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The Best Wineries in Texas That You’ll Love!

The Best Wineries in Texas That You’ll Love!

The saying everything’s bigger in Texas is nothing short of the truth, Texas is a sprawling state that has a lot of barren lands to explore. The state is known for a lot of things such as the lone star, farming, and more, however, one thing that Texas has you may not know about is wineries.

Throughout Texas, there are plenty of wineries spanning from the Texas hill country to the Texas High Plains. Texas provides an optimal climate for the growth and cultivation of premium wine selections which is why countries from all over the world import their grapes to Texas for cultivation.

Grapes from places such as Southern France and Italy are imported into Texas to create some of the best-tasting wines that you’ll ever get your hands on. The areas where the most thriving wineries are located are referred to as Texas’ American Vinicultural Areas which means that they are prime localities where tourists and those interested in exploring all of the various elements of wine can go to experience the entire culture.

In the Texas Hill country alone, there are an estimated 9 million acres of wine grapes currently planted. This gives you a nearly endless amount of options to choose from as it relates to what specific winery you’ll visit, the varying experiences you’ll have with each, the type of wine being cultivated there, and more. Because of its sheer size, the Texas Hill Country is considered to be the 2nd largest wine region in the United States.

For those that are interested in exploring what Texas wineries have to offer, you will first need to know where to begin your search. There are several different wineries located throughout Texas that you can explore to learn more about the different wine selections, brands, varieties, and options that are out there.

In this best-of article, we’re going to provide you with the best wineries in Texas that you can visit today in order to begin your journey of exploring all of the numerous wine types that are available today. To begin, let’s take a look at some of our top recommended Texas wineries in all regions of the state so you can make an educated decision about which one will be perfect for your desires.

Top Recommended Wineries in Texas

As stated before, Texas is home to a lot of different wineries ranging in size, type, and design. These various wineries all produce different selections such as white wine and red wine, which means that you’ll have an entire slew of premium options to choose from when taking your tour. Another important element you want to keep in mind when choosing the right Texas winery is the number of tour features that it offers you.

Some wineries will take you on a full tour of their facility while others will only allow you to visit certain areas and partake in limited activities. Before deciding on which winery, you want to visit, you need to consider your personal preferences as it pertains to the exact type of wine options and scenery you desire to indulge in to ensure you make the right decision.

Read all of our top recommended winery options in the list below, so you can decide on which one is right for your specific wine touring desires.

#1 Becker Vineyards

Becker Vineyards is considered to be one of the most luxurious and expansive wineries in Texas. This particular vineyard has acres of lavender fields that add a nice aesthetic touch to the vineyard overall. In the springtime, a sea of purple flowers will wash over the hill providing you with another beautiful and sprawling view to take in while visiting and exploring this location.

The winery has a lot of different wine options for you to choose from while browsing, the property sprawls an amazing 56 acres and is home to a lot of different wine varieties such as Petite Sirah, Syrah, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sangiovese.

In 2017 alone, the vineyard produced over 1900 tons of Texas fruit wine selections which is quite an astonishing number. This winery has about 3 tank rooms and over 4,500 oak barrels stored in it’s holding facilities. The vineyard produces a wide range of premium wine options including Rose, White, and Red.

Some of their most popular red wine options include the following:

  • Cabernet Franc Reserve
  • Autunno Le Quattro Stagione
  • Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Canada Family
  • Carignan
  • Chevaux Noir
  • & more!

They also have some great-tasting white wine and rose options which include: Chardonnay Reserve, Dry Riesling, Clementine, Fleur Sausage, Muscat Chenin, Malmsey, Muscat Canello Amabile, and more.

The vineyard itself is a 10,000 square foot facility that takes inspiration from a 19th century German stone barn that has a very prominent style that is reflective of the Texas Hill Country. Becker Vineyards was created in 1922 and it has had over three expansions to accommodate the 74 fermentation tanks that are currently in the building.

The vineyard uses advanced technology and tools to deliver crisp, clean, and refreshing wine varieties that can be enjoyed by virtually anyone at any time. The facility is capable of producing about 55 bottles of wine each minute which is pretty fast by today’s standards.

#2 Grape Creek Cellars

Grape Creek Cellars

Grape Creek Cellars is located on the rolling hills and in the distant vistas of the Texas Hill Country. Here, the vineyard has a very similar look and feel to the types of vineyards that you find in Rhone Valley or Italy near southern France.

The vineyard itself has over 100 acres of property that it sits on which gives the growers access to some of the best soil in the area. In order to protect the vines from freezing, this vineyard uses consistent airflow and high ground which helps keep the vines out of harm’s way as it concerns the external weather elements.

