Texas Hill Country Wine Trail
October is Texas Wine Month. Why not celebrate it by taking the Texas Wine Trail? Beautiful weather, a pretty drive, and some delicious wines await. To encourage you further, 13 wineries are offering a $20 passport good for tastings, a little food, a T-shirt, and the opportunity for 17 people to win up to two cases of Texas wine. Since most Texas wineries are family-run operations, you might even have the opportunity to talk to the winemaker and find out about this enjoyable and exasperating way to make a modest living.
October 7 and 8 will be the kickoff, but several of the wineries will be taking part the whole month. One pass is good for all of the wineries listed below. In order to be eligible for the wine giveaway, you must get your passport stamped by at least eight wineries. We’ve listed each of the participating wineries below, along with their phone numbers and addresses and some don’t-miss wines. If you have a Net connection, there’s an easy-to-use map at www.texaswinetrail.com. Warning: Some wineries in dry counties will be forced to use alternate locations, and some will just participate the first weekend, so be sure to call ahead. To purchase a passport, call 830/868-2321.
Alamosa Wine Cellars
Three miles west of Bend, just off FM 580, 915/628-3313
Don’t miss: Sangiovese
Becker Vineyards
Jenschke Lane, 1.8 miles south of Hwy. 290 W., Fredericksburg, 830/644-2681
Don’t miss: Claret, Viognier, Provence
Cana Cellars Winery & Vineyard
11217 Fitzhugh, off Hwy. 290 W., Austin 512/288-6027
Don’t miss: Muscat Canelli
Comfort Cellars Winery
723 Front St., across the street from the post office, Comfort, 830/995-3274
Don’t miss: Dry Muscat Canelli
Dry Comal Creek Vineyards & Winery
1741 Herbelin Rd., six miles west of New Braunfels, 830/885-4076
Don’t miss: Sweet French Colombard
Fall Creek Vineyards
RR 2241, west of Lake Buchanan, past Tow 915/379-5361
Don’t miss: Granite Reserve, Reserve Chardonnay
Fredericksburg Winery
247 W. Main in the Bluebonnet Marketplace, Fredericksburg, 830/990-8747
Don’t miss: Two Sisters
Grape Creek Vineyard
Hwy. 290 W. at South Grape Creek, nine miles east of Fredericksburg, 830/644-2710
Don’t miss: Cabernet Trois
McReynolds Winery
706 Shovel Mt. Rd., off FM 1478, Cypress Mill, 830/825-3544
Don’t miss: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon
Pillar Bluff Vineyards
Off FM 1478, 3.5 miles southwest of Lampasas, 512/556-4078
Don’t miss: Chardonnay
Sister Creek Vineyards
FM 1376, 22 miles south of Hwy 290. W., Sisterdale, 830/324-6704
Don’t miss: Merlot
Spicewood Vineyards
CR 409, off Hwy. 71 W., Spicewood, 830/693-5328
Don’t miss: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Texas Hills Vineyards
RR 2766, off Hwy. 281 S., one mile east of Johnson City, 830/868-2321
Don’t miss: Pinot Grigio, Moscato, Sangiovese
This article appears in October 6 • 2000.
