Texas Wine Country is a great destination for wine lovers, as the region offers some gorgeous scenery along with excellent wine. Based on our recent visit to Texas Wine Country, this article on visiting Texas Wine Country provides an overview of the Texas Hill Country wine region along with tips for planning a trip. Stay tuned for some related articles with more details on the wineries I visited!
You don’t see much Texas wine in New England, so a lot of people here were surprised when I mentioned that I was visiting Texas Wine Country. But I had previously had a chance to sample some Texas wines, so was eager to visit the region.
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Texas Hill Country
When I’d heard about Texas Wine Country being a great place to visit, it was generally the Texas Hill Country wine region that was being referenced.
There is good reason for wine lovers to focus on Texas Hill Country. This region in the heart of Texas is home to over 100 wineries. As the name suggests, this region features lush, sloping hills. The majority of of these wineries can be found in a stretch along route 290 between Johnson City and Fredericksburg.
During my visit, I learned that while it draws a lot of attention thanks to the scenery and quality wineries, Texas Hill Country is not the largest wine grape growing region in Texas. The High Plains & Panhandle region as well as West Texas both have about 6,000 acres dedicated to grape growing, compared to over 2,200 acres in Hill Country (source: txwines.org)
Many of the wineries in Texas Hill Country rely on those regions to the west to source some if not all of their fruit. However, the Hill Country is the top destination for wine tourism thanks to its scenic beauty, concentration of tasting rooms, and easy access from major cities.
One of the wineries I visited on this trip, Salado Winery, is technically outside of the Hill Country region. But I did catch some great hilly scenery driving there from Johnson City!
Planning your trip
One of the great things about visiting Texas wine country is how accessible it is from several major Texas cities. Fredericksburg, the hub of the region's wine scene, is just a short drive from both Austin (about 1.5 to 2 hours) and San Antonio (roughly 1 to 1.5 hours). That makes it easy to plan a check out this wine region as part of a trip to Texas. And it is clearly a popular weekend getaway destination for Texans!
I clearly didn’t appreciate the popularity of Texas Hill Country before planning my trip. The trip idea was hatched somewhat last minute, when I decided to travel with our son who was heading to a film festival & workshop in Austin.
When to visit
When planning your visit to Texas Hill Country wine country, consider both the weather and the crowds. Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) are especially popular for their pleasant temperatures and beautiful wildflowers or changing foliage, making for a more comfortable and scenic experience.
I definitely found late April is a popular time to visit! As I get into below, finding a place to stay short notice was tricky then. The temperatures were already starting to heat up when I visited, with day time temps in the 80s and a fair amount of humidity.
Summer brings higher temperatures - often in the 90s - but it’s a great time for those who want a more laid-back atmosphere and less congestion at the wineries. Weekends and holidays, especially during peak months, can be busy, so if you prefer a quieter getaway, consider booking a midweek stay or visiting during the off-season when you'll enjoy greater flexibility, less competition for accommodations, and more personalized service.
Finding a place to stay
When I started looking to book a room in Fredericksburg a few weeks out, there was very limited availability. I learned the hard way that because of its popularity, especially during spring wildflower season (when I was traveling) and fall harvest time, it's a good idea to book accommodations in Fredericksburg or nearby towns well in advance.
If you plan further in advance, you’ll find a range of options from charming B&Bs and boutique inns to vineyard stays and vacation rentals. If you're interested in cooking some of your own meals with local ingredients, look for a rental with a kitchen-perfect for pairing your market finds with a local bottle of Viognier or Tempranillo. Some of the wineries have accommodations on the property, including Barons Creek Vineyards and Carter Creek Winery.
I wound up staying in Johnson City based on the limited availability in Fredericksburg. That works well logistically, as there are a number of wineries worth visiting closeby. It is also closer to Austin – about 1 hour away. I stayed at the Best Western, which was clean and serviceable, although seemed expensive for that level hotel.
If you are starting your Texas Wine Country trip in Austin, as I did, the Tommie Austin is a good hotel option. This Hyatt property is a boutique hotel located within the Thompson Austin. The hotel has a hip vibe and is centrally located, with a friendly and helpful staff. A case in point was when they went above and beyond the call of duty to help my son find the earbuds he initially left behind! I’ll cover more about some Austin food and wine tips a bit later.
Planning your winery visits
When planning your itinerary, keep in mind that many wineries close by 5 or 6 p.m., so it’s a good idea tostart your tasting day early and build in time for lunch at one of the many restaurants or wine-focused cafés in the area.
Most of the wineries recommend making reservations for the tastings, especially on weekends. Calais is the one I visited where that seemed especially important, as their tastings are small, intimate sessions. The tasting rooms on Main Street in Frederickburg seem more set up for folks just dropping in. At least that was the case at Becker’s tasting room.
With dozens of wineries and tasting rooms to choose from, it helps to narrow down a few you want to visit each day. Grouping them by location can save time on the road and leave more room for lingering over that second glass of wine with a vineyard view.
The other suggestion I have for picking wineries to visit is to look for ones that focus on Texas grown grapes. With the popularity of Texas Hill Country, there are some places that have popped up that I would describe as more gimmicky, and in a number of instances aren’t making Texas wine. Checking winery websites to see if they indicate Texas grapes is a good way to identify those that are more serious about their craft.