This vineyard also comes with an entire entry room and tasting blocks which give you the ability to explore a multitude of different wine selections and varieties with ease. When you book a tour of this vineyard, you will be able to view the entire facility in addition to the crush pad, bottling areas, cellars, and other areas.

Grape Creek Cellars offers a wide range of different wine options including Rose, Red, and white wine selections. Some of their most popular options include the following: 2018 Cuvee Blanc, 2018 Pinot Grigio, 2018 Viognier, 2017 Rendezvous, 2017 Mosaic, and 2018 Rose of Malbec.

#3 Pedernales Cellars

Pedernales Cellars

Pedernales Cellars is operated by a 6th generation wine family and is located on 17 acres of land. This vineyard is located on the Llano Highway and it is the first vinicultural area that was established in Texas.

This vineyard used specialized growing mechanisms that produce a minimal negative impact on the landscape in which the wine and grapes are produced. Each wine variety is planted in a very distinct block on the vineyard and the vineyard itself consists of wine varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache, Albarino, Mourvedre, and more.

This particular vineyard is part of the Texas High Plans grape grower community which consists of a lot of different wine types. Pedernales Cellars produces a wide variety of wine selections including Rose, Red, and White. Some of the most popular wine varieties offered by the vineyard include:

  • 2018 Texas Diva
  • 2017 Texas Albarino
  • 2017 Viognier Reserve
  • 2018 Over the Moon Rose
  • And more!

Some of the most popular red wine varieties offered by this vineyard include 2016 Texas High Plains Tempranillo, 2017 Texas GSM Melange, 2016 Family Reserve, and 2017 Kuhlken Vineyards Reserve.

#4 The Winery at Willow Creek

Best Wineries in Texas Willow Creek

The winery at Willow Creek is not an actual vineyard yet it is classified as a winery, this essentially means that you will be able to choose from a wide range of different wine selections and options, but you won’t be able to see or pick grapes there. The location has a sprawling outdoor patio which allows you to get an up-close view of the property while enjoying the wine that you decide to drink.

You will be able to choose from a wide range of different wine options including red, white, and sweet. Some of their most popular red wine options include Sangiovese, Barbera, Zinful Roots, Tempranillo, Coexist, and more. You will also find a lot of different white wine options at this location including 2 bearded blush, Malvasia Biance, Moscato, and Sauvignon Blanc.

The most popular sweet wines that you’ll find at this winery is Cran Apple Chardonnay, Lady Marmalade, Pet Rescue Rose, and  Peach Chardonnay.

#5 Bending Branch Winery

Bending Branch Winery Texas

The Bending Branch Winery is located south of Fredericksburg along with the sprawling 56-acre bending branch winery. This winery is surrounded by amazing views of the Texas Hill Country in addition to providing visitors with a panoramic view as they enjoy the various selections offered by the company.

This winery puts an immense amount of focus into sustainable farming practices and advanced cultivation techniques which are used to give you access to the over 16 types of grape varieties grown in this area.

You can also go along the James Kiehl River Bend Park which will give you access to the stunning Joshua Springs Park and Preserve which is nearby the area.

#6 Fat Ass Ranch & Winery

Fat Ass Ranch & Winery

Fat Ass Ranch and Winery is a very unique vineyard that produces a huge selection of impeccable wine options that vary in terms of taste, colour, flavour, and more. One of the best things about this particular winery is that they have very little to no strict regulation about how their wine is produced or what ingredients should be used in their vast selections. Most of the grapes that are grown in this location come from the Texas High Plains area and a few Cabernet grapes are grown in locations near Mexico.

This vineyard is known for its great-tasting fruit that is both sweet and powerful in terms of the general flavour that you experience when consuming this particular selection. This vineyard has everything from frozen sangrias to a wide range of other spectacular tasting wines that will leave your mouth watering.

Some of the most popular wine selections offered by this vineyard include:

  • Strawberry Fields
  • Texas Red
  • Peach Wine

This vineyard comes with wooden fences and it has a lot of live music entertainment which will keep you occupied during your visit.

#7 Fiesta Winery

best wineries in texas Fiesta Winery

Fiesta Winery is the largest American Viticulture in Texas with over 58 different soil types in the area. The vineyard itself sits on about 9 million acres of property, it sits along the edge of the Edwards plateau and it is comprised of several different hills along with steep canyons.

The elevation of this vineyard sits at about 426-2,421 feet with soil types that include sandy clay loam and clay loam, and clay. The first 3.5 acres of the Vineyard is located at Baxter Ranch and they were planted in 2010, this particular winery has over 6 different locations where grapes are grown.

