Although not widely known for its vineyards Texas has a growing wine industry with over 220 bonded wineries across the state. Many of these are right here in the Austin area.
For centuries before the arrival of Europeans native grapevines flourished in the area now known as Texas. When the Spanish missionaries arrived in the 1600s they planted vineyards near El Paso. In the 1800s several settlers grew grapes in South and Central Texas. They were most successful with native varieties.
In the 1880s an insect pest devastated the French wine industry. T.V. Munson of Denison Texas helped save France’s wine industry by introducing hardy pest resistant native Texan varieties. By hybridizing native Texas varieties of grapes with other varieties from around the world Munson developed 300 disease-resistant new varieties suitable for Texas and the Southwestern United States.
There were twenty-five wineries in Texas by 1900 including Val Verde Winery in Del Rio which was established in 1883. Texas wineries closed during Prohibition. Many reopened when Prohibition was repealed but only Val Verde succeeded in remaining open. Today it is Texas’ oldest winery still in operation. Beginning in the 1970s the Austin area became the home for several new successful vineyards.
In 1975 Fall Creek Vineyards in Tow about 61 miles northwest of Austin was the first vineyard and winery to be established in the Hill Country. This award-winning winery is delightful to visit. Take a tour taste the wines and have a picnic. You can even go for a boat cruise on Lake Buchanan.
Austin area wineries spread out across the Hill Country from Dripping Springs to Fredericksburg and Kerrville. Because many are clustered together you can easily plan a trip to see several in one day. Texas Wine Trails featured many events throughout the year. For a package price you receive entrance to several wineries within easy driving distance of each other. The packages include tasting and much more.
Solara Estate is the winery closest to Austin. Located in Dripping Springs this award winning vineyard features glorious views. Bell Springs Winery also in Dripping Springs was established in 2009 and features a friendly down-home atmosphere.
From the small down-home vineyards to wineries with Tuscan-style tasting rooms and splendid facilities the Austin area has it all. Visit some Austin wineries and see for yourself.
Central Texas Wineries
(alphabetical order)
Alamosa Wine Cellars Established 1996 Hours: Fri-Sat 10-5 Sun 12-5 or by appt 677 CR 430 Bend 325-628-3313 www.alamosawinecellars.com Mediterranean style wines from Texas grapes. Enjoy the gift shop with gourmet items the picnic area and veranda.Becker Vineyards Established 1992 Hours: Mon-Thu 10-5 Fri-Sat 10-6 Sun 12-6 464 Becker Farms Rd Stonewall 830-644-2681 www.BeckerVineyards.com Features Bordeaux Burgandian and Rhone-style wines. Enjoy tours tastings and Lavender Haus Reception Hall Custom Cellar and Private Tasting Room.
Bell Springs Winery
Thurs 12-5 Fri 12-6 Sat & Sun 11-6 Mon 12-5 3700 Bell Springs Rd. Dripping Springs 830-483-9463 www.bellspringswinery.com A laid back atmosphere includes the owners’ two dogs which have run of the area. In addition to tasting the wines you are welcome to roam the tree-sheltered grounds have a picnic and bring your own dogs if they are animal-and people-friendly.
Bending Branch Winery
Established 2009 Hours: Thurs 11-5 Fri & Sat 11-6 Sun 12-5 142 Lindner Branch Trail Comfort 830-995-2948 www.bendingbranchwinery.com This boutique winery uses sustainable practices and organic growing techniques. Tannat is their signature grape. Enjoy their beautiful grounds and their wines.
Chisholm Trail Winery
Established 2001 Hours: Open 7 days a week Noon-6pm 2367 Usener Rd. Fredericksburg 830-990-2675 www.chisholmtrailwinery.com This winery nine miles west of Fredericksburg features a saloon-style tasting room and The Oval Oven a restaurant serving wood-fired gourmet pizza.
Driftwood Estate Winery
Established 2002 Hours: Mon-Sun 10-6 4001 Elder Hill Road CR 170 Driftwood 512-858-9667 www.DriftwoodWine.com This winery features Mediterranean style wines with a gorgeous hilltop view of the vineyard. Weddings and private parties are welcome. Enjoy the gift shop and picnic area.
Dry Comal Creek Vineyards
Established 1992 Mon-Sun 12-5 1741 Herbelin Rd. New Braunfels 830-885-4121 www.drycomalcreek.com Features unique Texas wines.
