Flat Creek Estate Marble Falls
Flat Creek Estate was voted one of the 50 Most Amazing Places to Taste Wine in America because of the specialty classes and winery events. Experience harvest celebrations, blind tastings, barrel tastings, vineyard walks, disc golf tournaments, and wine runs. Call for reservations for your wine tasting and food pairings, like the Grape Escape experience, the Chefs Three-Course experience, the Wine and Appetizer experience, and more.
Join a club and enjoy the wine and benefits. For syrah lovers, the Reserve Syrah 2016 boasts a plum and blackberry aroma and rich chocolate notes perfect for pairing with eggplant parmesan.
Stay at the Vineyard: Youll find on-site lodging for up to six guests at the Vintners Quarters, featuring the main bedroom, bathroom, living room, and kitchen on the main floor with two additional queen beds up the spiral staircase.
Best Wineries In Fredericksburg Texas
Posted on Last updated: January 29, 2022
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Stunning views, world-class wines, and lots of Southern hospitality combine to make the wineries in Fredericksburg one of the most popular getaways in Central Texas. Over the last decade, the vineyards here have evolved significantly, coming into their own by relying on grapes that grow well in the Mediterranean and not trying to replicate whats done elsewhere in the US. The live music and welcoming atmosphere dont hurt either.
The Texas Hill Country Viticultural Area stretches for a massive 15,000 square miles. But the heart of Texas wine country is near the charming small town of Fredericksburg, approximately 1.5 hours west of Austin and an hour north of San Antonio.
Many of the wineries and vineyards are concentrated along Highway 290, which stretches 30 miles from Fredericksburg to Johnson City. The area has more than 50 wineries and tasting rooms, and more open every year. With so many to choose from, its hard to know where to start. We visit often and have put together our suggestions for the best wineries in Fredericksburg to visit on a getaway.
Wineries In Texas Wine Country
The wineries here reflect the diversity of the rest of the state. At one, you may find several different varieties represented and many unique blends you wont find anywhere else. At another, you may discover a boutique winery that specializes in making only one or two varieties. Each winery complements the natural beauty of the surrounding Hill Country as they look out over them, with elegant tasting rooms that are often housed in chic refurbished historic buildings. Below, youll find some of our favorite wineries in Texas Wine Country.
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A Guide To Texas Wine And The Hill Country
Texas is a massive state home to big cities, sprawling plains, and some of the best barbecue on the planet. Its also home to the nations fifth-largest wine scene in terms of production and growing rapidly. Most of it goes down in the Hill Country outside of Austin and if this region is not on your wine tourism map yet, it ought to be.
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Of the several American Viticultural Areas in Texas, Hill Country is far and away the largest. In fact, at 9 million acres, its the second-largest AVA in the nation. Visitors are treated to an assortment of varietals, from Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo to Merlot, Sangiovese, and Tannat. There are white wines too, like Viognier, Riesling, Blanc de Bois, and more. And the weather tends to be stellar, meaning optimal sipping conditions pretty much year-round.
Here are the wineries to visit while sipping in the Lone Star State, along with a few suggestions on where to eat and overnight. Go thirsty and hungry and return satisfied. Also, with the pandemic still looming, be courteous and check in with each business beforehand to see what the reservation policy and COVID protocols are.
Carter Creek Winery Resort And Spa
The Carter Creek Winery Resort and Spa is a comfy family-owned with a welcoming vibe. Here, you can take in the views as you enjoy the on-site accommodations and all that wine country has to offer. Your relaxing stay is sure to be a memorable one.
The wine experts here are top-notch. With a few visits to the tasting room, youll see why they have won many awards for their well-honed techniques. The cozy room is the perfect place to enjoy their many varieties, created by grapes picked at just the right time in the harvest.
Theres even an awesome spot here for the beer-lover to enjoy. The Old 290 Brewery and Restaurant features a menu of local ingredients and carefully crafted brews. The picturesque patio is an awesome way to dine alfresco and enjoy the Texas sun.
