Texas Hill Country Winery Guide
Forget Napa. Meet the Texas Hill Country. The Texas Hill Country is home to over 50 unique wineries scattered throughout the scenic countryside that gives Hill Country its name. Though you’ll encounter everything from Italian varietals to Rhone-style wines, Texas Hill Country wine tours are about more than wine.
As you sip on the best wines in the region, you’ll also stumble upon rolling hills, small towns, the peaceful Pedernales River, and rustic wineries unlike any you’ve visited before. Whether you embark on a wine tasting tour or self-guide your way down Highway 290, Texas Wine Country will become your go-to wine tasting destination.
Discover eight of our favorite vineyards and wineries around the Lone Star State, then take home varietals from La Cantera's Exclusive Winery Partners and local Fredericksburg boutiques.
Featured Winery - William Chris
What began as an acquaintance as winemakers in the Hill Country became a collaboration between William "Bill" Blackmon & Chris Brundrett; one that's based on a shared winemaking philosophy and a vision for what the Texas wine industry is capable of. Bill & Chris agree that great wines are not made, but grown in the vineyard. They also believe that wine should be inspired by the pleasure that is shared with an extended community of friends and family over a bottle. The creation of each new vintage depends greatly upon these two priorities.
Today, William Chris Vineyards continues to reach for a level of quality that represents the very best of Texas in each new vintage. It is with confidence in their process and pride in their team, community, and the special place they call home, that they inscribe each bottle of William Chris Vineyards wine with this greeting: We are pleased to share a piece of our world.
Featured Winery - Turtle Creek
Dan and Sue began the Turtle Creek Enterprise in March 2016, after traveling to Italy in 2013 and hiking through the fields, vineyards, olive groves and villages of Tuscany...Turtle Creek Olives and Vines and Turtle Creek Vineyard are businesses designed to promote agriculture and tourism in Kerr County, while also built on the principle that with ethical practices and hard work, success follows suit.
Texas Hill Country is the wine country you didn't know you'd been missing. Here, warm Texas hospitality meets world-class wine for diverse yet comforting wine tasting experiences. Wineries in Texas Hill Country win awards around the world. Enjoy wines that have been poured in the White House and many places around the world. Immerse yourself in the legacy that is Texas Wine Country.
Ab Astris Winery
Ab Astris is a family-owned, boutique winery in the lush Hill Country setting of Stonewall. This 12-acre estate primarily grows Tannat, Souzao, Clairette Blanche and Montepulciano.
Rock & Vine Featured Wine: Ab Astris 2016 Montepulciano
Notes: Chocolate and cola on the nose. Black pepper, cherry, and chocolate on the palette.
Recommended Pairing: Anything tomato based, like pizza or pasta.
Special Offer: Free shipping on orders over six bottles, 10% off purchase, 2-for-1 wine tastings.
Adega Vinho Winery
Adega Vinho is one of our newest Texas Hill Country wineries located in picturesque Stonewall. The Bigler family is dedicated to their craft of sustainably producing great Texas wines.
Rock & Vine Featured Wine: Adega Vinho’s 2019 Tempranillo Rosé.
Notes: Medium-bodied wine with tastes of watermelon, strawberries and tangerines.
Recommended Pairing: Spanish tapas, grilled salmon, and paella.
Special Offer: 10% off all wine for La Cantera website viewers. Private tastings for $100/couple.
Cross Mountain Vineyards
This Fredericksburg tasting room specializes in artisanal, small-batch wines crafted in Italy. This family-owned wine distribution team loves finding special gems from the Italian Hill Country and sharing them with our Texas Hill Country.
Rock & Vine Featured Wine: CMV Rosé
Notes: Light-bodied with white roses, red cherry, and raspberry.
Recommended Pairing: Fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, frittatas, and omelets.
Special Offer: 20% off four bottles of wine. Complementary tasting for 4 with purchase.
Saint Tryphon Farm & Vineyards
Saint Tryphon Farm & Vineyards is tucked into the winding hills of Boerne. This boutique and family-owned winery is renowned for protecting wine-growers, gardeners, and birds, as well as using 100% Texas grapes in their varietals.
Rock & Vine Featured Wine: St. Tryphon Muscat Petnat
Style: Dry sparkling wine that is bottle-fermented.
Notes: Wild with lavender, citrus-peel and a generous mouthfeel.
Special Offer: 20% off bottles of Muscat Petnat through August.
