Wineries of the Texas Hill country and Fredericksburg include Wine Road 290
You have probably heard of Fredericksburg, Texas even if you haven’t come to visit yet. Having been featured in virtually every travel magazine, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and a regular on HGTV, Fredericksburg and the surrounding Texas Hill Country has become a must vacation destination. A beautiful, historic main street, amazing shopping, excellent restaurants and a plethora of bed and breakfasts have drawn visitors for years. And then there are the wineries and vineyards!
Wineries have been popping up in the area like mushrooms in the Texas Hill country, and increasing numbers of visitors are coming to sample them. A recent poll by the travel Web site Orbitz found that the Hill Country is the nation's second-fastest-growing wine destination, behind only California's Napa Valley.
Of Texas' more than 160 wineries, 30 are in the Hill Country. Nine of them have joined to form Wine Road 290 and wine road 290 has become a favorite way to entertain guest and friends. You can easily spend a whole weekend driving the stretch of 290 between Fredericksburg and Johnson City, stopping and exploring all of the outstanding wineries that make up Wine Road 290. For more about Wine Road 290 and upcoming events click here
Pedernales Cellars Located at 2916 Upper Albert Road, Stonewall. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Tasting of five wines, $6; fee is waived with wine purchase. Wine by the glass: $6 to $12. Contact: 830-644-2037; www.pedernalescellars.com
Woodrose Winery Located at 662 Woodrose Lane, Stonewall. Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Live music 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Tasting of six basic wines, $7; three sweet wines, $5; three premium wines, $10. Wine by the glass: $6.50 to $9. Contact: 830-644-2539; www.woodrosewinery.com
Becker Vineyards Located at 464 Becker Farms Road, Stonewall. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Tasting of six wines, $5. Free tours usually leave every 30 minutes every day. B&B, $125 per night. Contact: 830-644-2681; www.beckervineyards.com/
Torre di Pietra Located at 10915 E. Highway 290, Fredericksburg. Hours: daily, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tasting of five wines, $5. Contact: 830-644-2829; www.texashillcountrywine.com
Grape Creek Vineyards Located at 10587 E. Highway 290, Fredericksburg. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tasting of five white-label wines, $5; three or four black-label, $5; both white- and black-label wines and logo wine glass, $10. B&B (two-night minimum), $165 per night for use of one bedroom; $215 for both. Includes bottle of wine, continental breakfast and free white-label tasting. Contact: 830-644-2710; www.grapecreek.com
Rancho Ponte Located at 315 Ranch-to-Market Road 1376, Fredericksburg. Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday (to 6 p.m. Saturday). Tasting of any five wines, plus a logo wine glass, $8. Contact: 830-990-8555; www.ranchoponte.com
Fredericksburg Winery Located at 247 W. Main St., Fredericksburg. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. No fee for tasting of up to six wines, except reserve wines, which are $2 per taste or $5 for three. Contact: 830-990-8747; www.fbgwinery.com
Chisholm Trail Winery . Located at 2367 Usener Road, Fredericksburg. Hours: noon to 6 p.m. Thursday-Monday; closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Tastings (minimum $5): $1 to $3 each; taste of every wine, $14 and up. Contact: 1-877-990-2675; www.chisholmtrailwinery.com
Texas Hills Vineyard Located at 878 Ranch-to-Market Road 2766 (one mile east of U.S. Highway 290/281), Johnson City. Tasting room hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Basic tasting of four wines, free; additional tastes, $1 each; tasting of four premium wines, $5. Tours are free, but must be arranged in advance; no tours on Saturday. Contact: 830-868-2321; www.texashillsvineyard.com