Landry Vineyards LLC — Attraction in Louisiana

Like many folks, my only experience of Landry's Vineyards was via an outdoor concert. It was very nice, and I plan to come again. For context, I'm not big on wine; my very refined palate can (usually) identify white from red... maybe. That said, I thought the wine was tasty (see? So refined), with sweet, light, and fruity varieties available. Our group bought 2 bottles (Redneck Red and Peach Muscadine) and enjoyed both for less than $30 total (cups provided). Next time I want to try one of the port wines, which are infused with brandy (I learned that from my jaunt at Landry's, so it's also educational). Our group also enjoyed the boudin available for purchase—especially the crawfish and shrimp boudin, which was very flavorful and just the right texture—not too mushy, not too dry. The jambalaya was drier than I like to make it, more like how I like my dirty rice, but it was generously loaded with meat and worth the $5 for sure. We found the prices for the food and beverages very reasonable. I didn't try them, but Landry's also offers wine bellinis in frozen daiquiri machines that seemed to be popular.

I'd like to see some bigger signs posted up to direct traffic, especially to replace the one outside in the pavilion above the wine bar. I found myself waiting in the wrong line, and saw a few other patrons doing the same. A poster board-size sign with clearer arrows would be perfect. A couple of employees posted at the entrance to direct newcomers on where to go would be very helpful as well. The website encourages customers to bring cash to pay to facilitate faster checkout, but I didn't notice much difference, after waiting in both lines. I have to wonder if a coffee-shop style line would help speed the checkout process, as it seems like folks behind the counter were doing double duty trying to pour wine and take orders, and maybe losing efficiency? Hard to say from the outside looking in. Plan to spend about 15 minutes in line for wine, about half that for food (if you arrive after 5:00, like we did).

Overall, we had a good time, it seemed like it was a safe place for parents to let their children run around, and our group of 20-somethings enjoyed watching our futures play out in front of us in the form of our olders and betters dancing their hearts out in front of the band.

Final note: you'd never guess the source of one of my most favorable impressions of the place... the portable toilets. Landry's contracted some service called Bare (Bear?) Necessities come out and let me tell you, it is the most bougie outdoor restroom experience I have ever had. It's in a camper/trailer-style portable building, one for men, one for women, each with a few stalls inside and a full sink, and very clean. So if you have heard that the only facilities available are of the portable persuasion, and were perturbed, never fear—the...

Very disappointing! We were really looking forward to stopping over at the winery on our way across the country. I read all of the instructions before our arrival.

As we pulled up to the area, the traffic of both cars and people was very heavy due to a concert. I understood from the instructions the RV spots were across the road from the event but we could not tell where to go. I pulled over on the side of the road to let traffic by and the idea was for me to run up to the front gate to ask where to pull the RV while my family waited in the truck. As I approached the gate a uniformed “warrant” officer hurried towards me yelling, “You can’t park there!” Ok, a minor misunderstanding. I started explaining that we had a reservation and didn’t know where to go. He yelled at me twice more that I couldn’t park on the side of the road. I told him to stop yelling at me. He then told me I couldn’t stay there at all and to leave the property immediately. I again tried to explain we had a reservation to camp there but didn’t know where to park. He again told me to leave. I asked him if he intended on arresting me for illegal parking noting that his emergency vehicle was illegally parked just beyond my truck facing the wrong way towards oncoming traffic. I told him I wanted to speak to the property owner. The “officer” demanded I, “Stay right there!” At this point I had absolutely been pushed too far. This all unfolded in front of my teenagers who watched this ridicules scene from the truck. I admit I cursed at this “officer” when he wouldn’t stop yelling at me and told him if I was not under arrest I would stand where I wanted while waiting for the owner.

A man approached me while I was seated in my truck and said we could no longer stay there because I used a curse word. Yes, he said the curse word right there in front of my kids. Nice going. Then he told me the officer was right and we could not park there. Ok, at this point I felt even my own brain cell count dropping to their level. All this for stopping to ask for directions from a uniformed officer! Welcome to West Monroe, home of Barney Fife and a misguided small business owner. The owner said the officer would quit if he let us stay so we had to leave. No problem there. I wouldn’t dream of staying at that point. I joined Harvest Hosts to support small family owned business. Never again. BTW, I am a thirty year retired police supervisor and ex chief of police. Where I come from, Barney’s only bullet would have been taken away for this unprofessional behavior. RVers beware and watch...

Second day of travel on our way to Florida to see family. We are making a point to stay at #HarvestHosts along the way. #landryvineyards. If you are passing through north central Louisiana, stop here! Excellent, unexpected wine making skills on top of a beautiful vista. Really. The wine. We have stopped at many small vineyards outside of the heavy hitters in CA/WA and what they're producing here warrants a stop. The Highlights: French and American Oak finishings, 18 acres of local grapes along w/ whole CA/WA fruit is used to produce some traditional and unique offerings. We left w/ a Blanc Du Boise and a 5yr old Tawny Port. And chatting with Libby Landry during the tasting was a refreshing way to start our wind down from a long day of work and travel. Her Southern Cajun accent reminded us we were no longer in KC! She could read the phone book and it'd be amazing. ;)

Last night, after a tasting and restock of van wine, we enjoyed a nice southern meal in town at #warehouse1 upon recommendations from Libby at the Vineyard. Also well worth the stop if you want a taste of well done regional cuisine. We had: Redfish covered in Shrimp Etouffe served over Jalapeño Cheese Grits - yum and of course a plate of fried fare: Catfish, Shrimp, Oysters, Fried Green Tomatoes and Jalapeño hushpuppies - also lots of yum.

Now we are waking up to this view. We have cell service, and can put in a nice morning of work while enjoying the peace of the Vineyard before getting on the road. ♥️✌👍

Videos in first comment. Not too bad for coffee and dogs on a leash in one hand, and the phone videoing/taking pics in the other...