Duchman Family Winery
Established 2004 Mon. 12-6; Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 13308 FM 150 West Driftwood 512-858-1470 www.duchmanwines.com Enjoy wines from Italian varietals grown in this slice of Hill Country heaven. Visitors enjoy wonderful views of the vineyards along with romantic gardens. Twenty-five miles from downtown Austin
Fall Creek Vineyards
Established in 1975 Mon-Fri 11-4 Sat 11-5 Sun 12-4 1820 CR 222 Tow 325-379-5361 www.fcv.com The oldest combination vineyard and winery in the Hill Country Fall Creek Vineyards has won numerous awards for its fine wines. Enjoy the grounds taste the wines have a picnic and perhaps go for a boat cruise on Lake Buchanan.
Fiesta Winery
Established 2010 Tues – Thurs: Call for Availability Fri & Sat: 10- 6 Sun: 12- 5 18727 West FM 580 Lometa 325-628-3433 or 3434 www.fiestawinery.com This relatively new winery is located on beautiful grounds that have been in the owners’ family for six generations.
Fiesta Winery Fredericksburg
Established 2012 Open 7 days a week 147A East Main St Fredericksburg 830-307-3328 www.FiestaWinery.com/Fredericksburg Enjoy Fiesta Winery’s tasting room in historic downtown Fredericksburg.
Flat Creek Estate
Established 2000 Tue-Sun 11-5 / Closed Monday 24912 Singleton Bend East Marble Falls 512-267-6310 www.flatcreekestate.com Enjoy a lunch or a private dinner at Flat Creek (Reservations required) Special events are also welcome.
Fredericksburg Winery
Established 1996 Mon-Thurs 10-530 Fri-Sat 10-730 Sun 12-530 247 West Main Street Fredericksburg 830-990-8747 www.fbgwinery.com Offering dry semi-dry medium sweet sweet and dessert wines.
Grape Creek Vineyards
Established 1983 Mon-Fri. 11-6 Sat. 10-6 Sun 11-5 10587 East U.S. Hwy 290 Fredericksburg 830-644-2710 www.grapecreek.com Awarding winning wines and a beautiful Italian Villa tasting room with tree- shaded patios overlooking the vineyards.
Hye Meadow Winery
Established 2013 Mon-Wed 10-5 Th-Sat 10-6 Sun 12-5 or by appt 10257 W US Hwy 290 Hye 512-657-2585 www.hyemeadow.com One of Texas’ newest wineries Hye Meadow features a grove of majestic oaks on 62 acres. You can see how they make their wines.
Kerrville Hills Winery
Thurs – Monday 11:00 to 6:00 3600 Fredericksburg Road Kerrville 830-895-4233 kerrvillehillswinery.com Overlooking the Guadalupe River Valley this winery’s tasting room features many items from the property’s original homestead.
Lewis Wines
Established 2012 Open by appointment only 3209 Highway 290 West Johnson City 512-663-6468 www.lewiswines.com Wines from 100% Texas grapes.
McReynolds Winery
Established in 1995 Fri-Sat 10-6 Sun 12-6 or by appt. 706 Shovel Mountain Road Cypress Mill 830-825-3544 www.mcreynoldswines.com McReynolds’ handcrafted Texas table wines have won awards. Come enjoy the winery and picnic area.
Perdernales Cellars
Established 2006 Mon-Th 10-5pm Fri-Sat 10-6pm Sun 12-6pm 2916 Upper Albert Rd. Stonewall 830-644-2037 www.pedernalescellars.com Producing premium Tepranillos and Viogniers the Pedernales Cellars uses sustainable practices and offers Texas hospitality. Enjoy the tree-covered deck after touring the underground winemaking cellar.
Perissos Vineyards and Winery
Established 2005 Summer Hours: Thurs-Friday. 12-5. July 4th week: Wed-Sunday 12-5 7214 Park Road 4 W Burnet 512-820-2950 www.perissosvineyards.com An hour’s drive from Austin Perissos is surrounded rolling granite hills. Enjoy the wonderful wines produced by this family-owned winery.
Pillar Bluff Vineyards
Established 1999 Fri-Sat 10-5 Sun 12:30-5 300 Burnet County Road 111 Lampasas 512-556-4078 www.pillarbluff.com Specializing in French varietals.
Rancho Ponte Vineyard
Established 2009 Open Daily: Mon-Fri 11-5 Sat 11-6 Sun 11-5 315 Ranch Road 1376 Fredericksburg 830-990-8555 www.ranchoponte.com The Ponte family is continuing five generations of winemaking which began in northern Italy. In 2009 the family moved their small family-run winery from California to the Hill Country of Texas. Enjoy the lovely tasting room and hospitality.