The spa and fitness center make it easy to either get active or wind down. You can also enjoy the glistening waters of the heated outdoor pool or sunbathe on the pool deck. Or, simply walk the grounds and enjoy the views.
The accommodations here are well-appointed with every suite having its own living area and porch. Each villa has stunning views combined with modern amenities like Wi-Fi and electric fireplaces. Plus, they are dog-friendly so your furry friend can come along. Dont forget to grab their complementary sWag Bag of treats when you arrive.
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High Plains And Panhandle
General characteristics: savory, mineral, notes of sagePopular grapes:
- Cabernet franc
- Muscat canelli
About 73 percent of Texas wine grapes are grown on the Texas High Plains, a flat, arid, high-elevation area. Long, hot summers with cool nights balance grape acidity, and low rainfall decreases the chance of disease. The mineral-rich soil is mostly sandy loam over limestone. More than 75 types of grapes grow on the High Plains, and winemakers often grow their white or rosé varietals there because those wines retail for less than reds .
Messina Hof Winery And Resort Bryan
The Bonarrigo family, with 200 years of winemaking experience dating back to Messina, Sicily, founded Messina Hof Wine Cellars in 1977. Its the fourth winery in the state, with its primary location in Bryan. The estate includes 18 acres of vineyards, the winery production facility, the Messina Hoff tasting room, The Vintage House Restaurant, and The Villa Bed & Breakfast. Awarded the Best Romantic Getaway, The Villa boasts eleven spacious suites with historical heirlooms, stained glass, private patios, balconies with lakeside views, oversized tubs, and all-inclusive packages.
In 2011, Messina Hof Hill Country Winery opened a tasting room on ten acres of vineyards and a winery facility in Fredericksburg, adding Manor Haus B& B. Youll find four romantic individually themed stand-alone cottages with all the comforts of home. Your stay includes a continental breakfast and complimentary sparkling wine.
In 2012, son Paul M. and wife Karen took over operations as the second generation and in 2014, launched the Messina Hof Grapevine Winery and tasting room. In February 2021, they opened the Messina Hof Harvest Green Winery & Kitchen, a restaurant featuring cooking parties, food and wine pairings, a tasting room, and a production facility in Richmond, outside of Houston.
Today Messina Hof is the most awarded winery in Texas, producing more than 85 wines and 60,000 cases made with Texas-grown grapes.
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Weekend Itinerary Of Sipping In The Texas Hill Country Wineries Restaurants And Activities
Denise Clarke
When you think about Texas and its flourishing wine industry, theres a fun fact that many people dont know Texas is bigger in size than France. While some states are known for certain wines, Texas like France has so many different regions and terroir that there is no signature red or white grape. If youre planning to sip in the Texas wine country, plan on exploring and enjoying a lot of new varieties in the Lone Star State.
Texas, which is the fifth-largest wine producing state in the United States, has eight American Viticultural Areas , with the Texas Hill Country AVA being the second largest in the state and the third largest in the U.S. The heart of the AVA is the quaint town of Fredericksburg, which is about a 90-minute drive from Austin and San Antonio, making the Texas Hill Country perfect for a weekend wine vacation.
Coming from either Austin or San Antonio to sip in Texas Hill Country wineries will put you on Highway 290 also known as Wine Road 290. The highway is dotted with some 50+ wineries offering beautiful tasting rooms, big decks and patios, and scenic Hill Country views.
Beckers in the Texas Hill County, photo by Elaine Schoch
Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa Johnson City
Indulge in an exclusive combination of some of the finest award-winning wines in the Texas Hill Country from Carter Creek Winery. Enjoy hearty Texas cuisine at Old 290 Brewery & Restaurant, open for lunch and dinner. Enjoy the spa retreat offering organic ingredients and sustainable products for massages, facials, and more.
