders”. All are welcome here to sip and celebrate our rich wine history!
Alberto Hernandez
Vineyard Manager
I met Mr. Vic through a friend. After a few years of maintaining his property, I was blessed to be asked to care for the vines. I’ve been captivated by the process since my first day. Everything I know I learned here.
In the beginning, I was very nervous. I knew how important Zin Valle Vineyards was to the Poulos family, and it’s a huge responsibility to take care of the vineyard. Each vine is different, and they all need and deserve my attention. I believe that’s the secret to good wine — a focus on every single process, every single step of the way. It’s so important.
Family and lots of hard work and teamwork make Zin Valle Vineyards special. The care and dedication that goes into a single vine might not be obvious at first sight, but it’s definitely reflected in the quality and unique flavors of each bottle.
That’s why my relationship with vines is so much more than wine. A single glass of wine is the product of a lot of hard work. I’m my happiest when I know I’ve brought a smile to someone’s face with wine produced from the vines I’ve watered, pruned and harvested. That’s truly what fuels my passion every day.