Santa Maria Cellars
Established 2006 Fri & Sat 12-6p Sun (trail weekends only) 12-3p 12044 Hwy 16 S. Fredericksburg 830-998-5357 www.santamariacellarswines.com/ Santa Maria Cellars is owned by Martin Santamaria who has a Masters Degree in Viticulture and Oenology from the University of Bologna and served as the winemaker at Dry Comal Creek for five years. His winery produces five varietals ranging from sweet to dry.
Singing Water Vineyards
Established 1993 Thur – Sat 11-6 Sun 12-5 Mon 11-6 316 Mill Dam Rd. Comfort 830-995-2246 www.singingwatervineyards.com Located on the banks of Bruins Creek Singing Water Vineyards features a tasting room made from a re-modeled 100 year-old barn. Enjoy your wine with a picnic lunch.
Sister Creek Vineyards
Established 1988 Mon-Fri 10-5 Sat 10-6 and Sun 10-6 1142 Sisterdale Road Sisterdale 830-324-6704 www.sistercreekvineyards.com Sister Creeks’ barrel-aged award winning wines are crafted in an 1885 cotton gin.
Solaro Estate
Established 2005 Sun 11-5 Mon 11-5 Tue-Wed by appt Thur 11-5 Fri 11-6 Sat 11-6 13111 Silver Creek Rd Dripping Springs 832-660-8642 www.solaroestate.com Award winning Solaro wines are produced in Dripping Springs near Austin. Enjoy great wine and gorgeous views.
Spicewood Vineyards
Wed-Sat 10-6 and Sun 12-5 1419 Burnet CR 409 Spicewood 830-693-5328 www.spicewoodvineyards.com Enjoy the tasting room gift shop and gallery and a picnic on the veranda. Special event facilities are available.
Stone House Vineyard
Established 2004 Thurs-Sun 12-5 or by appt. 24350 Haynie Flat Rd. Spicewood 512-264-3630 www.stonehousevineyard.com
Texas Hills Vineyard
Established 1995 Mon-Thurs 10-5 Fri-Sat 10-6 Sun 12-5 878 RR 2766 Johnson City 830-868-2321 www.texashillsvineyard.com Italian-styled “Wines to Share with Friends” are featured at this fine vineyard. Picnic on the patio and enjoy local artisan cheeses and crackers in the tasting room.
Texas Legato Winery
Established 2002 Fri Sat 10 – 5 Sun 12:30 – 5 FM 1478 Lampasas 512-556-9600 www.texaslegato.com Texas Legato Winery ages its wines in a combination of French and American Oak barrels making them smooth with hints of vanilla and cherry. Enjoy a visit with the owner and winemaker.
Torre di Pietra Vineyards
Established 2004 11am to 6pm daily 10915 E. US Hwy 290 Fredericksburg 830-644-2829 www.texashillcountrywine.com Torre di Pietra features an herb garden and cozy patios as well as a large dance floor and live music. Enjoy fine wines in the Tuscan-style piazza.
Wedding Oak Winery
Established 2010 Sun-Th 11-6 Fri-Sat 10-7 316 E Wallace San Saba 325-372-4050 www.WeddingOakWinery.com Wedding Oak Winery’s tasting room is located in a beautifully restored 1926 building in downtown San Saba. Enjoy warm weather varietals.
Westcave Cellars Winery
Established 2010 Fri Sat Mon 11-6 Sun 12-6 Tues-Thur by Appt. 25711 Hamilton Pool Rd Round Mountain 512-431-1403 www.westcavecellars.com Enjoy Westcave Cellars beautiful oak lined grounds while enjoying their fine wines.
William Chris Vineyards
Established 2008 Mon-Wed 10-5pm; Th-Sat 10-6pm; Sun 12-5pm 10352 US Highway 290 Hye 830-998-7654 www.williamchriswines.com Enjoy the tasting room in a century old farmhouse and explore the historic 1800 cemetery beside the oak grove. About an hour’s drive from either Austin or San Antonio you are sure to enjoy this beautiful winery. Cheese platters and gourmet picnic lunches are available.
Wimberley Valley Winery
Established 1983 Mon-Sun 10-6 2825 Lone Man Mountain Rd Driftwood 512-847-2592 wimberleyvalleywinery.com Wimberley Valley Winery is one of the older wineries in the Austin area and is between Austin and San Antonio. Enjoy a glass of wine by the cozy fireplace or a picnic among the oaks.
Woodrose Winery
Established 1999 Mon-Fri 11-6 Sat. 11-7 Sun. 12-6 662 Woodrose Lane Stonewall 830-644-2539 www.woodrosewinery.com Woodrose offers restaurant style tastings with the wine brought to your table. Enjoy the multi-level deck.