Slate Mill Wine Collective
Slate Mill Wine Collective is located in Fredericksburg. Opened in January 2020, Slate Mill currently has over 35 acres planted and support their “collective village” of winemakers with their custom crush facility. They emphasize local Texas brands.
Rock & Vine Featured Wine: 2018 Viognier
Notes: Candied Meyer lemon zest, white peach, and pineapple.
Recommended Pairing: Poultry, grilled seafood, or mildly spicy Thai food.
Special Offer: 20% off using the code "La Cantera," available this season only.
Kalasi Cellars
Kalasi Cellars is one of Hill Country's newest boutique wineries. This unique winery sits right outside of Fredericksburg on a pecan and oak tree-lined country road. At Kalasi, count on relaxing in the country alongside winemakers Greg and Nikhila Davis who are always on-hand to share their wine.
Rock & Vine Featured Wine: 2017 Malbec (Heritage Collection)
Notes: Aromas of violet and clove along with flavors of cherry and cola.
Recommended Pairing: Delicious samosas or with just about any of your favorite tastes.
Texas Heritage Vineyard
Two generational Texans, Billy and Susan Johnson, dreamed up Texas Heritage Vineyard as a way to share their family legacy with the Fredericksburg community. This vineyard began with a small planting in 2015 and now features a Texas music-themed tasting room and a covered patio overlooking the countryside.
Rock & Vine Featured Wine: 2017 Tempranillo
Details: Winemaker’s favorite, Gold medal winner 2020 San Antonio Stock Show
Recommended Pairing: Anything Tex-Mex, BBQ, or on its own
Blackchalk Home + Laundry
Define your home and space without regional borders. Boutique owner Jill Elliott’s design sense is melded with her own travel experiences and personal and décor style inspirations. Blackchalk Home + Laundry is an eclectic, colorful space full of texture and found objects. Rock & Vine magazine loves how they expertly bring the world into your home.
On the shelves: Furniture, lighting, accessories, vintage and new rugs, plus jewelry and gifts.
DISH
Nestled into the side of Woerner Warehouse on Lincoln Street, DISH is inspired by a love of big family gatherings, suppers, cocktails on the porch and sweet picnics in the country. Wandering through this warehouse space, you will be delighted with place settings, tea cups, and warm memories of past gatherings, while being inspired to create new ones in the future.
On the shelves: Home goods, décor, and a handmade denim "bar."
Farm Haus Antiques
Farm Haus Antiques is a favorite for Rock & Vine Magazine to explore. The blend of vintage and modern home goods is evident in the store's immaculate merchandising displays. Farm Haus features authentic antiques with a mix of newer, functional items, styled in a seemingly effortless way. Her antiques hold space for the dramatic, while her vintage-inspired pieces invoke simplicity.
On the shelves: Vintage and modern home goods, unique antiques.
Home Simple Goods + Design
Home Simple Goods + Design simplifies your spaces by fusing function with fun, livable styles. Rock & Vine Magazine loves designer/owner Christina’s no-nonsense approach to modern yet practical designs. Utilizing clean, monochromatic, textured pieces, Christina’s style reflects a Big-Sur-type lifestyle no matter the living location. Shop online or in-store in Fredericksburg.
On the shelves: Rugs, pillows, furniture, art, and more interior design items.
Lōft
Lōft redefines Home & Garden. This sprawling boutique is filled with both antique and new furnishings as well as unique planters and containers. Rock & Vine magazine loves to explore their wonderful selection of one-of-a-kind indoor and outdoor plants and trees. Modern pieces add bold statements mixed alongside rough and worn concrete and wooden objects.
On the shelves: Modern décor, new and antique furnishings, indoor and outdoor plants.
CHB
This 30,000-square-foot store is packed with antiques obtained from around the globe during owner Carol Hicks Bolton's numerous scouting trips throughout Europe and the world. Rock & Vine loves her attention to detail and creative merchandising that she puts forth in her store front. With every object on display, Carol will have a unique vision on how best to bring it into your space.
On the shelves: Vintage and global antiques
Haberdashery
Rock & Vine is proud to showcase this unique boutique as a favorite in our in our Texas Hill County. Haberdashery was conceived out of a love of global style and fashion by owner Jill Elliott. Modernity mixes with vintage soul through craftsmanship, style and design in this popular shop. With a global and fun local sense of fashion, Haberdashery stocks something for everyone.
On the shelves: Curated, high-end clothing for men and women.