Carter Creek Winery Resort features 78 luxurious residential-style guest rooms in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Book direct and receive unique benefits like tasting tickets and priority access to exclusive offers and best rates.
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Vineyards In North America
The first vineyards in North America were established by Spanish missionaries in the 1600s, near El Paso on the Rio Grande. The oldest continuously operated winery in Texas is the Val Verde Winery in Del Rio which is also on the banks of the Rio Grande. The Val Verde Winery has been growing grapes for almost 140 years.
Texas wine production historically dates back more than three centuries and the majority of Texas wines are consumed by Texans. Texans spend upwards of $500 million a year on wine. It takes approximately 800 grapes to make one bottle of wine. Texas wine growers strive to produce wines with a unique character and quality of their own.
Grapes were also grown in Texas from European cuttings brought here in the 1800s by settlers. However, over time, it was shown that only the native Texas seedlings were viable. Texas has a variety of wild grapes that grow along rivers and streams. A new wine revolution was born out of the 1960s in America and around the world. In 1974 new vineyards began popping up in the state of Texas and wineries followed soon after.
The areas with the most notable wine grape yields are Texas High Plains including the Panhandle, West Texas, and the Texas Hill country. There are a total of five wine-growing regions in Texas which also include Southeast Texas and North Texas. Growing conditions hamper grape production in South and East Texas. Today there are more than 50 types of wine grape varietals grown in Texas.
Stay In Beautiful Texas Hill Country
After you spend the day exploring Texas Wine Country and its incredible vineyards, return to a Hill Country oasis. Blair House Inn is a hidden gem nestled among the lovely scenery of Texas Hill Country. If youre looking for a luxurious retreat from the stresses of city life, our elegant lodgings offer the perfect escape. The grounds provide an abundance of natural beauty while our accommodations surround you in modern comfort.
Extend your experience of enjoying the finer things in life when you stay in our Laredo room in the Honeysuckle Cottage. Youll find that this room offers the perfect balance between the charm of old Mexico and modern chic, from the warm amber accents to the cozy white stone fireplace. Your private bathroom includes a spacious whirlpool bathtub, and there is a veranda that looks out over the stunning vistas. Enjoy a gourmet breakfast in the morning, and in the evenings, sumptuous homemade desserts and wine are brought to your room.
This is just a glimpse of what the Blair House Inn has to offer. Be sure to browse all our accommodations before you book your stay in Texas Wine Country.
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/ Best Wine: Calais Winery
Look for the French flag, Benjamin Calais told me over the phone. The GPS wont work.
Without further ado, our pick for best wine is Calais Wineryhands down. Every detail of the winemaking process is carefully attended to, with Benjamin Calais at the helm.
Calais came to Texas from France as an information technologist. His hobby of winemaking soon led him to open a winery in Dallas, which he moved to Hye about five years ago. Traditional French techniques and materials are used with 100 percent Texas grapes, all intentionally not rushed, so time and devotion are other ingredients added to the wine.
Wine lovers flock to this reservation-only vineyard to acquire limited production wines, which are only sold at the vineyard. With some releases, Calais limits the number of bottles one can purchase to make sure more people have a chance to enjoy the wine.
Insider information/pro-tips: Tastings are done in a cave that was constructed by Calais to help with the winemaking process. He bought an old barn and used several pieces to construct this cave. We recommend all tastings, but the most quintessential is the Exposition or Cuvee de lExposition. Mention to your wine friends that all are single vineyard wines.
8115 US 290 West, Hye, Texas 78635 213-2124 Tastings by reservation onlyFriday from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. Tastings are $15
Visit Our Tasting Room
We hope that you will join us at our family-owned winery and take in the sweeping vistas of west-central Texas and treat yourself to authentic Southern hospitality. Experience our award-winning wines in an idyllic setting. Our residential-style villas provide an unparalleled experience among Texas Hill Country resorts. Perfect for a relaxing retreat, our luxurious property features an on-site winery, a brewery, a tranquil spa, and other premium amenities.
