Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy De Foster.
Hi Nancy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story is rooted in the literal meaning of ‘Paniolo’—Hawaiian for cowboy. As a teenager, I worked on a ranch in Hawaii where I first learned the values of hard work and the ‘Aloha Spirit.’ This foundation of service stayed with me throughout a 26-year career with the Honolulu Police Department.
After retiring, my family and I moved to the Texas Hill Country to invest in the community I now call home. I actually came out of a three-year retirement to step back into the line of duty, serving another two years as the Bandera City Marshal—bringing my total law enforcement legacy to 28 years.
Transitioning from city leadership wasn’t something I planned, but it became clear that my personal commitment to transparency and community-first advocacy no longer fit the City’s specific agenda.
However, I’ve always believed that when one door closes, it’s because God has a better plan. Looking back, being asked to step away was a true blessing in disguise; it was His way of clearing the path so I could pour my heart and integrity into Paniolo Winery.
While the winery is new to Bandera, we have been crafting our own wine for over a decade with a focus on reducing preservatives and sulfites. Today, I’ve traded my badge for a wine thief, and we’ve grown into a community hub where we celebrate shared traditions and island hospitality—building our community one glass of wine at a time.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but these challenges make the final result so much more rewarding. When we acquired our historical residence, it had been unoccupied for almost six years. The infrastructure was a significant hurdle—we spent about five months tackling old plumbing, outdated electrical systems, and structural issues, not to mention that critters had created their own homestead in the attic!
We did the majority of the restoration work ourselves, while my husband maintained a full-time job outside of the winery. Beyond the physical labor, we’ve also been researching the prior owners and occupants of the home. We’ve received some amazing photographs from a local Bandera historian, Troy Adamietz, to assist us with preserving and sharing the Bandera history. It’s all so exciting, I get goose bumps when I talk about it!
We actually plan to add a blog to our website soon to chronicle the history of the house and our progress. Navigating these obstacles is just part of the investment we are making to preserve a piece of Texas history for our community.
As you know, we’re big fans of Paniolo Winery. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Paniolo Winery is far more than a typical tasting room; we like to think of it as a ‘working man’s bar’ with a focus on premium craft wine and great food at affordable prices.
What truly sets us apart is our commitment to our local community and the environment. Because Bandera County lacks a glass recycling program, we launched an eco-friendly Growler Program that encourages reuse and sustainability. We’ve also ditched the traditional wine club model in favor of a Loyalty Program that rewards every visit, allowing our customers to enjoy our space without the pressure of a monthly commitment.
We take immense pride in supporting our fellow Texas businesses and seeing our community grow together. A great example of this is our partnership with TJ’s at the Old Forge. They went through the extra effort to install nitrogen taps specifically to carry four of our wines. We store our wines in kegs and keep them on nitrogen to ensure every glass is as fresh as the first—and currently, we are the only winery in Bandera utilizing this system.
We craft all our own wine and incorporate local products like Bandera Coffee Roasters, Skyline Gelato, and Toddy’s Blends into our offerings. Our events are designed to bring people together—from our Monday night themed potlucks to our upcoming ‘Read Between the Wines’ book club, which is highlighting a local author.
Beyond the wine, my husband, Orlando, creates and prepares our entire menu, and his cooking has become a local sensation that guests rave about. We are also proud sponsors of the Riding On Faith Rodeo this summer.
Our intent is simple: to provide a unique, inclusive experience that combines the best of Texas hospitality with the Aloha of Hawaii, something you truly won’t find anywhere else. We are – “Serving Aloha Deep in the Heart of Texas”
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Most people see the wine and the Aloha, but they might not realize that this entire venture is a labor of love built on a legacy of protection. After 28 years in law enforcement, I’ve learned that the most important thing you can provide a community is a sense of belonging and safety.
What surprises guests the most is that we’ve taken a historic 1870s home—one that sat silent for years—and filled it with life again. I often tell people that I traded my handcuffs for a wine tap, and while the tools have changed, the mission remains the same: taking care of people. Whether I’m advocating for our town’s future at an EDC meeting or pouring a glass of our nitrogen-tapped wine, I’m still serving Bandera.
At the end of the day, I want people to know that Paniolo Winery isn’t just a business; it’s our home, and when you’re here, you’re ‘ohana. We didn’t just build a tasting room; we built a place where the spirit of the Hawaiian cowboy and the grit of the Texas Hill Country meet—and everyone has a seat at the table.
Pricing:
- $7.50 per 6 oz glass of any of our wines
- $22 for a 24 oz carafe’
- $30 for a 24 oz Growler, Refills are $22, yes, it’s a whole bottle of wine
- $8 for garlic butter escargot with dipping bread
- $15 for Bacon wrapped Dates stuffed with goat cheese
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.PanioloWineryTX.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paniolowinerytx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PanioloWinery/
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/1GyXUWQStp
