Day Trips

TASTE Wine + Art occupies an unassuming little storefront on the west side of the square in Johnson City. Behind the plate-glass windows, which reflect the 96-year-old rough limestone county courthouse, is a showcase for Texas artists and unique wines from around the world.

Susan Kirchman and Warren Vilmaire started the business to combine the things they love. She is an artist and former professor of photography who enjoys bringing world-class regional artists to a local audience. He is a wine steward with a penchant for small-batch vintages.

It seems like there is always something exciting going on at the gallery, whether it is a new art exhibition or a rare wine that Warren enthusiastically recommends. You can try the wines by the taste or by the glass before you commit to a bottle or case.

With a glass of wine in hand, visitors study the art exhibits, relax on the patio next to the studio, or soak in the artwork in the tree-shaded, creek-side sculpture garden.

TASTE Wine + Art is at 213 N. Nugent Ave. in Johnson City. The gallery is open Thursday through Monday. On the second Sunday of the month, the gallery hosts live music beginning at 1pm. The artists visit on the last Saturday of the month from 4 to 8pm to talk about their art over wine and cheese. For more information, call 830/868-9290 or go to www.tastewineart.com.

1,122th in a series. Collect them all. Day Trips, Vol. 2, a book of "Day Trips," is available for $8.95, plus $3.05 for shipping, handling, and tax. Mail to: Day Trips, PO Box 33284, South Austin, TX 78704.