Road Trip - Texas Wine Country

76

By prizmsoul

Texas Hill Country Harvest Wine Tour 2008

6 Days. 22 Wineries. An excellent pairing! Read about the travels of valient Captain Black Scat and his intrepid navigator Prizmsoul, as they roadtrip through the rich rolling Texas Hill Country on a quest for the wonderful wines of the Lone Star State.

The Texas Hill Country Harvest Wine Tour spanned two weekends, Aug. 15-17 and 22-24, 2008. This was a self-guided tour not for the faint of heart! Trail events are held throughout the year, with new wines presented and special events planned for the changing seasons.

We spent weekend 1 in and around the Fredericksburg area.

Weekend 2 was centered in Marble Falls and the Texas Lakes region.

Texas Hill Country
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Texas Hill Country

Weekend 1

FRIDAY

Roadtrip begins in Corpus Christi - Top off the tank, fill the ice chest, and acquire breakfast tacos at the Valero gas station with the Laredo Taco Company inside, next door to the Valero store without tacos, down the block from the Valero Corner Store.

Driving IH37 to San Antonio - Stopped at the Live Oak County Safety Rest Area, mile marker 79. Clean restrooms, phones, wi-fi, picnic area.

Drove through San Antonio to IH10 NW proceeding to Comfort, TX. The first three wineries on our tour were located in and around Comfort.

SINGING WATER VINEYARDS. Just west of Comfort, TX. The host assured us this would be our favorite stop on the tour. Scenic vineyards with quaint tasting room. Hostess gave us a tour of the tank and barrel rooms. Four wines were presented for tasting. Reserve Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon Blend, bordeaux-style Merlot, and a Sauvignon Blanc.
We purchased the 2006 Sweet Lupe semi-sweet Merlot, $13.95.

COMFORT CELLARS WINERY. In Comfort, TX, off the main road. Several wines for the tasting, including novelties like Jalapeno wine for marinating, and a great Raisin dessert wine. The hostess was not a drinker and could not give us any information about the wines or the winery. This was more of a gift shop that happens to offer wine as well.
We purchased the Chenin Blanc.

Lunch at CYPRESS CREEK INN. In Comfort, TX, off the main road. Typical country fare and small buffet. Helpful staff.

SISTER CREEK VINEYARDS. East of Comfort in Sisterdale, TX. This was a great drive along winding country roads. The tasting room is an old cotton gin building. The hostess was very knowledgeable and attentive. Tasting 7 wines for $5, and they were all good. Take a self-guided tour of the production and aging rooms. One-of-a-kind gifts available.
We purchased the Reserve 2007 Muscat Canelli, $15.95.

We drove up ranch road 1376 and NW to Luckenbach, TX. Apparently, Luckenbach is a caliche looped road, a dance hall, and a parking lot. Don't park in the musician's section! A little disappointing after singing the Willie and Waylon song for five miles in anticipation of arriving in the famous town.

Continued up ranch road 1376 to US290 and through Fredericksburg, TX.

CHISHOLM TRAIL WINERY. West of Fredericksburg, TX. Usener Road winds up into the hills, past grazing horses and over a couple of cattle guards. Just when you think you must be on the wrong road, you come to the winery. Saloon atmosphere and colorful western decor. Great hospitality. Tasting 6 wines for $8. Texas Sized Tastings! Winery hosts lots of events throughout the year, live music and dancing.
We purchased Quail Jalapeno sausage.

Back to Fredericksburg to check into our Bed & Breakfast.

CAMP DAVID BED & BREAKFAST. Main Street in Fredericksburg, TX. Cottage-style rooms with full kitchen, complimentary beverages, and full gourmet breakfast brought to your door. Large whirlpool tub! Hostess was very gracious and helpful. Convenient to Main Street shopping. We stayed in Willow Cabin, with its own covered patio next to the main house.

Dinner at HONDO'S. Main Street in Fredericksburg, TX. Seat yourself, order at the bar, pick up your food when your big plastic remote device buzzes. Famous for its...donut burger? There was nothing donutty about the shape of this average burger. Cold curly fries. And how could they mess up a Frito Pie?! That's nearly Texas treason. The only good things here were alfresco dining and a nice dance area. We hope you have better luck here than we did.

