(Wines&Vines) - When Meredith Eaton and her husband, George, opened Firelight Vineyards, a small winery in the tiny town of Valley View, Texas, in 2015, she described it as a “leap of faith.” 

Located on the sleepy plaza of a town with around 750 residents, one might think the small winery had a slim chance of finding success. But the Eatons had joined the fast-growing Texas wine industry, which has enjoyed tremendous support from state residents who remain eager to enjoy local wines made by fellow Texans. It also helped that Valley View is right off a highway leading from the Dallas metro area to a large casino. A billboard has proved quite effective in convincing folks heading to the casino to stop and try some Firelight wines.