I would be willing to bet that most people visiting Austin, Texas don’t know that they are a quick half hour’s drive from one of the most popular wine destinations in the United States.

**Salt LIck Barbecue in Driftwood, Texas.**

The Texas Hill Country AVA (American Viticultural Area), located due west of Austin, is an area full of up-and-coming wineries that welcome visitors with that classic Southern hospitality. Closest to Austin is the town of Driftwood where your wine journey can begin, along with a stop at Salt Lick Barbecue, home of some of the best barbecue in the Lone Star State.

In another hour and 15 minutes, the small town of Fredericksburg and its surrounding area will charm you with its vibrant wine scene. Traveling east-west along Highway 290 in this part of the Hill Country is where you’ll find over 45 wineries that welcome visitors. And Fredericksburg itself boasts several wine tasting rooms, many of which are within walking distance from quaint shops, great restaurants, live music, and breweries.

Texas Hill Country is where the majority of Texas’s wineries and tasting rooms can be found, but most of the grapes are grown a four to six hour’s drive away. It’s in the Texas High Plains AVA, mostly west of Lubbock, where calcareous soil, high elevations, long days of sunshine, and cool nights provide optimal grape growing conditions.

Like most wine producing areas across the US, winemaking in Texas was effectively shut down during prohibition and didn’t regain its footing until the 1970s, when the modern Texas wine industry was born. Today, Texas is the nation’s fifth largest wine-producing state, behind California, Washington State, New York and Oregon, and the Fredericksburg area of the Texas Hill Country is second only to Napa Valley as a wine tourism destination.

**Fields of bluebonnets surrounding Ron Yates Winery.**

It’s no wonder that wine lovers are now heading to Texas Hill Country. Last Spring, I flew into Austin and my daughter Jolie, a then-senior at UT Austin, picked me up from the airport and we took off for a fun weekend exploring the wines and food of Texas.

It was the end of March — bluebonnet season — and gorgeous blue and white flowers were in full bloom, greeting us at every turn of the road and making our excursion that much more delightful.

FIRST STOP: WINERIES IN DRIFTWOOD

Fall Creek Vineyards. Ed and Susan Auler’s first trip to France in the early 1970s led them to discover the many similarities between the land there and the land in Texas. By 1975 they planted their first grapevines and have played a pioneering role in the start-up of Texas’ modern wine industry. Read more about the fascinating story of Falll Creek at grapecollective.com.

The beautiful property and tasting room is open seven days a week. After tasting, bring your favorite wine to lunch directly across the street at the famous Salt Lick Barbecue restaurant.

Duchman Family Winery. A visit to this estate’s beautiful Italianate villa will take you through a tasting of wines made from Italian grapes like Vermentino, Sangiovese, and Dolcetto. After a thorough sampling, visitors can pick their favorites to enjoy with a picnic lunch on the property. .

HEADING WEST: WINERIES WITHIN 30 MINUTES OF FREDERICKSBURG

Ron Yates Winery. When my daughter and I arrived at the winery’s modern tasting Pavillion, it felt like we had joined a big party. People were spilling out onto the large porch and the mood was upbeat. There was Ron Yates himself, behind the bar, chatting with everyone and pouring wine.

We sat with Ron in a quiet spot and tasted several of his delicious wines, many of them made from Spanish, Italian, and Rhône grape varieties. Don’t miss a visit to this fun winery — open to the public seven days a week.

Calais Winery. Just 5 minutes down the road from Ron Yates is this hidden gem. There's no sign announcing the winery, just a French flag and a small, bunker type, underground building (photo below). Owner Benjamin Calais, originally from Calais, France, leads many of the tastings in an intimate setting with a very cool vibe. Book ahead to taste these exceptional, Bordeaux-inspired wines.

**At the entrance to Calais Winery’s tasting Room.**

**The modern winery at Pedernales Cellars.**

Pedernales Cellars. Another 10 minutes down the road from Calais is Pedernales Cellars, a small, family-owned winery, whose Spanish and Rhone-style wines, including Tempranillo and Viognier, have garnered many awards.

The winery is situated slightly back off of 290 and has expansive views from the patio where you can relax with a glass of your favorite wine.

Note: Pedernales also has a tasting room in the town of Fredericksburg.

4.0 Cellars. The winery was born as a collaboration between three winemakers: Pat Brennan of Brennan Vineyards, Gene Estes of Lost Oak Winery, and Kim McPherson of McPherson Cellars. Visit the expansive tasting room to sample a selection of wines, paired with locally-produced artisan cheeses and chocolates.

For more information on Texas wineries, visit Fredericksburg Wine Road 290.

WHERE TO STAY IN FREDERICKSBURG

Cotton Gin Village. You’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time the moment you enter this “village” that boasts several original 1800’s rustic log cabins, thoughtfully decorated with period antiques. Each morning, a gorgeous basket, full of the most delicious hot, homemade breakfast treats is delivered to your door. What a fantastic way to start the day!

DINING IN FREDERICKSBURG

Cabernet Grill. Located on the Cotton Gin Village property, this award-winning restaurant serves upscale Texas Hill Country cuisine in a casual, comfortable environment. Chef/owner Ross Burtwell locally sources most of his ingredients, including the wines, all of which hail from Texas.

“I see the faces of my neighbors sitting in my dining room,” says Burtwell. “These folks farm the land, raise cattle, make wine and produce jams and jellies that are outstanding. I don’t need to source ingredients from France when I can get great products made right down the road.”

For more dining options in Fredericksburg, visit Eater.com.

SHOPPING IN DOWNTOWN FREDERICKSBURG

Rustlin’ Rob’s. Hundreds of samples: olive oils, dips, chutneys, flavored peanut butters, and a whole room devoted to hot sauce!

**Lots of sampling going on at Rustlin’ Rob’s!**

Vaudeville. A unique retail/dining concept with a beautiful home furnishings boutique, as well as a bistro and supper club, and a market.

Grandma Daisy’s. A cute shop bursting with a little bit of everything, from wallets and luggage to college banners, wine accessories, custom-made jewelry, antiques, and more!

Fischer & Wieser’s Das Peach Haus. This family-owned gourmet specialty food company was founded in 1928. Just four miles from Main Street, Das Peach Haus is the company’s largest retail store, (the other being Fischer & Wieser on Main).

Located on a property with over 1,000 peach trees, the store sells fresh peaches between June and August. Cooking classes, wine tastings, and free samples of all of the different honeys, sauces, and jams are available all year long.

In 2019, for their 50th anniversary, the company launched a ‘Culinary Adventure Wine Collection,’ offering two whites and two reds made in Texas. The wines range from $20 to $25 and are sold exclusively at Das Peach House. Guests can sit outside in Adirondack chairs by the pond, enjoying a fine glass of Texas wine.