Comfort, Sisterdale and Fredericksburg,TX.
Comfort, Sisterdale and Fredericksburg,TX.

SATURDAY

CHOO CHOO PATIO SHOPPE. 614 W. Main Street in Fredericksburg, TX. Holy Guacamole! I wish I had more eyes to peruse this huge selection of garden and patio stuff. Mexican and Hill Country style, indoor and outdoor furniture, pots, gifts, fountains, statuary, etc. Helpful staff. Bring a truck.

! The next four wineries are all located east of Fredericksburg, off the south side of US290, and are quite near each other. That's alot of wine tasting so please drive carefully! Take your time, have something to eat, and enjoy yourself.

GRAPE CREEK VINEYARDS. Just southeast of Fredericksburg off of US290 (about 9.5 miles). "Tuscany in Texas" indeed. Impressive architecture, lovely building. Staff was friendly and set up for wine trail hospitality with 7 wines for tasting in the gift shop. $5 for 4 premium wines in the tasting room (which you get back if you buy a bottle). The host who facilitated our premium tasting was knowledgeable and gave us plenty of tips on tasting and buying wine. Cheese, sausage, sauces, and chocolate for purchase. You can buy a bottle and picnic outside overlooking the young grape vines.

TORRE Di PIETRA WINERY. Southeast of Fredericksburg off of US290 (about 10 miles). Nice stone building and pretty landscaping. Extensive patio area and live music. Belly up to the tasting bar and you have lots of wines to choose from. 2 free tastings for the trail participants. 5 tastings for $5. Gifts and some food available.
We purchased the Classico Red Wine, $19.95.

BECKER VINEYARDS. Southeast of Fredericksburg off of US290 (about 11 miles). Nice gift shop. Tasting was set up in the large barrel room. 3 free tastings for trail participants. 6 tastings for $5. Large variety of wines. Staff was very friendly. The Homestead B&B and the Lavender Hause event room is on the property. Expansive vineyards and lavender fields.
We purchased the 2007 Texas Riesling, of course, $9.95.

WOODROSE WINERY. Southeast of Fredericksburg off of US290 (about 14 miles) in Stonewall, TX. 3 free tastings for the tour. 8 tastings for $6 on the terraced outdoor patio. Your server will bring cheese and crackers, and serve these tastings at your table. Try the wrought iron rocking chairs. The live music was a blues/folk fusion with electric guitar and sax. Great hostess. It was relaxing to sit back for a while, listen to the music and enjoy!

Back to Fredericksburg, west on US290.

WILDSEED FARMS. South of Fredericksburg off of US290 on the north side (about 7 miles). Upscale nursery and garden gifts. Lots of rock planters, wildflower seed mixes, mail order catalog available, gourmet food. Free wine tasting (just when we thought enough was enough, lol). Variety of wines available from local wineries.

Dinner at the AUSLANDER BIERGARTEN AND RESTAURANT. In Fredericksburg, TX. Wonderful meal. Good salad, home-made rolls, great chicken fried steak and wienerschnitzel, hot german potato salad. Friendly staff. Largest selection of beers in the hill country.

Wineries outside of Fredericksburg, TX.
Wineries outside of Fredericksburg, TX.

SUNDAY

Checked out of our Bed and Breakfast and took a stroll along Main Street. Lots of Texana, upscale gifts and furniture stores, art galleries. A few specialty foofoo stores, They take themselves pretty seriously, folks.

BERKMAN BOOKS. On Main Street in Fredericksburg. Quaint and clean bookstore with new and used books. Antique books and maps. Tasteful decor and friendly staff. These books are lovingly sorted, perfect for the avid bibliophile.

FREDERICKSBURG WINERY. On Main Street in Fredericksburg. Free tastings of any or all of their wines. Knowledgeable staff, but business-like (little bit of an attitude). There is a warehouse feel to the building, which sets this winery apart from those that have an obvious connection to the land and the grapes growing in the vineyard.
We purchased the Red table wine, $16.95.

