{"id":6466,"date":"2019-09-27T09:08:57","date_gmt":"2019-09-27T14:08:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thecorkscrewconcierge.com\/?p=6466"},"modified":"2019-09-28T09:35:53","modified_gmt":"2019-09-28T14:35:53","slug":"texas-wine-country-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecorkscrewconcierge.com\/2019\/09\/texas-wine-country-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"The Perfect Texas Wine Country Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I\u2019ve been visiting the Texas Hill Country for almost 20 years now<\/span>1<\/sup><\/a><\/span> and a LOT has changed. Generally speaking, The Texas Hill Country encompasses a big area \u2013 it is Texas after all! But in this case, I\u2019m generally talking about the 30 mile stretch along Highway 290 between Johnson City, TX and Fredericksburg, TX.<\/span>2<\/sup><\/a><\/span> This stretch is in the heart of Texas wine country and is ground-zero for a lot of the tourist-based activities for the industry. Definitely where you want to go for a first visit. I\u2019ve seen the area go from a handful of wineries, some of which pushed sweet, thin, or otherwise unmemorable wine-ish, to what it is today with winemakers who are proud to produce what grows well in Texas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Undoubtedly, an important part of the state\u2019s growth as a legitimate producer has been the shift in focus on growing what showcases the best of Texas\u2019 terroir. Years ago, I didn\u2019t hear many people talking about the soils and micro-climates and the like but today that is just as much a part of the conversation as how good the wines are. Back then, people were pushing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and the like because that\u2019s what they thought consumers wanted. Today, you see farmers and winemakers embracing Rhone, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian varieties because of the similarities in climates. I\u2019ve had Texas Viognier, Roussanne, Tannat, Mourv\u00e8dre, and Tempranillo that I would put toe to toe with wines from any region.<\/span>3<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Stepping back a bit, you should know that Texas is the 5th largest producer of wines in the USA with over 400 wineries. You should know that the Texas Hill Country it is the second most visited wine region in the country<\/span>4<\/sup><\/a><\/span> and tenth most in the world. You should know that wine grapes have been grown here since 1662 when they were first planted by Franciscan priests. You should know that it was a Texan (at least a transplanted one) and a Texas rootstock that saved the European wine industry from the devastation of phylloxera.<\/span>5<\/sup><\/a><\/span> You should know that the Texas Hill Country AVA is the second largest in the country. And while we\u2019re talking AVAs, know that 80% of the state\u2019s grapes are grown in the Texas High Plains AVA – not the Texas Hill Country AVA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So now that you know all that, let\u2019s get down to the important stuff. Where to taste, where to eat, and where to stay in Texas wine country. I got your back!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taste<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

William Chris Vineyards<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve been tasting at William Chris since their humble beginnings<\/span>6<\/sup><\/a><\/span> with my first visit back in 2009 I believe (long before I had this blog or even knew what one was). Back then, their tasting room consisted of a charming, restored 1905 farmhouse that could accommodate a handful of folks in the various rooms. Fast forward to today where they have just unveiled a 5,500 square foot tasting room and welcome center that provides great views of the vineyards and the rolling hills beyond. This is an amazing feat for the Hill Country to be sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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