This vineyard has premium wine selections including white wines, red wines, and rose wines. The best red wines offered by this vineyard are Back Porch Sittin’, Christmas Cheer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Country Road, and more. The best white wine varieties offered by this winery include Happy Trails, Albarino, 65 Mustang Sally, Lime in coconut, and more.

The favorite rose options offered by this vineyard is Chicky Baby, Sandia, Rhinestone Cowgirl, and Savannah Rose.

#8 Safari Winery

Safari Winery Texas Wineries

Safari Winery is located in Fredericksburg Texas and is one of the premier wineries in the Texas hill country. This winery just opened this year in 2019 and they put a primary focus on European wine selections, South African wine, and Chilean wine.

This winery location is owned and operated by the Itz family who has been in this particular industry ever since the founding of the town. If you’ve never been to South Africa and want to experience what the region has to offer in terms of wine, this is a great location for you to explore where you can get that full experience without having to book a ticket to South Africa.

Every wine bottle offered by this particular brand comes with a label that includes a picture of a sunset silhouette on the back of an African animal riding on a safari. The property is also home to a vast range of acacia trees which are a unique African species of trees that are known for being one of the main food sources that giraffes eat. You have the ability to taste all of the various wine selections offered by this winery as they give you the opportunity to choose from 5 of their most popular items.

#9 The Wine Garage

The Wine Garage

The wine garage is primarily a wine tasting room that is located along U.S. 290 and it is owned by Jennie & Gail McCulloch. These are the same people who own the Fat Ass Ranch & Winery which should tell you a little bit about what to expect when visiting this location.

Both properties share many of the same features since they are owned and operated by the same individual. This winery also has a small gift shop inside of it which allows you to get souvenirs when visiting and exploring the facility.

There are cars in the waiting room of this winery, and you will also find a wide range of different wine-inspired art and accessories which help to accentuate the overall atmosphere of the winery. Some of the most popular wine selections offered by this particular vineyard include the following: Big Daddy’s Caddy 2017, Heavy Chevy 2017, Pantera 2017, Rat Rod 2016, and Camaro Z28 2017.

All of these wines are produced 100% in Texas and they use an interesting label that puts all of the most important information on the back of the label as opposed to it being on the front. This wine is made in the city of Burnet which is a predominant area in the Texas Hill Country that gives you access to a vast array of delicious tasting wines.

Some of the most popular wine options offered by The Wine Garage include Orange Muscat, Apache Pick Up Orange Mimosa, and Rat Rod Rust Bucket Red. If you opt for the wine tasting option, you will have about 5 different selections for you to choose from on the menu offered by the vineyard.

#10 William Chris Vineyards

William Chris Vineyards

William Chris Vineyards is located in Texas along the High Plains and Hill Country, in the late 1970s Bill Blackmon who is the owner of this winery graduated from Texas Tech. The use of old-world winemaking processes and techniques is what truly sets this winery apart from the rest.

This winery is located on about 8 million acres of property and it is sitting in between the High Plains sub-region of the Great Plains. Along the eastern border of the Texas High Plains, it is located 3,000 feet above the ground and sits directly next to the Caprock Escarpment contour line in the area.

The region of this particular winery is well-known for its dry summer days, long days, and cool evenings. This is great because it gives the grapes the optimal environment which they need to be grown and cultivated properly.

The weather patterns in this location are ideal for letting fruit mature long enough just in time for the growing season. The winery sits on over 4,500 planted acres of land which contains about 75 different grape varieties in total.

There are a total of 8 wineries that fall under the Williams Chris Vineyards umbrella and all of them produce very different types of selections for you to choose from.

These are some of our tops recommended Texas wineries that you can visit today if you’re interested in learning more about all of the core factors, elements, and aspects that go into making each bottle of premium wine.

Now, we’re going to go over some of the most commonly asked questions that people have as it relates to Texas wineries so you can be fully informed before booking your wine tour visit.

Brief History of Texas Wineries

Some of the most popular wine varieties that you’ll find in Texas include cabernet sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, & Viognier. 80% of the grapes grown across Texas are located in the High Plains region near the Lubbock area, many of the wineries located in Fredericksburg grow their grapes using an on-site vineyard however they also get grapes from the Texas High Plains for further cultivation.

Fredericksburg is the primary location of wineries across Texas so regardless of where you may be coming from, you will likely end up here when it comes to touring all of the various wineries in Texas. Texas wineries have a rather rich history that many people may not know about, during the 1800s Europe was experiencing a significant decline in their vineyards.

