“The Beginning of Our Trellises For Our Vineyard” copyright 2015, John J. Rigo, co-owner of Stewart-Rigo Winery
The Coming to the Cedar Creek Lake area of East Texas, a top-notch, quality vineyard and winery created by the Stewart-Rigo Family. The beginnings of Created Passion in Wine Making and a future wine tasting Event Center in Henderson County, Texas.
Trellises Installs on Stewart-Rigo Winery in Eustace, Texas, copyright 2015, John J. Rigo co-owner
The picture of several trellises installed this date of February 15th, 2015 is the beginning of 22 rows of such trellises that will be 200 feet long. They are faced running North and South at 10 degrees to maximize sun exposure.
“Lowe’s of Gun Barrel City, Texas Will Not Extent 10% Discount to Working Farm Veterans!” copyright 2015, John J. Rigo, Texas’ Commentator and Poet
Are you an honorably discharged veteran who owns a farm with a AG tax exception? This should prove to be an interesting read.
Lowe’s Logo courtesy of Google Image Search. “Is Lowe’s of Gun Barrel City Texas dishonoring working farm Veterans?” copyright 2015 John J. Rigo
There is no doubt about it, Lowe’s the home improvement store located in Gun Barrel City, Texas has the “Only Game in Town.” This is especially so in this Cedar Creek Lake Community 45 minutes North of Dallas, Texas. What is especially interesting that this area is also known for having a large population of “Honorably Discharge Veterans.”
Many are recent returnees from war zones in foreign lands who thru retirement or various disabilities have settled to the Cedar Creek Lake area of Texas. Many of these individuals live on small farms in the area, seeking to make a living off the land in the area with an AG exception in place.
As to myself, I am an honorably discharged Air Force Veteran with four years of…
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“The Dream Becomes a Reality in Earnest” copyright 2015, John J. Rigo, Commentary on Stewart-Rigo Winery
Moving forward at the beginning’s of the vineyard planting at Stewart-Rigo Winery in Eustace, Texas in Henderson County, Texas.
Unloading VSP Trellis for vine wire. Average weight 300 lbs. Hole for each nine inches each. Will encompass an acre and a half. Copyright 2015 John J. Rigo, Stewart-Rigo Winery in Eustace, Texas.
VSP Trellis for wine wire hanging system. Start of planting project for acre and half. Copyright 2015, John J. Rigo, Stewart-Rigo Winery in Eustace, Texas.
Starting a vineyard is much more than starting a vegetable garden. The success or most of time, failure of such a dream is common. Many a started vineyard today has rows of wood posts with wire and no plants or at best the dying remains of once was a dream in a vineyard. We have prepared long and hard for our dream. 185 hours of study thru UC at Davis, out of California. Knowledge is power in the wine growing business. There are no short-cuts. Finding the right soil in the right location…
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“A Sense of Spirit” copyright 2013 John J. Rigo, upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”
After 41 years as a resident of McKinney, Texas, we now call Eustace, Texas in East Texas our Home. Along the Wilcox aquafer is some of the most beautiful land in East Texas along 2709 for a length of eight and half miles. The future of some of the greatest wine growers in East Texas lie here. Come and enjoy the beauty that only God can create with a Passion of man in creating great wines.
Our proud new sign of “Stewart-Rigo Winery” on the front gate of our future vineyard and winery. Copyright 2014 John J. Rigo
Stewart-Rigo Winery
Stewart-Rigo Farm and Ranch of Texas, copyright 2015, John J. Rigo
upon these twenty-nine acres.
Welcome to East Texas A preview and slice of heaven of where my…
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“Praise To Yahweh This Day” copyright 2012 John J. Rigo, upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”
Greetings to those out there in Web Land. Read on as to what God prepares for the enemies of those who believe that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior. Remember this posting when hard times fall upon you in 2015. There will be peace in my spirit knowing you have been destroyed.
“Praise and Glory to Yahweh My Lord and God’ Courtesy of allposters.com
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“Linda Stewart-Rigo, CEO, Stewart-Rigo Winery, copyright 2015, John J. Rigo co-owner