East from Fredericksburg to Johnson City, TX.

TEXAS HILLS VINEYARD. Just east of Johnson City, TX. Great service here at their tasting room in the round. Helpful and upbeat staff. Free tastings of all, plus premium tastings. Samples of vanilla ice cream with a drizzle of raspberry vinegar. Excellent! Large picturesque vineyard.
We purchased the 2007 Estate Rosato di Sangiovese, $12.95.

Lunch at the HILL COUNTRY CUPBOARD. In Johnson City, TX. Home of the World's Best Chicken Fried Steak. Well, I don't know about that, but the catfish and pork chops were excellent. It's all about the food here. Small-town truck stop atmosphere. Enjoy a glass of sweet tea. Good service.

South from Johnson City on US290 to US281, then east on TX46 towards New Braunfels, TX.

DRY COMAL CREEK VINEYARDS AND WINERY. Off of TX46, about 8 miles north of New Braunfels, TX. Family owned, with very open and friendly hosts. Free extensive guided tour by owner. 3 of 6 free tastes for wine trail; switch off with your partner and try them all. They threw in a taste of home-made sangria and the recipe! This is Texas wine making at its best, with special Black Spanish grapes.
We purchased the White Black Spanish table wine, $16.99.

Headed home to Corpus Christi and can't wait for the second half of our trip next weekend!

Last three wineries of the weekend
Last three wineries of the weekend

Weekend 2

FRIDAY

Leaving Corpus Christi, driving IH37 through San Antonio, then east on IH35 towards Austin, TX.

Early lunch at RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS & SPIRITS. In the Forum at Olympia Parkway. Great service, good foofoo burgers, etc.

IH35 through San Marcos, west on RM150 at Kyle, TX.

MANDOLA ESTATE WINERY. About 6 miles south of Driftwood, TX. Beautiful grounds and gourmet food at the Trattoria Lisina. Free tasting of 4 wines. They were all flavorful dry whites, even the Moscato. They were sold out of the reds, so we look forward to tasting the 2007 reds at the 2008 holiday wine trail. Great self-tour stroll along the corridor to view the tank and barrel rooms.
We purchased the 2007 Vermentino, $18.00.

DRIFTWOOD VINEYARDS AND WINERY. Just north of Driftwood, TX. Best of Hill Country driving. Long winding steep caliche road to the top of the hill. Modest tasting room. 6 tastings for $5, 3 free tastes for the wine trail. Fantastic hilltop view. Wines from their Napa Valley sister vineyard. Small gift shop. Great service.
We purchased the 2006 Dry Rose Merlot, $12.

STONE HOUSE VINEYARD. Just east of Spicewood, TX. Extremely unassuming tasting room built with huge blocks of native limestone. Available for special events. 6 tastes for $5, 3 free tastes for trail participants. Mostly wines from Australia. Estate wine is made with the uncommon Norton grape variety.

West off TX71. Spicewood Vineyards closed a little early, so we didn't get to taste today. We saw this one later in the weekend. Loose cattle. Back road driving.

McREYNOLDS WINES. Just north of Cypress Mill, TX. Excellent service. The host was engaging and hospitable. The wine was very good! Small tasting room of hand-wrought wood. Generous tastings.
We purchased the 2002 Merlot and the 2005 Blanca's Muscat Love, $15 each.

HAMPTON INN on the Lake. Lake Marble Falls, TX. Front desk service was very good and the followed up with a call to the room to make sure everything was ok. Comfortable room with microwave and fridge. Good bed. Fantastic lake view. Large complimentary breakfast served until 10 am.

Dinner at THE BLUE BONNET CAFE. A Marble Falls, TX icon, in operation for 79 years. One of those places where it's all about the food. Homey truckstop atmosphere. Beautiful pies for sale by the slice or whole. There was a line of people filing in on Saturday morning. Fast and friendly service, the food was adequate. Yummy homemade yeast rolls.

Wineries south of Marble Falls, TX.
Wineries south of Marble Falls, TX.

