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Sip and Savor the Big Flavors of Texas Wine Country

By , September 27th, 2017

Did you know the Texas Hill Country outside of Austin and San Antonio has been listed as one of the 10 best wine travel destinations in the world and is the second most visited wine region in the United States, only behind Napa? Of course you did! You’re a cultured, sophisticated individual who knows their wine. Nonetheless, let’s catch you up on some Texas wineries.

With four wine trails and more than 70 wineries, it’s no wonder the Texas Hill Country AVA (American Viticultural Area — wine growing region) is becoming the Lone Star state’s premier wine destination. But, with so many choices, narrowing down where to sip and stay can be a challenge. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite resorts, hotels and B&B’s in the Texas Hill Country AVA along with nearby wineries to help your wine getaway be perfectly balanced with a hint of awesome on the finish.


Texas Wine Country

The Vineyard B&B at Lost Creek Ranch

Intimate and Luxurious | Llano, Texas

It’s one thing to visit the Texas wineries, it’s another to immerse yourself in it. Staying onsite at a local vineyard is the perfect way to do just that. While there are multiple vineyard stay experiences in the Texas Hill Country, a getaway to The Vineyard B&B at Lost Creek Ranch is sure to please any palette.

This intimate and luxurious boutique B&B is nestled in the Central Texas Hill Country, just 45 minutes west of Austin, minutes from Lyndon B. Johnson Lake and about a 30-minute drive to the popular wine trail, Wine Road 290. Each of the well-appointed rooms is named and decorated after popular wine varietal characteristics. For instance, the Shiraz Room is done is an eclectic style that will be appealing to many tastes while the Zinfandel Room furnishings are accented by spicy colors like orange and lime green to create a zesty ambiance.

Pick your favorite variety and pair it with your stay, or discover a new taste after taking in the stunning views from your patio, overlooking the vineyard with vast miles of open hill country.

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Location: 1125 Ranch Road 2233, Sunrise Beach Village, TX 78643

Nearby Wineries Not to Miss: Perissos Vineyards and Winery, Torr Na Lochs Vineyard & Winery, Spicewood Vineyards, Stone House Vineyard

Texas Wine Fact: There are eight AVA’s (wine growing regions) and 400 wineries in Texas.


Horseshoe Bay Resort

Golf on the Lakeside | Horseshoe Bay, Texas

A lakeside resort nestled in the Texas Hill Country simply can’t be beat. Surrounded by Lake LBJ, Horseshoe Bay Resort offers impressive views of the Texas Hill Country from all of its 249 luxury guest rooms or one, two, or three-bedroom vacation apartments.

With four award-winning golf courses on the resort’s property, a full-service spa, lakeside activities, multiple pools, a yacht club and even a sand beach, Horseshoe Bay Resort is a Texas wine country destination the whole family can enjoy.

You may find yourself exploring the resort’s amenities more than the local Texas wineries. Fear not, the pool-side servers can make sure you’re sipping local wines so you can do your own, personalized wine tastings. However, we highly recommend you head over to Wine Road 290, about a 30-minute drive from the resort.

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Location: 200 Hi Cir N, Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657

Nearby Wineries Not to Miss: Texas Hills Vineyard, William Chris Vineyards, Spicewood Vineyards, Stone House Vineyard

Texas Wine Tip: There are four designated wine trails in the Texas Hill Country. The most popular is Wine Road 290, which runs along the 30-mile stretch of US Highway 290 from Fredericksburg to Johnson City. This area is home to the highest concentration of wineries in the state of Texas. As of this posting, there are more than 20 wineries on highway 290.


Sage Hill Inn & Spa

A Romantic, Luxury Getaway | Kyle, Texas

Looking for a romantic, luxury getaway in the heart of Texas wine country? The Sage Hill Inn & Spa is the perfect escape. This boutique inn and spa features four private cottages and several luxury suites, all with relaxing porches to soak in the sweeping views of the Hill Country. Among the cottages, there are two- and three-bedroom options, making the inn a perfect setting for a wine getaway with a small group of friends.

