JKC Cellars

Join us at the Fun Table, Fort Smith's local winery, where we offer a welcoming atmosphere and a variety of handcrafted wines. Our establishment is located in the historic district of Chaffee Crossing, which was once home to the U.S. Army Training Center, Fort Chaffee. We are proud to preserve the history of this unique location by using reclaimed materials in the renovation of our space. The wooden floors, interior walls, and even the bartop are made from reclaimed materials, creating a sustainable winery with a warm and inviting ambiance.

The Winery

John and Kristie, the owners of JKC Cellars, discovered their love of wine during a trip to Northern California, which included a visit to Napa Valley. Inspired by what they tasted, John began making small-batch beer and wine shortly after. With a passion for the craft and a desire to expand, they eventually opened their own winery in Fort Smith, Arkansas. John is a sales representative during the day, and Kristie is a retired math teacher. In their free time, they enjoy being grandparents, taking road trips, and sipping a glass of wine on the porch of their 1920s home.

Our Wines

At JKC Cellars, we believe in crafting wines that reflect our personality and the unique character of the Arkansas region. We source our grape juice from vineyards across the globe, including California, Washington, Italy, and Chile, and create our wines in our historic warehouse located in Chaffee Crossing. Each bottle is handcrafted, tested for quality, and aged appropriately before being poured into your glass. Our wine selection includes:

• Gameday Rose: A fruity, satisfying blush that's perfect for any sporting event. This Rose is a Zinfandel and Moscato blend that's sure to please.

• Taylor Peach Chardonnay: An all-time family favorite, this Chardonnay is enticingly sweet, with a hint of fruitiness that will remind you of juicy peaches.

• Baltz Blackberry: This sweet, chilled Cabernet has a succulent blackberry flavor that's reminiscent of wild berries picked straight from the vine.

• Emily's Chardonnay: This classic Chardonnay style is clean and crisp, but provides a tantalizingly buttery finish that will leave you wanting more.

• Tony's Super Tuscan: An Italian blend that's classy and assertive, just like Tony, the chief architect of JKC Cellars renovations. Full-bodied and dry, this mahogany red exudes earthy undertones with subtle hints of vanilla and raspberries.

• Belle Pinot Grigio: A medium oak and light body blend that seamlessly combines with the dry sweetness of Pinot Grigio. A timeless classic like its namesake, Belle Grove Historic District.

• Buffalo Black Raspberry: Drinking this fruity, chilled Merlot feels as laid back as a sunny day floating on the Buffalo National River.

• Miss Laura's Green Apple Riesling: This apple-green wine matches Miss Laura's Social Club, the restored bordello in downtown Fort Smith, in both color and character.

• Zach's Malbec: This dark red wine has a depth of character and intensity comparable to our son's personality. And you can find them both behind the bar at JKC Cellars!

• Diamond State Sauvignon Blanc: This white wine is original and luxurious like an Arkansas diamond, with a flinty, dry taste that parallels the volcanic source of gems at Crater of Diamonds State Park.

• Mockingbird Merlot: This ruby red wine with rich notes of berries and spice will have you singing like an Arkansas mockingbird in June.

• Presley Strawberry Pinot Noir Rose': A rich Pinot Noir blend that creates an interesting sip bursting with the flavors of strawberry jam, raspberries, and rhubarb. With an aroma of floral notes that lingers in the background.

• Conductor's Cabernet Sauvignon: All aboard! Visit the rail yard and take a ride through the rich, bold flavors of our Conductor's Cabernet Sauvignon.

We invite you to visit JKC Cellars and join the fun table. We offer a variety of events, new wine releases, and promotions, so be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to stay up-to-date.