Home | Featured Articles | Around Texas | Calendar of Events | Totally Griswald | Tips | Reviews | Contact Us | Links
|
|
| Home | Featured Articles | Around Texas | Calendar of Events | Totally Griswald | Tips | Reviews | Contact Us | Links |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
September 2004 Dark clouds loomed overhead as Tara and I cruised through the beautiful scenery of the Texas Hill Country. We were heading west of Austin, out to the small town of Fredericksburg and only one thing was on our minds, wine. Although wine is not the first thing to come to most people’s minds when they think of Texas, the Hill Country actuall Our first stop was the Fredericksburg Winery, located in the heart of Fredericksburg on the corner of West Main and South Orange Streets. Although we walked there (and it is an easy walk from the visitor’s center) it is possible to park right out front. Before you enter, you must arm yourself with a sense of humor and a little bit of thick skin, or else you will be easily angered and upset, because they will pick on you. Once we had the different types of wines explained to us, Cord, our wine pourer, began our free tastings, and his relentless sarcastic remarks. Nevertheless, it is all in fun, so do not take it too seriously. All and all, the wines were magnificent, my favorite was the semi-sweet cabernet sauvignon, however, I would recommend asking the price of a bottle before you buy it. I foolishly chose to buy a bottle of port without asking and was shocked to find out it cost over $40. Our next stop, the Chishol Enjoying the atmosphere and the wine of the Chisholm Trail Winery immensely (Trailblazer was our favorite), Tara and I stayed a bit to long, hanging out on the patio, savoring our picnic lunch and talking with our wine pourer, which cut our time to visit the other three wineries so much that we could only make it to Becker Vineyards before closing time. Unfortunately, Becker Vineyards was on the east side of Fredericksburg, so we raced back through town and barely made it before six o’clock. Sadly, due to the time, we both felt a bit rushed during the tastings (all of which were free) and we probably would have bought a bottle if the cashier had not basically pushed us out the door. Despite the fact that we did not get to visit all of the wineries, Tara and I both felt the day was a huge success. It was a wonderful and relatively cheap way to get out of Austin and enjoy a slice of what the Texas Hill Country has to offer. If You Go From Austin, take 290 West, through Johnson City, all the way to Fredericksburg. Fredericksburg Winery: 247 West Main Street Hours: Mon-Thurs 10am—6pm Fri-Sat 10am—8pm Sun 12pm—6pm Chisholm Trail Winery: 2367 Usener Road Hours: Thurs-Mon 12pm—6pm Becker Vineyards: Jenschke Road, off 290 East Hours: Mon-Thurs 10am—5pm Fri-Sat 10am—6pm Sun 12pm—6pm
|
|
©2004-2006 Live Life Travel. All rights reserved. |
|||
|
y has several wineries scattered throughout and they all join together in what they call the Texas Wine Trail (
m Trail Winery, was about nine miles west of Fredericksburg, down a small, one lane road that winds through ranches and wilderness. Cows were literally grazing in the parking lot. The building itself looks a bit rustic; however it houses a warmth and friendliness that was lacking in the other wineries. Unlike the Fredericksburg Winery, the tastings here were not free. The cost for eight of the nine possible choices was one dollar, the reserve was two dollars. Nevertheless, the cost was well worth it, as you got almost half a glass per taste. Due to this fact, I strongly recommend purchasing $10 worth of tickets and you and a friend can taste all nine wines, as long as you share each taste. If you don’t, then you would be wise to pack a picnic lunch and enjoy eating it on their outdoor patio (which offers live music on certain days of the year) while you sober up a bit.