Linda Stewart-Rigo, CEO of Stewart-Rigo Winery: Consultations available on vineyard management and wine making in East Texas, Copyright 2015 John J. Rigo
Mrs. Linda Stewart-Rigo has just completed 185 hours thru five on-line courses thru UC at Davis in California in “Wine Making.” The course qualifies Mrs. Stewart-Rigo the expertise to consulate in all phrases of vineyard management and wine making in the Henderson County area of East Texas. For rates and availability of her schedule for such consultations contact her at lonestarorganics@msn.com or contact her cell at:
469-450-4100
"Blessings, A Special Gift” (Revised) selection from "Roses Amidst Thorns” copyright 2005, John J. Rigo, Texas’ Poet
This first day of the New Year of 2015 is a time to contemplate the blessings behind and before you.
Taken Sunrise on Black Friday, November 25th 2011 in Gun Barrel City on Cedar Creek Lake in Texas at OZ our lakehome
The following poem from my first published book, has been a favorite poem for many years. It has been republished several times in the Dallas Morning News, The McKinney Courier Gazette, and various major web sites. From my family to yours, our best wishes and blessings for 2015.
Over the last year, I am especially appreciative of all the positive feedback I have received on this WordPress web site. Thank You All!
Blessings, a special gift from God. Given in prayer given when no hope seems apparent. Blessings bring joys when there is darkness laughter where there are tears. Could these blessings be but tears from God? A way that our God lets us know, that He truly is there and yes He…View original post 70 more words
“Today We Lost Our Beloved Pets” copyright 2012, Updated December 27th, 2014 with Video Link, upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”
Next to the death of a family member, as terrible to one’s heart is the lost of long-time pets.
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“Our New Name Sign Is Here!” copyright 2014, John J. Rigo co-owner of “Stewart-Rigo Winery”
"Hugs" copyright 2009 John J. Rigo (Revised) upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy"
If you consider yourself the “non-hugger type” this Christmas Season of 2014, consider changing your attitude. You will be happier and glad you did.

"My Beautiful Church Home" copyright 2009 John J. Rigo, upcoming book, "Passion Amidst Apathy"
It is Christmas 2014 and thousands will crowd local churches. Many who claim to believe in Jesus Christ, this is their once a year attendance of a church. Belief in the Love and Mission of Jesus should be a yearly worship and appreciation of His many blessings in our own lives. There is “No Church” that equals the Beauty of God’s Church.
Picture taken with Samsung smart phone on December 10th, 2014 at 706 at Northwood Shores on Cedar Creek Lake in East Texas. Copyright 2014 by John J. Rigo
View from “Oz” on Cedar Creek Lake, Texas, February 25th 2012 at 7 a.m.
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"One Night" copyright 2005 John J. Rigo "Rainbows Amidst Storms"
Sharing This Christmas season with my friends and neighbors in Henderson County, Texas.
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“I Remember Fondly Christmas’ Past” copyright 2005 by John J. Rigo, selection from “Rainbows Amidst Thorns”
It seems a little early for a Christmas Story and Poem and yet with the stores filled with Christmas, it seems right.
(The little boy’s story in the poem is true and a time from my own past.) This Christmas Season of 2014, I was thinking of my Father. This poem mentions him several times. I remember how dirty he was when he came home from work when I was a little boy. My Father was an iron and steel worker. After he came home and took a bath, my Mother would then attempt to clean the ring out of the bathtub from his bath. Many times with close to a half hour of scrubbing, she still could not get it out. In those days, my Father made about a hundred dollars a week. He worked very hard for that money.
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I remember fondly Christmas’ past our first tree alive with lights before it caught fire later that week. I remember fondly the Christmas with toys. Never before had my…View original post 267 more words
“A Great Accomplishment For Our Winery and Vineyard” copyright 2014, John J. Rigo, Texas’ Commentator, Poet and Co-Owner of Stewart-Rigo Winery
A Great Accomplishent and Banner Day for our Future Winery and Vineyard in East Texas.
I am proud to announce that as of yesterday, that my bride of twenty-five years, Linda Stewart-Rigoreceived her Certificate of Completion from UC of Davis out of California for 185 hours of work toward “Winemaking.” The course consisted of five parts and took two years to complete on-line. It qualifies my wife to be a manager and winemaker for “any” vineyard in the world with these credentials.
With the recent news that Napa valley in the future will now greatly restrict the approval any new vineyards and wineries, East Texas is now considered the next greatest explosion of vineyards and wineries in the world. This is due to great growing conditions, availability of the Wilcox Aquifer and the reasonable acquisition of such lands in this part of Texas: http://stewart-rigowinery.com
Visit us soon in East Texas, 45 minutes from downtown Dallas, to see the fulfillment of our dream in Henderson…
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“Bringing Beauty to FM 2709 in Henderson County, Texas” copyright 2014 John J. Rigo, co-owner “Stewart-Rigo Winery”

