FEATURE STORY

In Vino Felicitas

Britt Davis turns old Elder School building into wine destination

BY LUCAS STROUGH | lstrough@kilgorenewsherald.com PHOTOS BY LUCAS STROUGH

Kilgore is known for many things, from oil derricks to high-kicking Rangerettes and Shakespearean plays. Now Kilgore may become known in East Texas as a destination for lovers of fine wine.

Britt Davis opened “Britt’s Wine & Dine” earlier this year at 400 N. Garcia St., the site of the former Elder School. Combining his longtime passion for wine with sweat and hard work, Davis has slowly transformed the school building into a unique getaway for Kilgore and East Texans.

“In the first weekend of February, we did a soft launch and a soft opening. That worked out pretty well. We’re heading into month two physically down here. We’re moving along,” Davis said in March.

Now, the tasting room is open and Britt’s has been voted “Best Restaurant” in the 2022 News Herald's Reader's Choice Awards.

In an old cafeteria and multipurpose room, Davis and others installed handbuilt furnishings, transforming the look and feel of the space.

“We built a wall in this room, we painted, cleaned up the floors, took out the drop ceiling and added lighting. We also brought in the bars. It was an open, stinking mess! It was horrible. We put in windows. It’s been a real transformation. It’s a good feeling,” he said.

With an all-walnut bar and wine barrels repurposed into tables, the tasting room is unlike many other businesses in the area.

The realization of his dream has been a long time in the making, Davis said.

“I’ve been wanting to do this for a few years. Well, more than a few years. It’s really picked up speed in the last couple of years. I’ve got my own wines now. Essentially, we are a winery and this is more of our tasting bar.”

Davis first developed a taste for wine and an appreciation for wine culture while studying at the University of California-Davis. He grew up near some of the most prized wine-producing regions in the United States. While in college, many of his fraternity brothers were winemakers, and some went on to work for successful wineries and vineyards.

Following his studies, he got the chance to travel the world and

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1. Britt Davis’s supporters, including members of CrossFit Kilgore, are pictured at the purchase of the historical building located on Texas 31. Courtesy Photo 2. Britt Davis is the owner of Britt's Wine and Dine and Kilgore's new venue called Old School. Courtesy Photo 3. Britt Davis is bringing to life an event center and business venue. Courtesy Photo 4. A selection of Britt's wine is pictured. Lucas Strough

sample wines from other nations and cultures. He has brought all of these experiences back to East Texas and combined them to produce his own series of wines while creating a place for locals to relax, unwind and enjoy themselves.

On his return, Davis began hosting wine tastings in his living room and later for clients in private venues. That is the experience he hopes to provide at the newly opened winery and tasting room.

“I want this to be a destination for people to come from all over East Texas,” Davis said.

“We’re on the Piney Woods Wine Trail. We’re one of the 20 or so wineries or so in East Texas, but in Kilgore, we’re kind of sitting in the middle of all of them right here. We’ve got the highway, so you’ve got access between Tyler and Longview and Marshall. We’re that midway place where people can come in after work. We had a lady call us and she said ‘We don’t get off work until 5 on Friday. Can y’all stay open a little later so I can bring all my girlfriends?’ They just want to have a place to come and hang out and have a little wine and some food.”

Britt’s Wine & Dine occupies the Old Elder School, which was at one time a segregated school for Black students in Kilgore. Later in its life, it became an alternative school until it was closed about 10 years ago. At this stage, Davis says the property is in “phase one” of its transformation and he has future plans to add dinner theater and outdoor seating.

“People want to know the history of the school. At one time, it was what they called the ‘colored’ school. It was also the alternative school. It kind of ended on that about 10 years ago. We’ve got kids who were at the alternative school who are now part of our wine club. Isn’t that funny? "I really want it to be a place where Kilgore can have their private parties and their receptions and just come out and enjoy a glass of wine, maybe a meal, to get away from town and to be a destination where people can come and relax.”

Britt’s Wine & Dine is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. To learn more about Britt’s Wine and Dine, visit https://brittswine.com/ or call 1-833-4Britts (427-4887).