Del Rio in Val Verde County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Val Verde Winery
(Founded 1883)
Photographed by Brian Anderson, September 5, 2021
1. Val Verde Winery Marker
Known as Texas' oldest bonded winery; only survivor of about 25 once operated in the state.
Founded by Frank Qualia, who came in 1881 to Del Rio (then a town of 200) from Milan, Italy. In 1883 he married Mary Franke. Their children were John, Chris, Margaret, Charles, Mary, Louis, and Jeanne. The Qualias and neighbors planted vineyards and made wine in old country tradition.
Original winery, still in use, is kept cool by 18-inch adobe walls. Louis Qualia and wife Kathleen use Spanish Lenoir and Herbemont grapes in making 2000 gallons of wine yearly.
Erected 1971 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 5627.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.
Location. 29° 20.767′ N, 100° 53.746′ W. Marker is in Del Rio, Texas, in Val Verde County. It is on Qualia Drive west of Parkway Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Qualia Drive, Del Rio TX 78840, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mason-Foster House (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Taylor-Rivers House (approx. Ό mile away); Roy Bean, C. S. A. (approx. 0.4 miles away); Old Perry Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Seminole-Negro Scouts (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Cassinelli Gin House (approx. half a mile away); Dr. John R. Brinkley (approx. half a mile away); Brinkley Mansion (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Del Rio.
Also see . . . Val Verde Winery - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on November 4, 2021, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.)
Photographed by Brian Anderson, September 5, 2021
2. Val Verde Winery Marker
Photographed by Brian Anderson, September 5, 2021
3. Val Verde Winery
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2021, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 585 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 3, 2021, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.
