Imagine lounging by your brand-new, expertly crafted luxury pool, courtesy of a skilled Houston or Bellaire Pool Builder. Soaking the sun’s gentle kiss on your skin as you sip a glass of smooth Texas wine, is pure luxury. This oasis of tranquility boasts every amenity you could desire, with its exquisite design and impeccable craftsmanship. Worries vanish, replaced by water’s soothing sounds and the Texas sun’s warmth, making this Luxury Pool a pinnacle of leisure. As you begin your wine journey, explore Texas wineries’ exceptional offerings in this perfect moment for selection exploration.
Texas, often underrated in wine, offers a vibrant and varied wine scene, promising delightful surprises for every taste. Discover varied terroirs in Hill Country and High Plains vineyards, resulting in a range of wines, including robust reds and crisp whites. Whether connoisseur or novice, Texas wineries let you savor Lone Star State’s charm in each delightful sip, a unique experience. Cheers to the Texas wine adventure ahead!
Need a weekend getaway without the time for Napa Valley? Texas boasts incredible wineries & vineyards as far North as Amarillo, Canutillo to the West, Atlanta to the North East and Edinburg to the South. Some of the earliest recorded Texas wines were produced by Spanish missionaries in the 1650s near El Paso. Texas is the number five wine-producing state in the U.S., and the Texas Hill Country American Viticulture Area is the second largest in the nation.
Texas wines walked away with a cool 158 medals at the prestigious 2017 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition this past January. That included an unprecedented seven “Best of Class” awards, seven double-golds and 14 single golds, plus a slew of silvers and bronzes. Just five years ago, we were thrilled when the state achieved its inaugural double-gold.
First we want to clarify the differences between wineries and vineyards.
A winery is technically a term for a place where harvested grapes are segregated, cleaned, processed, fermented, aged in oak barrels, and labeled to become the perfect wine you desired it to be. It is a production plant for making wine and is the place where every part of the wine-making process is done. It is also the place where grapes are bottled before distributing to wine resellers.
A vineyard is a plantation of grape-bearing vines grown for wine making. You can have a vineyard without having a winery. Grape growers may sell their grapes to other wineries to be used in wine under a different label. Alternatively, they can create their label by bringing grapes to a licensed winery, using their equipment and facilities for wine production.
Semantics aside, whatever the label of your wine may be, from a vineyard or winery, the quality of the wine does not really depend on it. It is up to you to decide which wine passes your taste buds.
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Most wineries and vineyards cluster along Highway 290 between Johnson City and Fredericksburg, forming the renowned Texas Wine Trail. In this discussion, we’ve picked specific stops along the route for wine tasting, dining, and often live music enjoyment. We haven’t found any Texas wineries or vineyards that weren’t worth the visit.
Our initial destination is Grape Creek Vineyards, situated 20 miles from Johnson City and 10 miles from Fredericksburg along Highway 290. The tasting room, vineyards, & winery are on a beautiful 100-acre estate reminiscent of a Tuscan Villa. This Vineyard has additional tasting rooms in the towns of Fredericksburg and Georgetown.
Grape Creek’s Winemaker – Jason Englert, has been with Grape Creek Vineyards since 2004. Prior to joining Grape Creek Jason spent 8 years as the assistant winemaker for Llano Estacado Winery in Lubbock. Jason concentrates on crafting top-quality wines by selecting premium grapes and employing a blend of advanced and traditional wine-making techniques. His work has obviously paid off as the vineyard has received over 200 medals for their wines in just the last two years. Rather impressive.
While sipping a Grape Creek Rendezvous red blend or delicious white Viognier on their expansive patio, visitors may also dine on their Italian themed menu. Just opened in May is their new indoor restaurant which is available on weekend evenings and Sunday Brunch.
Our next stop is Pedernales Cellars, established in 2005 and another of Texas’ leading producers of authentic, handcrafted wines, including benchmark Tempranillos and delicious Viogniers. Pedernales Cellars, a family-owned and operated winery, dedicates itself to world-class wines and the hospitality of the Texas Hill Country. Guests can explore the subterranean winery, savor wine on the tree-shaded terrace, and enjoy weekend live music with stunning views.
Expert wine staff serve in the tasting room, offering a complimentary souvenir glass to guests during their visit. You can also enjoy private tastings in the Cellar’s library.
Pedernales Cellars began with Larry and Jeanine Kuhlken, who planted their first vineyard near Fredericksburg in the early 1990s. Then in 2005, their children, along with their spouses began plans for what would become Pedernales Cellars. This stunning Stonewall, TX venue is on the 290 Wine Trail, just 15 minutes from Fredericksburg, boasting incredible beauty. Not one you want to miss.
Our last stop of the day is the highly acclaimed William + Chris Vineyards. Upon entering, you’ll sense early Texas charm, encountering a timeless century-old farm property exuding peace and tranquility. This family owned boutique winery rests above a gently sloping estate vineyard in the historic town of Hye, Texas.
The main tasting room resides in a charmingly restored 1905 farmhouse adorned with antique windows, original wood, and century-old architecture. Owners Bill Blackmon and Chris Brundrett embrace the hill country’s history, employing Old World wine techniques since their 2008 William Chris label debut.
The vineyards cultivate 40 acres of grape varieties, such as Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Tannat, Mourvèdre, and Trebbiano Toscano. Guests can enjoy music in the spacious pavilion, relax on the deck, and savor Hye Edibles’ “small bites” with breathtaking views.
These stunning properties offer wine clubs, shipping your favorite wines home upon each release, a service not all wineries provide.
After stimulating your interest, we aspire to showcase Texas’ remarkable attractions and experiences, along with its exceptional wines. Hoping you found fascinating details in Downunda’s Texas Wine Trail, providing luxury pool-worthy wine options.
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