Particularly in 1840, France lost over 80% of its wine vines due to a fungus that infected fields which were known as oidium. To solve this issue, they imported a rootstock from the United States which worked to counteract some of the negative impacts that the original fungus had on it. However, this had a negative side effect as it introduced a new plant louse phylloxera which damaged the vines recovering in the vineyards.

A man by the name of Thomas Volney Munson was developing a phylloxera-resistant rootstock which would help to combat some of the damage caused by the original fungus. Munson was located in Dension, TX and grape growers in France were requesting that he send them some of the rootstocks to help offset the problems they were experiencing at the time.

This moment in time is what led to Texas becoming a very prominent player in the wine industry. Today, Texas is home to a lot of different wineries all across the state which gives wine enthusiasts the ability to explore a wide range of different selections, brands, and options.

FAQs

There are several different elements, aspects, and features that go into creating the perfect bottle of wine that you desire. In the following section, we’re going to explore some of the most frequently asked questions that people have as it relates to Texas wineries and other correlating topics so you will be able to gain the full experience of your trip when taking a visit.

Question: What types of wine are offered at Texas wineries?

You will find many different types of wine selection and options in wineries all across Texas which is what makes it one of the most unique places for wineries.

Question: Where are most Texas wineries located?

Most premium Texas wineries are located in Fredericksburg, TX

Question: What is the best Texas winery?

There are many different Texas wineries out there for you to choose from, there is no definitive way to tell which one is the best it will all depend on your personal preference.

Now that we’ve gone over some of the most commonly asked questions that people have when it comes to wineries in Texas, it’s time to take a look at where you can buy these various selections if you’re interested in trying what they have to offer in terms of taste and flavour.

Where to Buy

Wine is sold in Texas in multiple locations including grocery stores, convenient stores, and licensed alcoholic distributors. One of the best parts about going on a winery tour in Texas is that you don’t have to worry about buying any specific bottle of wine at one time. Since you are touring a winery, you will be able to choose from all of the various options, selections, and varieties that are available in that particular vineyard location.

Most vineyards give you the ability to go on a taste run which allows you to sample all of the wine varieties that they offer without having to outright buy them. Try going through one of the tasting rooms that are available at these different wineries so that you can get a better idea of what specific wine type will be optimal for you.

There are several different licensed and certified alcoholic beverage sellers and stores all around Texas that will be more than happy to assist you with finding the perfect bottle to go with your next meal or any other event that you may be organizing. You can make the process much easier by simply going online and searching for wine or alcoholic beverage stores near you.

Now that we’ve gone over where you can buy premium wine from in Texas, it’s time to take a look at how you should approach choosing the right Texas winery that meets your desired taste.

Choosing the Right Texas Winery

There is a slew of wineries located in Texas all of which produce varying types of wine selection and varieties. If you’re someone that wants to take a trip around a winery facility to experience the full essence of wine, you will want to make sure that you choose the correct winery based on a couple of different key factors.

In this section, we’re going to give you detailed information on how you can go about selecting the right Texas winery for your next trip or any other reason why you may be going to explore what the Texas Hill Country has to offer.

Price

While some wineries charge a hefty penny for you to access their space, others don’t. However, one thing to keep in mind when making your final decision is that oftentimes the free wineries are more limited in terms of what you can and cannot do while on the property. Depending on what you’re trying to gain from the experience, try to find a Texas winery that is fairly inexpensive and tastes great.

The more you pay for a winery doesn’t always translate into a better experience. Always do your proper research to find out how much any winery costs before going to visit.

Size

You want to select a Texas winery that is very big so that you won’t have any restrictions in terms of where you can go or how deep you can explore. Every Texas winery is built on different sizes properties however there are some in existence that was built atop sprawling landscapes. Always look at what your desired setting and ambiance is before deciding on which Texas winery you’re going to visit to ensure you make the right decision.

Conclusion

In this best-of article, we’ve gone over all of the most important aspects, elements, and factors that you need to consider when choosing which Texas winery is right for you. Before booking your trip to any specific Texas winery, it’s important for you to do your proper research which will allow you to uncover some of the history and significance of the location before actually visiting.

Always take into consideration what you desire to get out of the situation in terms of wine tasting options, exploration options, and more so that you will be able to make an educated decision about exactly which winery is optimal for you.

Texas is home to a wide range of different premium wineries all across the state which means that you’ll surely be able to find one that suits your desires in no time. Before making a final decision about which winery is best for you, use all of our resources and tips to help guide you along the right direction in terms of finding that one winery that truly stands out amongst the rest of the crowd.

Further read: 

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