Bob Landon’s journey into winemaking might not have seemed likely. Hailing from Kansas City and growing up in a small Missouri town close to Hannibal, which is known as “Mark Twain Country,” his path took an unexpected turn during a seventh-grade science experiment.
“Our science teachers taught us how to ferment grape juice into wine,” Landon shared. “I remember tasting my experiments—probably illegal back then—and I thought, ‘Wow, I really love wine.’ So, I went home and asked my parents if I could make wine at home. They said, ‘Sure, go ahead, but do it in the garage.’” He was just 12 at the time.
This early fascination carried through his studies and into corporate life. After college and graduate school, Landon became a certified public accountant and spent years in finance while crafting beer and wine as hobbies.
His career eventually led him and his wife, who is also a CPA, to Texas for what they thought would be a short stint. Fast forward thirty years, and they still call the Lone Star State home. When work hinted at pulling them back to Kansas City, they decided they wanted to stay in Texas, prompting Landon to pivot away from his corporate career.
“We saved some money, made wise investments, and opened a winery,” he explained. Landon Winery has been operating for 20 years now in McKinney, Texas. “I’m doing everything I can to avoid losing money,” Landon confessed. “I know it might sound silly, but I see how other wineries lose cash, and I try not to repeat those mistakes.”
Take, for example, the cost of a wine barrel—around $1,000 before any wine is even produced. Plus, each harvest takes time and investment. “You’ve got to consider everything that adds up, from labor to equipment to the facilities,” he noted. “Everything costs money.”
His financial planning has been key to surviving and thriving in the Texas winemaking scene, and his wife ensures that any major expenses are backed up with solid business cases. “She’s always there in the back of my mind,” he said.
While many Americans associate California with winemaking, Landon argues that Texas deserves recognition as well, now ranking as the third-largest wine producer in the country. “The climate here is reminiscent of the Rioja region in Spain,” he pointed out. “Sure, Texas is hot during the day, but it cools down considerably at night. I really love making Pinot Noir.”
Interestingly, Landon’s 2019 Tempranillo took first place in its category at international competitions. “I think it caught a lot of folks off guard that Texas wines could be number one globally,” he remarked.
He produces this exclusive Tempranillo under the “Legacy” label, and it’s been showcased as part of offerings for the Fox News American Wine Club. “If you haven’t tried Texas wines in a while, I highly recommend giving them another shot,” Landon suggested.