Your stay at the Sage Hill Inn & Spa comes with a full hot breakfast and an award-winning, three-course dinner at the Restaurant at Sage Hill. (Both meals are complimentary for guests.) Chef Kristen Abram designs each meal using local farm-to-table ingredients that are perfectly paired with wine suggestions.

At the end of the day, unwind in style at the huge pool deck, or the 14-person hot tub. And after dinner, grab a glass of wine and head to the large outdoor fire pit where you can enjoy a sweeping view of the stars.

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Location: 4444 W FM 150, Kyle TX 78640

Nearby Wineries Not to Miss: Driftwood Estate Winery, Duchman Family Winery, Wimberley Valley Winery, Bell Springs Winery

Texas Wine Fact: Texas is the site of the first vineyard established in North America by Franciscan priests circa 1662.


Tapatio Springs Hill Country Spa and Resort

Top-Notch Cuisine and Views for Miles | Boerne, Texas

Tapatio Springs Hill Country Spa and Resort makes for an amazing retreat for your wine tasting adventures in the Texas Hill Country. The 220-acre property is close to it all but tucked far enough away to give you a sense of solitude.

Tapatio Springs is known for its award-winning golf-course, but the amenities go far beyond golf. The resort offers a full-service spa, as well as a variety of guest rooms and hotel suites, each with a comfortable living space decked out with leather furnishings and a private patio overlooking the Texas Hill Country.

Despite the luxurious comforts of your guest room, you may find yourself wanting to spend more time outside soaking up the awe-inspiring views from one of the pools, hot tubs, fire pits. Better yet, sip in the view at the resort’s signature restaurant, La Cascada Table & Bar, which has been named to the Top 10 Diners’ Choice Award Winners for “Best Outdoor Dining Destinations.”

Tapatio Hotel and Resort is located about an hour south of Fredericksburg and Wine Road 290, but only a 20-minute drive to The Guadalupe Wine Trail. This fairly small wine trail is populated with a handful of boutique wineries that will provide a weekend’s worth of sipping in the flavors of Texas Hill Country AVA.

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Nearby Wineries Not to Miss: Singing Water Vineyards, Bending Branch Winery, Kerrville Hills Winery, Sister Creek Vineyards

Texas Wine Fact: Everything is bigger in Texas, including the Texas Hill Country AVA. This AVA is the second largest certified Viticultural Area in America with well over nine million acres.


Hoffman Haus

Germany In Texas | Fredericksburg, Texas

Hoffman Haus is a luxury B&B in the core of historic downtown Fredericksburg. Settled by German immigrants in 1846, Fredericksburg is registered on the National Register of Historic Places in Texas and has become a hub for Texas wineries.

Made up of a collection of historic homes and buildings, the B&B was designed to celebrate the heritage of Fredericksburg. As a guest at Hoffman Haus, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in a bygone era while enjoying a seamless blend of modern amenities and timeless charm.

You can choose to stay in a German homestead dating back to 1871, a 1905 Farmhouse, a 1905 Sunday House, or one of the inn’s private cottages or suites. Each has a style all its own but promises to provide a unique experience with luxurious accommodations. One of those little luxuries includes a complimentary gourmet breakfast delivered to your door at nine each morning. Another tucked away luxury is the Hoffman Haus day spa, which you’ll find down a garden path in a cozy cottage.

Located just a block from downtown Fredericksburg, you are mere steps away from local tasting rooms, restaurants, and museums. Make sure to head over to Otto’s Bistro for dinner, where you can sample regional German cuisine and a stellar wine selection. Finish off your evening at House. Wine, a local wine bar where you can sample wines from all over the Lone Star state.

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Location: 608 East Creek Street, 78624, Fredericksburg, USA

Nearby Wineries Not to Miss: 4.0 Cellars, Barons Creek Vineyards, Grapecreek Vineyards, Mendelbaum Cellars

Texas Wine Tip: The Fredricksburg 290 Wine Shuttle, is a great way to visit several wineries located along the Wine Road 290 without the hassle – or risk – of driving. This 30-mile stretch of highway is home to more than 20 vineyards and wineries. The shuttle only stops at 14 wineries though, but for $20 you essentially have a driver – all day. The best part, you can hop on or off at any of the wineries along its route.

 

Featured image by Maja Petric on Unsplash