Wilson Valley Releases Its Texas Winter Wheat Whiskey
This whiskey started as a crop in a Bell County field.
On Saturday, October 10, Wilson Valley Mercantile will release the first bottles of its Texas Winter Wheat Whiskey, made with grain grown right on the Evans family farm.
The mash bill is 51% hard red winter wheat, 34% corn and 15% winter oats. Wilson Valley grows all three, distills the whiskey on the property and bottles it there too.
That's what owner and distiller John Evans means when he calls Wilson Valley “Seed to Sip.”
And this first release is tiny.
Just 106 bottles will be available, with a limit of two per person.
Five Generations of Farming. Now Whiskey.
The Evans family's connection to this land goes back to 1867.
John Evans is the fifth generation to farm it. Today, the family's wheat, corn and oats aren't just agricultural crops. They're becoming Texas whiskey a few steps away from where they were grown.
There's even a sixth generation already working behind the bar.
Wilson Valley doesn't distribute its whiskey, either. If you want a bottle, you're going to have to visit the place where it was grown, distilled and bottled.
In this case, that feels less like an inconvenience and more like part of the point.
I spent some time telling the larger story of Wilson Valley, the Evans family and what “Seed to Sip” actually means in a feature for the Texas Whiskey Trail. If you're curious about the place behind the bottle, read my Wilson Valley Mercantile story here.
You Can Taste It Before Release Day
You don't necessarily have to wait until October 10 to find out what's in the bottle.
Wilson Valley is already pouring the Texas Winter Wheat Whiskey in the tasting room, so visitors can try it ahead of the official bottle release.
There will eventually be more bottles, but John says not before spring.
So if you taste it and decide one needs to come home with you, October 10 is your first shot.
Whiskey Release and Live Music
Doors open at 2 p.m., with bottles of Texas Winter Wheat Whiskey available at the distillery.
Collin Boutwell performs from 6–9 p.m., giving you a pretty solid reason to stick around after securing your bottle.
Whiskey grown on the farm, live music and an evening at Wilson Valley.
There are worse ways to spend a Saturday.
Event Details
Event: Texas Winter Wheat Whiskey Release
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Doors Open: 2 p.m.
Live Music: Collin Boutwell, 6–9 p.m.
Location: Wilson Valley Mercantile
Address: 2421 Wilson Valley Loop, Little River-Academy, TX 76554
Texas Winter Wheat Whiskey
Mash Bill: 51% Hard Red Winter Wheat, 34% Corn, 15% Winter Oats
First Release: 106 bottles
Bottle Limit: Two per person
Availability: Distillery only
The whiskey is currently available to taste in the Wilson Valley tasting room ahead of the bottle release.
Learn More About Wilson Valley
There's a lot more happening here than a single whiskey release.
Read my Wilson Valley Mercantile: Where the Road Leads Home – Texas' First Seed to Sip Distillery feature on the Texas Whiskey Trail to learn more about the Evans family, the farm and how Wilson Valley turns grain grown on the property into Texas whiskey.
You can also browse more Wilson Valley Mercantile events, explore upcoming Central Texas whiskey events, or visit the full Texas Whiskey Events Calendar for releases, tastings, festivals and distillery events happening around the state.
Event Disclaimer
Release details, bottle availability, purchase limits and event schedules may change. With only 106 bottles in the initial release, verify current availability directly with Wilson Valley Mercantile before making the trip specifically to purchase a bottle.
Support Texas Whiskey Geek
If the Texas Whiskey Events Calendar helps you find your next bottle or your next road trip, check out the Texas Whiskey Geek Merch Store.
Merch purchases help support distillery visits, whiskey reviews, event coverage and the completely reasonable practice of driving across Texas because somebody grew some wheat and put it in a barrel.
• 65% polyester, 35% cotton pique
• Relaxed fit that runs large
• Flat knit collar and cuffs
• Metal buttons with dyed-to-match plastic rims
• Side vents for breathability
• Product sourced from Ethiopia
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!