Hill Country Wineries

If your idea of a fun summer activity in Texas Hill Country is sipping wine in a modern bar, on a patio overlooking a vineyard or in a Victorian living room with the winemaker, here are three choices all in close enough proximity to visit in a day. Texas tasting and hospitality at it’s best.

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Spicewood Vineyards #15 on the Texas Wine Trail

1419 Burnet CR 409 Spicewood, TX 78669 830-693-5328

Golden Retriever Sam handles the official greeting at this bright airy tasting room. For $2 per person you can sample Spicewood’s fine handcrafted wines and chat with the friendly pourer about the wines or any other Central Texas topic. After your tasting browse the well stocked gift shop with its wine related items before saying goodbye to Sam and heading outdoors to admire the large well-kept vineyard. Even in the brutal August summer heat the grapevines stand tall and healthy under the loving care of owners Edward and Madeleine Manigold.
15% discount on the tasting with your purchase of any of these fine estate bottled wines.
Open Wed-Sat 10A-5P Sun 12N-5P

Texas Hills Vineyard #16 on the Texas Wines Trail

Johnson City, Texas 78633 830-868-2321

Near the boyhood home of our 36th President Lyndon Baines Johnson and on the road to Perdenales Falls State Park this winery is in the midst of Hill Country attractions. The slogan here is “wines to share with friends.” Gary and Kathy Gilstrap have definitely created the setting. The bar area is quiet yet friendly with warm colors creating a feeling of intimacy and relaxation. The official greeter dog raises his head ever so slightly when you enter and twitches his ears as acknowledgement of your presence. The building housing the tasting room (and winery underneath) is termed by the Gilstrap’s as a cave above ground. Their website details this unique environmentally friendly construction. After your tasting as you drive out passing rows of well-cared grapevines it is easy to imagine that Gary and Kathy saw in this part of Texas some of Italyrsquo;s grape growing region and thus create wines with an Italian influence. No charge for tasting.
Open Mon-Sat 10A-5P Sun 12N-5P

McReynolds Winery #12 on the Texas Wines Trail

706 Shovel Mountain Rd. Cypress Mill, TX 830-825-3544

It is easy to miss the turn off to Shovel Mountain Rd. When you do spot the sign and head down the unpaved pebbly road to the winery you still may not be sure you have arrived. Then the two official four legged greeters bound up as your car approaches, the door to a barn type building opens, a young girl enthusiastically waves and the proprietor knows he has guests. The tasting room has the look and feel of a Victorian parlor. Amid antique furnishings the lighting is subdued and the mood hushed. There is no bar, only overstuffed chairs and couches to sink into as the tasting begins. Chances are good that Mr. McReynolds (Mac) will take a break with an ice-cold glass of chardonnay and join the tasting. Tales of how he got interested in winemaking different experiences along the way entertain a group or a single visitor. He admits to being a poor farmer, but loves being a winemaker so he buys his grapes at various Texas vineyards. His wines are hand crafted and only sold at his winery. As your drive out past the vineyard wilting in the Texas sun the dogs are nowhere to be seen. Their official job is greeter only.
Tasting Room Hours Fri-Sat 10A-6P Sun 12N-6P no charge for the tasting.

Spicewood Vineyards to Texas Hills Vineyard 28 miles
Texas Hills Vineyards to McReynolds Winery 19 miles