Once you have experienced the beauty of the Texas Hill Country, you cannot deny the hold it places on your mind.  With crystal clear streams, majestic giant oak trees, and wildflowers that blanket open fields this is a place that seems to be another country.  Over 5 million visitors come to the Hill Country every year.  Wimberley is located in the beating heart of this enchanting land and offers new wonders and experiences for every kind of traveler. 

We have created our own top ten day trips for the Texas Hill Country that guest can enjoy:

#10 ~ Wimberley Square Shopping ~ Wimberley is full of unique shops that offer traditional and not-so-traditional art and wares. Although the primary shopping areas are clustered around the “Square” and “Olde Towne Plaza”, there are also shops sprinkled throughout other areas. Antiques and Art Galleries are mixed in and anyone is sure to find a dimond in the ruff.  The first Saturday of each month, March through December, Market Days draw visitors from around the state.

#9 ~ Texas Wine Trail ~ Texas wineries have a special allure. Each is unique in its setting and personality, a distinctiveness found also in their wines. Wineries throughout the Hill Country offer public tours of their facilities and tastings for individuals and groups. It‘s an enjoyable day trip, weekend escape or vacation destination.  In ever-increasing numbers, consumers are visiting Texas wineries, attending community wine festivals and enjoying
the delicious difference of a fine, Texas vintage.

Colored Olives from Bella Vista

#8 ~ Bella Vista Olive Ranch ~ Located in the hill country of Wimberley, Texas. Designed to reflect a traditional Italian family farm, the ranch is home to over 1,200 producing olive trees, seasonal fruit and vegetables, a frantoio (olive press), a winery, tasting room and gift shop.  Bella Vista also offer tours of the frantoio, winery, orchards and gardens for individuals as well as groups. Tours provide you an opportunity to explore our orchards and gardens, learn about the agriculture and cultivation of their olives, grapes, and other fruit before participating in a guided tasting of our fresh-made products. Guided tours last about 1 – 1 1/2 hours long and there is a fee of $15.00 per person. 

Just a taste of the Texas Hill Country and the colorful culture that awaits the creative traveler.  Make sure to mark this as a destination for you to visit and this will just could become a top ten of your own!

The Texas Hill Country is majestic with life during Spring.  For all nature lovers this is a setting of wonder and enchantment.  Have you ever had an interest in learning about the Texasnature?  Weather it is the butterflies,bats or birds that get your wings flapping, or the vast height of the Champion Trees that crank your heads to new levels the 13^th Annual Nature Quest is a journey for you.  There will be four days of first hand information from experts on topics such as Birds, Bats, Butterflies, Insects, Trees, Natural History, Plants, and Wildflowers.   Come and ignite your imagination and create a Wildlife Habitat in your own backyard.

13^th Annual Nature Quest
April 25-29

Fieldtrip Leaders & Speakers Include
Tony Gallucci, Derek Muschalek, Tom Collins, Bain Walker,
Bob & Martha Sargent, Fred Bassett, Lee Haile, Sherry Collins,
Patty Leslie Pasztor, LeAnn Sharp & Anthony Sharp

You can choose from lectures and tours that range from bird banding, building specific bird houses for species of birds you would like to enjoy at home, medicinal plants, and the second largest Mexican Free-tailed Bat population.  There are numerous topics for the new adventurer and the seasoned hobbyist.  You can register online for the events and full list of the schedule here.

Spring is upon us and the weather is setting the mood for warm days and cool nights.  Rain has been abundant this fall and winter.  Mother Nature is helping to create a beautiful Texas Hill Country Spring.  The Emily Ann Theater & Garden will be hosting the 14th annual Butterfly Festival April 21st.  Sure to be a beautiful day with wonderful activities you will enjoy experiencing the release of over 3,000 butterflies to the wild.  Celebrate Earth Day with guided nature walks by the Hays County Master Naturalists, live music, carnival games, concessions, and Commemorative Air Force flyover.  The best news, the festival is FREE! (Donations are accepted and appreciated). 

Lady Bird Johnson Wild Flower Center

Now we all know the most beautiful time of year in Texas is wild flower season!  Lady Bird Johnson was a pioneer in establishing and maintaining the beautiful sights of Central Texas.  Lady Bird Wild Flower Center was created in 1982 to help preserve and restore the beauty and biological richness of North America.  Texas jumped on board and the program has been a success ever since.  You can visit the WFC any time of year, but we suggest the Spring to truly appreciate the natural beauty.  (Below is the hours and days of operation)

Interested in creating your own back yard meadow with beautiful wildflowers?  Then you must visit Wildseed Farms.  Acres of wildflowers and seed production makes this location the largest working flower farm in the nation.  Crop production will be in various stages of growth during any visit ~ some fields in bloom, some freshly planted, and some may be ready for harvest.  You will enjoy the views and gain knowledge of local natural plants that will thrive in your personal haven you create.  The Country Store is open for purchase or pick up the free mail order catalog and have purchases delivered right to your door!