More Re-Bar Repainting on our fencing on Stewart-Rigo Winery formerly Silver Star Winery of Texas. Photo copyright 2014 John J. Rigo

Re-Painting of Bar Fencing on Silver Star Farm and Ranch and Silver Star Winery of Texas. Photo copyright by John J. Rigo 2014
There is a beautiful quality in bringing beauty back to a community. In a country community along a Farm to Market road in Henderson County, such is the current case with beginning painting of the bar fencing on our farm and ranch on the beginning of FM 2709 in Henderson County, Texas. It is amazing what a paint brush with shiny paint will do to a place. Hopefully, my neighbors will get the idea and break out those painting skills!
“High Quality Hay For Sale in Texas” copyright 2014, John J. Rigo, Stewart-Rigo Winery
We have high quality hay for sale in East Texas. The hay is available for delivery for a reasonable additional fee by 18 Wheeler to points in Texas in volume purchases (additional delivery charge per bale is between $15 and $25 a bale, depending on distance from Eustace, Texas). The breakdown of available product is as follows:
Net-Rolled 4×5 Rye and Coastal Cattle level hay at $35 a bale.
Net-Rolled 4×5 highest quality cattle and horse hay heavily fertilized with N (400 lbs per acre) Coastal at $65 a bale.
String-Roller 5×6 Coastal. Very High Protein rating at 12.9. Place winner at 2013 Kaufman County Hay Show. Less than 30 bales in this catergory that are left at $45 a bale.
Cash transactions only accepted with partial prepayment prior to actual delivery. Must have tax exception certificate to avoid paying sales tax. Contact Linda Rigo at 469-450-4144. No answer, leave name and number for call-back.
“Our Recent Trip to “Texas’ Grape Camp” in Fredericksburg, Texas” Copyright 2013, John J. Rigo co-owner, Silver Star Winery of Texas
We have just returned from a three-day trip to “Texas‘ Grape Camp” in Fredericksburg, Texas: www.txwines.org/grapecamp/. Knowledge is truly power in determining the success of a future winery and vineyard on our farm in Eustace, Texas. If you are a land owner in the area and wish for to share our knowledge in a consultant format, in starting a winery and a vineyard, do not hesitate to contact us. You will find our consultant fees reasonable and will save you thousands of dollars in planning your own dream vineyard in East Texas.
“We Won Second Place in Hay Event in Kaufman County” copyright 2013 John J. Rigo co-owner Silver Star Winery of Texas
This evening my wife and I attended the 2013 Floyd Smith Memorial Hay Show at the Kaufman County Fair Grounds. We had placed one of currently owned 5 X 6 Rolls of hay for analysis and judging for the event. We are proud to announce as the only out of county entry from Henderson County, we placed “Second” in this event in the category of “Other Bermuda Grass.” Pictures of the actual analysis sheets will be posted tomorrow. Our actual % of CP came to 12.9. We were within a whisker of the first place winner. There were 13 entries in our category. For newbie farmers in the East Texas area we are very proud and thankful for our placement for our fine hay which is currently for sale at $70 a roll.
“Hicks knows horses: Longtime veterinarian specializes in horse medicine” Commentary by John J. Rigo, co-owner Silver Star Winery of Texas, copyright 2013

Group picture of Dr. Steve Hicks in backround and Linda Stewart Rigo) (foreround) of Silver Star Winery of Texas. Dr. explaining to AG group about different kinds of grass. Copyright 2013 John J. Rigo
Last night I had the blessing of being the guest of one my wife’s AG classes through the junior college in Athens, Texas. A class of approximately nine with my wife and I attended a seminar on the proper feeding of horses on Dr. Hick’s farm in Palestine, Texas. Without a doubt, Dr. Hicks is truly one of the finest vets I have ever met in my life. Following is an article about him and his long history as a vet. Click the following link for his full story: Hicks knows horses: Longtime veterinarian specializes in horse medicine. A picture of my wife, Linda with Dr. Hicks will be forthcoming. Linda is currently in the mist of a full semester of two AG courses through the college and another winery on-line course, part II of a five-part course through the UC of Davis out of California. Knowledge is power when it comes to our forthcoming winery and vineyard in this part of East Texas.