Altus

Altus is an Arkansas town known best for its wineries. The town is in Franklin County and has a population of 817 people.

An interesting non-winery related fact is Altus was the town in which season 1 of the critically acclaimed FOX reality show The Simple Life, which starred Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie while they stayed with a local family for a month. The premiere for the show was watched by 13 million people, providing a stat for those who are ready to bemoan the loss of American taste.

Wineries

The Altus area is home to four wineries: Post Familie Vineyards & Winery, Wiederkehr Wine Cellars, Mount Bethel Winery, and Chateau Aux Arc Vineyards & Winery.

Each of these places offer free tours and a variety of other tourist attractions. The wineries can be traced back to the 1870s when German-Swiss immigrants settled in the area and began to grow grapes. The Arkansas River Valley has great natural potential for grape growing due to its mountains, valleys, and well-draining sandy soil.

Education

Altus is served by the Ozark School District. The average ACT score in the Ozark School District is 22.3 and the district spends $7702 per student.