I’ll be writing individual articles about each of the wineries I visited, so stay tuned for that! For now, here’s an overview of the wineries I covered. They all are worthy of consideration for your Texas Wine Country trip!
- Becker Vineyards – I visited their tasting room on Main Street in Fredericksburg, but their estate just outside Stonewall sounds like a great spot, too! (about 15 minutes east of Fredericksburg)
- Calais Vineyards – Focuses primarily on Bordeaux style grapes, sourced primarily from Texas regions further west. Definitely book ahead for the intimate tastings of their high caliber (and fairly pricey) wines! Calais is about 25 minutes east of Fredericksburg, closer to Johnson City.
- Lost Draw – has a wide range of wines to choose from, including some produced from their Hill Country grapes. Lost Draw has comfortable indoor and outdoor tasting options. They are located just outside of Johnson City.
- Salado Winery – located in the Stagecoach Texas Wine Trail, north of Austin. This winery has a strong focus on very local Texas grapes.
Consulting wine loving friends that have visited Texas Wine Country is another great way to choose places to visit. A friend connected my with Salado owner June Ritterbusch, who provided me some tips about wineries to visit. In addition to the spots I wound up visiting, June also suggested Lewis Wines, Farm House Vineyards, Bending Branch and Slate Theory.
Getting around
Driving provides the most flexibility for getting around Texas Hill Country, but if you'd prefer to sip without worrying about driving, there are several wine tour companies that offer guided transportation along the 290 Wine Trail and beyond. Options range from private car services and luxury shuttles to group wine tours, making it easy to customize your experience and visit multiple wineries safely and comfortably.
My Day Visiting Hill Country Wineries
I drove from Austin along 290 west to Fredericksburg to start my visit to Texas wine country. The rolling hills with lots of greenery and flowers makes for a pleasant drive. Once you hit Johnson City, the route to Fredericksburg is dotted with wineries.
Fredericksburg – the heart of Texas Wine Country
I arrived in Fredericksburg a little before noon. I parked in the Fredericksburg Visitor Center lot, which is a good option to gather some information and find a restroom.
This small city in the heart of Texas Hill Country was bustling with fellow tourists, families enjoying a day trip and a number of wedding related parties. A liberal open container policy allows people to enjoy a glass of wine or a beer as they stroll through town, contributing to the festive atmosphere.
The Fredericksburg Urban Wine Trail includes 10 downtown wine tasting rooms, a convenient way to try different wineries. I decided to start my Texas wine country experience by stopping at the Becker Vineyards tasting room.
I’ll be sharing more information on Becker soon!
Wine Road 290
As I mentioned before, there is an abundance of wineries along Route 290 between Fredericksburg and Johnson City.
My day visiting Texas Hill Country wineries started in Austin and I had a room for the night in Johnson City. So I decided to head straight to Fredericksburg from Austin, a drive of a bit under 2 hours. After checking out Fredericksburg, I made my way back toward Johnson City, stopping at wineries on the way.
Calais was my first winery stop on 290. You definitely want to make a reservation there for the small, intimate tastings. I tasted along with a couple that was quite knowledgeable about wine, with the husband having been in the wine business for many years.
I stopped at Lost Draw outside Johnson City to wrap up my day exploring Texas Hill Wine Country.
They have a wide variety of wines to choose from in a relaxed atmosphere.
Dinner in Johnson City
I will have to plan another trip to Texas Wine Country to be able to share more details about places to eat! My brief foray to the region meant I just had one restaurant meal in wine country, plus a few meals in Austin.
Bryan’s on 290 was recommended during my winery visits as a place to dine near Johnson City with some good Texas wine options. But I was tired after a long day of travel, and the simplicity of a brew pub for a quick solo meal sounded appealing.
So I headed for Pecan Street Brewing for dinner in Johnson City. It definitely bustling on this warm spring Saturday evening, but I was able to get a small table without a wait.
I ordered the Pecan Sweet Chicken for my entree, lightly fried chicken topped with a honey pecan sauce. It hit the spot with a good IPA! Yes, sometimes after a day full of wine tasting it can be nice to wind down with a good beer.
Stagecoach Texas Wine Trail
After a day visiting wineries in Texas Hill Country, I planned to head northeast from Johnson City to visit Salado Winery. Salado is part of a group wineries called the Stagecoach Texas Wine Trail. These wineries are located north of Austin, closer to Waco. So it wasn’t exactly on my way back to Austin, but after visiting Saldo it was just over an hour to get back to our Austin hotel.
The GPS sent me along some windy secondary roads through the hills on my way to Salado. I drove at a leisurely pace known as the speed limit to enjoy the scenery, as pickup trucks waited eagerly for enough visibility to zip past this meandering tourist.
It was a pleasant ride despite the anxious drivers behind me. But I was ready for a glass of wine by the time I reached Salado! More on that to come.
Wrapping up – for now
Texas wine country is certainly worth a visit! Hopefully this article has piqued your interests or prepared you to enjoy a trip there. Stay tuned as I share articles with more details about the wineries I visited. I’ll also update with some tips for some of the places I enjoyed while in Austin on the way to and from wine country.
If a trip to Texas wine country isn’t in your immediate future, considering ordering a few bottles from one of the wineries mentioned in this article. They all have online sales available and ship to the majority of states in the US.
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