HOWARD COUNTY/GLASSCOCK COUNTY, TX — A castle located near the Howard / Glasscock County line was opened up for the public to host a wine-tasting event that featured Howard County’s first and only vineyard C4 Ranch Vineyard, owned by Shelby and Carlos Cervantes.
This was a two-location event where guests could visit the vineyard and learn more about it. According to Shelby’s father R.D. Hall, who was onsite at the vineyard assisting with the event, the property was all cotton fields when it was purchased in the early 2000’s. They planted the vineyard in 2020 and are soon expecting their 3rd crop. There are 27 rows and 125 vines on each row.
“The first crop, they got a few grapes in 2021. Shelby made some jelly. 2022, they got about 2,700 pounds. Last year, it was 17-18,000 pounds. They’re looking for maybe more this year since the plants or more mature,” said Hall.
The second part of the event was a tour of Lazy E Retreat, the castle located just a few miles away from the vineyard. Guests were allowed to roam throughout the castle. According to Brenda Edwards, owner of the Lazy E Retreat, her husband began building it in the early 1970s but never actually had it finished. After her husband passed away five years ago, she decided to open the private property as an event center. She told KBest News the property is too pretty to just sit and deteriorate.
“So this was a special place. He loved people. I love people. I like parties. I like to entertain, so I decided that I was gonna put a venue,” said Edwards.
She used architect Kelly Cook with KDC Associates of Midland, the same architect working on the improvements at the Comanche Trail Amphitheater. Initially there were structural issues with the walls but had a structural engineer of Dallas come in to assist with the project.
Edwards went on to say that she’s not completely finished with construction on the castle. She hopes to add a sporting clay feature and a spa that she hopes to open later this year.
The two-day event featured other Texas wineries as well such as Adelphos Cellars of Lorenzo, TX; The Triple D Winery & Event Center of Brownfield, TX; and Y Knot Vineyard of Loop, TX.
Photos of C4 Ranch Vineyard in Howard County:
Photos from the wine tasting event at Lazy E Retreat:
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