SATURDAY

North from Marble Falls on US281 towards Lampasas, TX.

TEXAS LEGATO WINERY AND VINEYARDS. About 4 miles west of Lampasas, TX. Family owned and open on weekends only. Small selection for tasting. Modest tasting room with big dreams. Good tasting snacks selection. No drawing for the wine trail here. Lesson in using a port sipper was fun and enlightening.

PILLAR BLUFF VINEYARDS. In Lampasas, TX. Careful, Naruna Road is easy to miss. Lovely covered picnic area in-the-round. Great hosts, humorous and interesting. Several good wines to try here. A few estate wines, including the "Boar Doe". Small tasting room and gift shop.
We purchased the 2005 Founder's Red.

RR580 west out of Lampasas. Amazing scenic drive. The landscape just keeps getting prettier.

ALAMOSA WINE CELLARS. Off ranch road 580 past Bend, TX. Hostess was very knowledgeable about the wine process and the growing season. Grape stomping was underway. Owner was very generous and gave us two wine glasses from the Austin Wine Festival and two wine journals from gotexaswine.com. Pretty building with cedar and native stone columns, nice tasting room.
We purchased the 2004 Grenache Rose Sec, $11.99.

Backtrack a little to RR581 west. From Cherokee, TX south on TX16 and east at Llano.

FALL CREEK VINEYARDS. Just north of Tow, TX. Annual Grape Stomp! This was a party going on round here. Food and wine pairing classes on the patio (cool water misters included). Chicken salad, veggies, pulled pork and cheese plates. Stomp a t-shirt and take it home. Lots of people milling around and tasting their large selection of wine. Live music.

South on TX261, past IH29 to Kingsland.

LOST CREEK VINEYARDS. Off of RR2233. Careful, no signs marking the turnoff. Steep and scenic drive. Newly built tasting room is an elegant serving bar, with stone-terraced outdoor amphitheater seating. Live music. Good wines. Bistro Blends of Texas was there with a selection of flavored balsamics and breads for tasting.
We purchased the 2005 Chardonnay, $16.95.

Went back a bit out of our way, south on 71 to the vineyard that was closed yesterday.

SPICEWOOD VINEYARDS. Just northwest of Spicewood, TX. Very low key and slightly indifferent. These guys just weren't into it. 3 free tastings for the trail. Long winding drive, pretty vineyards and small patio area.

Back to Marble Falls, TX.

Dinner at RIVER CITY GRILLE. Adjacent to the Hampton Inn. Good service, good food. Great atmosphere. Bottom balcony is on the lake with live music on Saturday nights. We can vouch for the baby back ribs and the smoked sirloin.

Wineries north of Marble Falls, TX.
Wineries north of Marble Falls, TX.

 SUNDAY

Checked out of our hotel. East on FM1431 towards Cedar Park, TX. Past the exit for the next vineyard, as they did not open until noon on Sunday.

Hiking at BALCONES CANYONLANDS WARBLER VISTA WILDLIFE REFUGE. Off of FM1431, just north of Lago Vista, TX. Drive up a steep road for about .75 miles. Moderate+ hike of the Cactus Rock Trail with awesome views of Lake Travis and Pace Bend Park. Couple of miles of trails, with trail markers, and the sunset observation deck at the top. Two parking areas and info available.

Backtrack a little on FM1431 to Singleton Bend Road.

FLAT CREEK ESTATE. About 6 miles west of Lago Vista. Beautiful vineyard. Huge patio and large elegant tasting room in native stone. Hand-painted murals. We enjoyed very friendly attention by one of the divas herself. The owner was attentive and helpful. Great wines. We had a tranquil picnic lunch in the covered patio overlooking the grapevines. The last of the road munchies and a big glass of the Pinot Grigio. Life is good.
We purchased the 2007 Pinot Grigio at $17.95, and two tasty sparkling wines, Raspberry and Almond, at $15.95 each.

Home to Corpus Christi, via San Marcos and south on US181. What a great trip!

Last winery of the trip.
Last winery of the trip.
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