Combine the warm sunshine that falls over the lovely rolling hills of Texas Hill Country with the rich soil, and you get Texas Wine Country. The region supports vineyards and wineries that have unique personalities and styles of making wine. The diversity in wine you will find here reflects that of the rest of the state. A foray through the wines of Texas Wine Country is an experience as much as it is an adventure.
After you’ve explored the terroir of Texas Wine Country, you might wonder where you should venture next. Wine is but one of the gems that Wimberley has to offer.Â
Wine in Texas
Texan vineyards have roots that reach far back into history. In fact, some of the first vineyards in North America were established in Texas Hill Country by Franciscan priests in the mid-1600s. The modern industry of winemaking in Texas is such that it has garnered comparisons to the infamous Napa Valley of California, and has made it on to top ten lists of wine-lover destinations worldwide. Texas Hill Country is itself the second largest American Viticultural Area in the country and spans millions of acres, though not all of that acreage is devoted to productive vineyards.
What Kinds of Wine are in Texas Wine Country?
Since Texas generally enjoys a warm climate and excellent soil, Texas wines have rich fruit flavors reminiscent of California wines, whose grapes are cultivated in similar conditions. Additionally, the presence of a considerable amount of limestone soil leads to incredible aromatic wines. There are fifteen native species of wine grapes in Texas, which is more than anywhere else in the world.
There is a wide range of varietals to be found in Texas; in all, there are as many as 25 different kinds of wine produced in the state. This diversity is in part because winegrowers are still figuring out which types do best. In recent history, the wines that were popular and more likely to sell were the ones that many growers focused on cultivating, but this may change as people choose to grow grapes that have done well in similar climates, like Rhône and Spanish varietals.
When is the Best Time to Visit Texas Wine Country?
It all depends on what kind of experience you are looking for. Spring is picturesque as the vines are in bloom and summer brings green vines and the beginning of harvest season. Fall is cooler and sees many events (though events do happen all year long), while winter is a bit slower, meaning you can avoid the crowds in tasting rooms.
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 won’t 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, you’ll find some of our favorite wineries in Texas Wine Country.
Bella Vista Ranch
Grape vines and a winery complement the olive orchard and mill at Bella Vista Ranch. The vineyard grows Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc, both of which do well in Texas weather. Bella Vista Cellars produces their boutique wines in the Old World tradition. Visit the ranch to enjoy a flight of wines in the tasting room, relax with a glass of wine while taking in the vistas, or take a guided tour that gives you insight into Old World winemaking as well as olive oil production. As Bella Vista is a boutique winery, the wines available in their tasting room will change because they are crafted in small volumes, but you can expect anywhere between four and seven kinds available.
Driftwood Estate Winery
Choose from several choice varietals and blends of high-quality wines made from Texas grapes at Driftwood Estate Winery. Many of the wines are made from 100% Texas grapes, making for an authentic Texas wine tasting experience. The panoramic view serves to enhance the experience of sipping the fantastic wine, as Driftwood Estate Winery sits on a bluff that overlooks the vineyard and Texas Hill Country. Â
Duchman Family Winery
Duchman Family Winery is dedicated to using exclusively Texas-grown fruits in their wines. They do not have an onsite vineyard, but they source most of their fruit from the Texas High Plains AVA. Their tasting room features all current releases for sampling and purchasing. The grounds upon which their winery is situated are so beautiful that it has been listed by HGTV as one of the most picturesque in the country, making for one of the most scenic places in Texas to try quality Texas wine.
Pontotoc Vineyards
The charming historical environs at Pontotoc Vineyards add a layer of elegance to your wine tasting experience. After the vineyard itself was initially established, owners Carl and Frances purchased historic sandstone buildings in downtown Pontotoc and converted the oldest into the Pontotoc Vineyard Weinhalle and Winery. The Weinhalle provides a family-friendly, intimate atmosphere between its exposed sandstone walls where you can sample their vintage wines. An arched doorway leads from the inviting tasting room to the winery.
Singing Water Vineyards
Singing Water Vineyards began with the goal of the owners making wine for friends and family, but their first Merlot grapes produced handcrafted wine so good that they decided to share it with the public. The vineyard cultivates six acres of vineyards which produce five varietals of grapes. Their original tasting room is housed in a refurbished barn, and in recent years Singing Water Vineyards has expanded by adding two more tasting rooms, a treehouse overlooking a lovely creek, and a pavilion.
Other Ways to Explore Texas Wine
Another avenue by which you can explore Texan terroir is via a wine tour. Discover Texas Wine Tours and Heart of Texas Wine Tours are both great companies that will take you to lesser-known boutique wineries throughout Texas Hill Country.
There are also many events and festivals centered around wine that occur throughout the year. Some of the annual events include:
Hill Country Wine Lover’s Celebration | February
Wimberley Wine Walk | April
Dripping With Taste Wine and Food Festival | September
Christmas Wine Affair | November – December
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 you’re 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. You’ll 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.
