If you want to taste some of the area’s finest offerings, there are dozens of tasting rooms within a few minutes’ drive from San Antonio.
In Texas, the fastest-growing wine-producing area is the Hill Country. That makes this one of the Top Texas Wine Destinations with over 50 wineries & tasting rooms, this is one of the hottest wine regions in the Country.
The epicenter of the Hill Country Wineries is Fredericksburg. There are a number of bars and restaurants that host tastings and parties, including live music. Music plays such a large part of the evening that you may begin to think that you are really in Nashville or NYC.
If you want to taste some of the area’s finest offerings, there are dozens of tasting rooms within a few minutes’ drive. Of the many Texas wineries in Fredericksburg, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but a few you shouldn’t miss are Becker and Grape Creek. Each of these has its own unique personality, but both are worth a trip, especially if you have a full day planned. You can tour both tasting rooms at night, when the temperature begins to fall, and take in the sights of the reddish brown hills surrounding the vineyards.
Grape Creek Vineyards welcomes visitors to their idyllic estate vineyards and Tuscan-inspired tasting rooms. With 22 acres under vine, Grape Creek offers new guests tastings and guided tours with barrel samples from their portfolio of 90+ point wines. Members enjoy peaceful landscaped patios, expansive vineyard views, romantic terrace fountains, and dining at their on-site restaurant. Located on the same property as Heath Sparkling Wines. *Part of One Wine Destination, an artfully designed environment for those looking to explore and appreciate wine in a setting of relaxed refinement.
Becker Vineyards is featured on the Fine Living Channel, and served at The White House, these hand crafted, award-winning Bordeaux, Burgundian, and Rhone-styled wines are enjoyed with fine cuisine or casual fare. Events, Tastings, Tours, Lavender Haus Reception Hall, Custom Cellar and Private Tasting Room await you. Wine Spectator and countless publications have bestowed endless accolades on their 25 years of viticulture and wine making. Becker Vineyards practices a hands-on, people-centered philosophy and is proud to be one of the largest contractors of Texas Fruit.
At each Texas Hill Country winery, you can enjoy wines from a selection of different grape varietals. Some of the most popular offerings include Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet. Some of the signature wines have notes of lavender and pear, with the perfectly tart flavors that come from the Texas grapes. The wide variety of grapes, rich soil, and Chardonnay climate make this area one of the best for wine lovers. During the summer, the wineries offer winery tours, where you’ll see the vineyards from every aspect.
If you take Highway 290 East from Fredericksburg to Johnson City you will not be disappointed. This charming, 20 mile stretch of Texas Hill Country has more than 25 wineries and the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park which is a wonderful place to open a bottle of wine and have a picnic. In the charming town of Hye you’ll find another important piece of the Texas wine country puzzle: the William Chris Vineyards. William Chris Vineyards focuses on low impact, 100% Texas-grown wine. Owners and winemakers, Bill Blackmon and Chris Brundrett, sat down together at a Hill Country bar one night and discovered they shared a similar philosophy for winemaking. They believe that the way to put Texas on the map as a respected wine region is to promote wines made exclusively from Texas grown fruit.
Like Fredericksburg, this region is quickly becoming a hot spot for visitors who have claimed it another Top Texas wine destination. Both cities draw their share of visitors who are looking for a little taste of Texas panache. What makes these two towns even more appealing is that they are located within easy reach of each other, meaning that you can visit each place during a convenient vacation time frame.
In addition to its charm, the town of Fredericksburg is home to a number of great places to eat. You can experience authentic German and Mexican food as well as original Texas BBQ. You can also grab a bite at one of the award winning micro breweries to get a Peach Hefeweizen or stop by one of the distilleries for a small-batch moonshine from a one-of-a-kind handmade Kentucky copper still. All of these activities make Fredericksburg a great choice for anyone looking for a little taste of Texas panache.
Moving a little further east, you’ll find the charm and character of Austin, another hot spot in the Texas wine country. Austin is home to several of the most celebrated and influential restaurants and wineries in the state, such as Austin’s South Congress Avenue Pub and Wine Garden. While there, you might also try some of the region’s finest dishes, including fajitas, brisket, burgers, and more Texas barbecue. You’ll likely be encouraged to try a few of the hundreds of restaurants, bars, and tasting rooms that have popped up around the city. In addition to its barbecue offerings, Austin also boasts some of the state’s finest live music venues.
No trip to the state of Texas is complete without a tour of the Texas Wine Country. If you’re a wine enthusiast, you need to check out the wineries that call this state home. The Winery Tours and Texas Wine Trail are two of the most popular ways to enjoy the experience, which allow visitors to tour some of the most prominent vintners in the state. If you like wine, this is the place for you.
If you need a place to lay your head between days of winery tours, we have several short term rentals where we can accommodate up to 32 people. Please take a look at our Hill Country Vacation Homes to see if one is right for you.
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