July 31, 2023
Food & Drink, Feature,
Texas Hill Country is putting itself on the map as a premier destination for top-of-the-line wines. Here are the top wineries for an afternoon to enjoy the reds, whites and everything in between!
See also: The 10 Best Brunch Spots in ATX
Bell Springs Winery
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3700 Bell Springs Road, Dripping Springs / 512.643.7398 / Website
Between their gazebo and lawn space, indoor production room, and party room, there’s plenty of space for everyone at Bell Springs Winery. With musical guests and an on-site food truck, enjoy dinner, wine and a show! For the summertime, their Drippin’ Sweet White Wine is infused with fresh peaches, soaring with notes of tropical fruit, and a touch of natural effervescence. Paired with their Honey Bee Bites, your tastebuds are in for a real treat.
Flat Creek Estate
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24912 Travis Peak Trail, Marble Falls / 512.267.6310 / Website
Flat Creek Estate has earned more than 400 awards and accolades, including multiple Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. Combined with its pristine vineyards, an elegant tasting room, a full-service restaurant, a covered pavilion and a one-of-a-kind, 18-hole disc golf course, this estate is an all-day destination. As if they couldn’t get any better, on the first, second, third and fifth Saturdays of every month from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., they have the Lago Vista Farmer’s Market where you can buy products from local vendors.
Spicewood Vineyards
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1419 Co Rd 409, Spicewood / 830.693.5328 / Website
After spending time in the Ribera del Duero vineyards, Ron Yates developed a taste for Spanish wines, which he combined with his Texas family roots when he purchased the Vineyard in 2007. With grapes produced in Texas, the Yates family and the Spicewood Vineyards staff are committed to producing the best wines possible. What started as 17 acres of grape vines has expanded to 32 acres growing several varieties including chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and tempranillo. In order to ensure that wine lovers get the best quality products, Spicewood Vineyards works with well-established grape growers here in Texas who share the same passion for being in the vineyard to ensure we have a steady supply of high-quality grapes in a wide selection of varieties.
Becker Vineyards
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464 Becker Farms Rd., Fredericksburg / 830.644.2681 / Website
Like many Texans, the Becker family began searching for a log cabin to renovate in order to create a Texas Hill Country getaway from their home in nearby San Antonio. The 46 acres of raw land and fallow fields of deep sand and Precambrian granitic soils 1500 feet above sea level happened to be an added bonus. Their newest release, the Jolie, was created by pressing Counoise grapes and blending roses of cabernet sauvignon and syrah to add a unique and fruity flavor to the palate.
Signor Vineyards
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362 Livesay Ln., Fredericksburg / 830.304.7446 / Website
Experience the romance of one of Texas’ most beautiful vineyards at Signor. The Signor family is a sixth-generation Texan farming, ranching, and horticultural family, and Signor Vineyards embraces its rich heritage and traditions. Whether you’re sipping on their award-winning estate tannat and grand pere on the great lawn or enjoying a bite to eat at Joanna’s Market, you’re sure to relish in this vineyard's breathtaking views.
Ab Astris
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320 Klein Rd., Stonewall / 830.644.8369 / Website
Head on up to Ab Astris to try their newly released Aurora Texas high plains rosé. Ab Astris is a family-run boutique winery located in Stonewall, Texas, that specializes in creating handcrafted vintages in the Texas Hill Country. This 12-acre plot consists of four acres of Tannat, two acres of Souza, two acres of Clairette Blanche, two acres of Petite Sirah and two acres of Montepulciano. Their estate Clairette Blanche is medium-bodied with bright acidity, chalky minerality, lime/lemon zest and white pepper on the nose with hints of honeydew melon, mint and lychee that are certain to please the palate.
Slate Theory
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10915 US-290, Fredericksburg / 830.998.8306 / Website
Slate Theory takes pride in its uniqueness stemming from its artistic styling. By experimenting with fruit in smaller quantities allows them to find the perfect balance between tannins, acidity, and alcohol. Slate Theory also extends its efforts to helping the community in all capacities. The Therapist and the Patient wines were created in a collaboration between Slate Theory Winery and The Big Silence Foundation to continue to open up mental health conversations and break the silence together. A portion of the proceeds benefit The Big Silence Foundation’s programs and tools to support people’s mental health journey.
Photography by: Rostislav_Sedlacek / Getty Images