Reservations are booking quickly.  Now is the time to make sure you stop and smell the Flowers!  Call us or click here for availability and reservations.

Emily Ann Theater & Garden
Butterfly Festival
April 21, 2012
10 am – 4 pm

Wildflower Center grounds:
9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
Noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday
Closed Mondays except Labor Day

Wildseed Farms
Open Daily 9:30 am – 6 pm

This is an opportunity to learn about the wine making process, to taste and explore new wines and to understand how they enhance the flavors of the foods they are paired with. Vintners and/or their Representatives will be on hand to explain their wine making process and the unique character of the wines they create.

Our innovative Chef Sebastian is committed to preparing a truly memorable dinner. Choosing high quality, fresh ingredients his masterful creations are specifically designed to highlight the unique character of the various wines being offered. This year the Vintner Dinner Series schedule is as follows:

January 21st- Bell Springs Winery
January 28th- Woodrose Winery
February 4th- Solaro Estate
February 11th – McReynolds Winery
February 14th- Pleasant Hill Winery
February 18th- Dry Comal Creek
February 25th- Driftwood Estate

For many foodies and wine enthusiasts the big question is not, “are you going to a vintner dinner?” but “which one?”  Ah, these difficult decisions. With the efforts of owners Mike and Vickie Schneider, Chef Sebastian, and award winning Texas wineries each dining experience is meant to be savoured and shared.  Be sure to book your reservations, as these dinners will sell out.

Our distinctive Saturday evening dinners are offered to the public for $66.50 per person, plus tax and gratuity.  Remember, reservations are required to participate in the festivities. Please call the Blair House Inn at(512)847-1111or toll free at 877-549-5450to reserve your table.

There is no better way to try and beat the Texas heat than start by planning a kitchen garden for your home.  Our very own Chef Sebastian will be giving a presentation at It’s About Thyme in Austin, TX on September 25th at 2 pm.  He will give his own advice paired with the experts at It’s About Thyme on how to produce a striving home garden.  Texas has some of the richest soils, but you have to keep in mind of the drought conditions. 

Chef will also be giving a cooking demonstration with the herbs that you could choose to grow in your garden.  If you don’t have the green thumb you wish you had, you can still use the wonderful recipes by shopping at your local farmer’s market.  Fresh herbs can take any dish to the next level and give it explosive flavor.

If you  are not available to join Chef Sebastian for his presentation you can look into joining us for our ever popular spring cooking schools Cooking with Fresh Herbs and BBQ with Fresh Herbs.  We have to have faith that this drought and heat can’t last forever!  Keep a view to the horizon and dream of cooler and moister rich days to come.

Join the Wimberley Merchants Association for the Winter’s Eve Festival on the Square December 4th.  Enjoy hours of fun with carolers, bands, food booths and spirits as you stroll through the historical Winter Wonderland.  Embrace the season and wear your festive winter attire.  Enjoy holiday lights and make your way around the square for your holiday shopping.  Festivities and food booths begin at 5:00 pm.  Shops are open late!

Now is the time to plan your 4th of July weekend holiday.  The Village of Wimberley, TX will have many activities to make your vacation a trip to remember.  Celebrate our Nation’s Birthday Texas style and visit the Rodeo happening July 1st – 4th.  Take a chance to see the Hill Country at its finest with Wimberley Market Days July 3rd & 4th.  On Friday July 2nd be sure to enjoy a down home parade and afternoon Jubilee hosted by the charming Village of Wimberley.  To cool of during the hot Texas days you can splash into the Blue Hole or float down the Comal River.  Call now or follow this link to book your Texas Hill Country Get-a-way!

Enjoy a wonderful vacation to the Texas Hill Country and remember to bring your swim suit!  There are many rivers, lakes, and swimming holes located minutes from our property.  You can take one of our delicious picnic baskets to-go and enjoy a relaxing day at the San Marcos River, or tube the restful Comal River.  Boat rentals are available at Canyon Lake and the Blue Hole is one of Wimberely’s beloved spots!  Book your reservation today and start relaxing Texas Hill Country Style!!

Blue Hole Wimberley TX

Texas Hill Country Gets Rain!!

After a long and horrifically hot and dry summer, the Texas Hill Country was relieved with three days of evening showers.  This is picture of our front porch during one of the wonderful showers.  The sight was so beautiful and welcoming we had to share this with our guest.  We have a light at the end of the tunnel and fall will soon approach.  Make your reservations for the cooling fall months now so you will be sure to enjoy a peaceful and relaxing trip before the busy Holidays!