Our Story

Founded in 2012 by David and Missy Gudal, Burning Daylight Vineyards is a testament to ingenuity, family heritage, and a love for the land. David’s professional background is in civil engineering and water management, which brings a unique skill set to vineyard operations. His family background growing up on a dairy farm in Minnesota instilled in him a deep appreciation for agriculture. David has always found that being outside, driving his tractor, getting his hands dirty, and building things is a good balance for the mental fatigue of his engineering career, so starting a vineyard seemed like a natural choice.

Missy, captivated by the art of viticulture after completing her Viticulture Certificate Program at Grayson College, has developed a profound connection to grapevines—so much so that she feels antsy if she doesn’t see them every day.

The vineyard’s name was inspired by the phrase “C’mon boys, get up – we’re burning daylight.” This echoes David’s upbringing on the farm, embodying a spirit of hard work and seizing the moment. Since its inception, the mission has been clear: to grow quality grapes through careful variety selection, vigilant canopy management, and hand harvesting, resulting in award-winning wine grapes sought after by local winemakers.

The vineyard’s success led to an expansion opportunity in Eastland, prompting the Gudals to list the original vineyard for sale. However, two neighborhood families, Gavin and Angela Callaway, and Gene and Carmen Joe, stepped in to ensure the vineyard’s legacy continued, partnering with the Gudals to launch Burning Daylight Estate Winery. The first wine under this new label was released in December 2024, promising to carry forward the dedication to quality that has defined Burning Daylight Vineyards for over a decade. 

Since its very first harvest, Burning Daylight Vineyards has produced award-winning crops year after year, a tradition now carried proudly into its new chapter as Burning Daylight Estate Winery. In their inaugural competition season, every red wine entered earned recognition, some winning Gold and others winning Silver medals at the prestigious San Francisco International Wine Competition and the Texas International Wine Competition. These accomplishments affirm that the shared passion and dedication of the Gudals, Callaways, and Joes not only honor the vineyard’s legacy but also lay the foundation for an exciting future. With deep roots in hard work, and ingenuity, Burning Daylight Estate Winery is poised to continue crafting wines that shine just as brightly as the light that inspired its name.