Our Texas Hill Country winery and tasting room offers a selection of superb Carter Creek wines, while our welcoming Old 290 Brewery serves both wine and beer to complement a robust, steakhouse-style menu. In addition, we offer soothing spa treatments, an outdoor swimming pool, and a state-of-the-art fitness center, making it easy to unwind.
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/ Best Reason To Keep Dreaming About Your Own Vineyard: Ab Astris
Opened in August 2018, Ab Astris is a labor of family love. As Kristen Nelson tells the story, she and her husband Mike were working as lawyers when her parents, Tony and Erin Smith, approached them about a longtime dream of starting a winery. Nelson recruited her sister and brother-in-law, as well, who now have key roles in the business.
The name Ab Astris speaks to the vineyard being the results of a longtime dream, and the starts aligning just right. Latin for to the stars or there is no easy way from the earth to the stars, the name is a nod to both the responsibility to make great wine and the alignment necessary for a dream to become reality. In one year, Ab Astris is already making waves.
A post shared by Ab Astris Winery on Mar 9, 2019 at 8:11am PST
Insider information/pro-tips: Ab Astris is in Stonewall, just next to LBJ State Park. The team is working on some exciting things that will be announced in fall 2019, so start following them now to be in the know.
320 Klein Road, Stonewall, Texas 78671 644-8369 Reservations appreciated for tastingsTasting room open Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Basic tasting is $15
Cabin With The Beautiful Front Porch View
Image courtesy of VRBO
If you are looking for something a little off the beaten path, look no further! Das Eck Haus is a secluded log cabin that is close to town but will make you feel like you are miles away.
The cabin was built in 1995 by the owner himself, and it can accommodate up to 6 people.
This Fredericksburg rental has two bedrooms and two bathsone with a shower and one with a whirlpool tub. The interior is rustic with a country feel.
The best part is the front porch with a rocking chair and a swingit is the perfect place for you to unwind and enjoy the scenery.
When it gets colder, snuggle up on the couch with your loved ones and listen to the crackling sounds coming from the fireplace.
Das Eck Haus does not have Wi-Fi, helping you enjoy a more relaxing stay.
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Best B& B In Fredericksburg
Hoffman Haus steps away from the hustle and bustle of Main Street, giving guests a homey, picturesque place to stay with plenty of personal touches.
The rooms are outfitted in a gorgeous rustic minimalist style, with pastel walls and wooden furniture.
Waking up in white cotton sheets and heading to a front porch rocking chair for your morning coffee, its easy to feel like youve traveled back in time to a Southern homestead.
But dont worry about feeling too disconnected. One of the perks of staying in a small town is that its never a far walk to any attraction.
Even though this bed and breakfast feel a world away, you can get downtown in just 12 minutes on foot.
Texas Hill Country Winery Guide
Forget Napa. Meet the Texas Hill Country. The Texas Hill Country is home to over 50 unique wineries scattered throughout the scenic countryside that gives Hill Country its name. Though youll encounter everything from Italian varietals to Rhone-style wines, Texas Hill Country wine tours are about more than wine.
As you sip on the best wines in the region, youll also stumble upon rolling hills, small towns, the peaceful Pedernales River, and rustic wineries unlike any youve visited before. Whether you embark on a wine tasting tour or self-guide your way down Highway 290, Texas Wine Country will become your go-to wine tasting destination.
Discover eight of our favorite vineyards and wineries around the Lone Star State, then take home varietals from La Cantera’s Exclusive Winery Partners and local Fredericksburg boutiques.
Texas Hill Country is the wine country you didn’t know you’d been missing. Here, warm Texas hospitality meets world-class wine for diverse yet comforting wine tasting experiences. Wineries in Texas Hill Country win awards around the world, see their wines poured in the White House, and produce bottles that you can take home with you. Immerse yourself in the legacy that is Texas Wine Country.
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