In case you needed another excuse to visit the Texas Hill Country, there are now even more award-winning Texas wineries to visit!
There are more than 400 wineries in Texas which makes us the 5th largest wine producing state in the nation. The Lone Star State is home to eight American Viticultural Areas ranging from the North-Central Region, to the South-Eastern Region, and the Trans-Pecos Region.
Below you’ll find some of our favorite wineries in Texas that’ll have you raising a glass to these lip-smacking Lonestar wines!
Becker Vineyards – Stonewall, Texas
Surrounded by lavender fields like those found in France, the Becker Vineyards estate produces fine Bordeaux-, Burgundy- and Rhone-style wines that have been served at the White House and the James Beard House. The winery is the largest purchaser of French and American White Oak barrels in the state of Texas. Guided tours are conducted hourly on the weekends and on a limited basis during the week. For the ultimate experience, try Becker’s $35 Art of Food & Wine tasting, which features five wines paired with five small bites and is available Friday through Sunday.
Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Canada Family
Canada Family Vineyard produces some of the most robust varietal Cabernet Sauvignon in Texas. The nose of ripe red fruit, earth, herbal spice, dark coffee and leather comes across as soon as the wine hits the glass, quickly developing the signature deep cacao and upfront red fruit that Cabernet Sauvignon is known to display.
Viognier
Pairing Viognier from three Texas High Plains growers allows the terroir of each individual vineyard to meld, yielding this voluptuous wine. A touch of Roussanne adds an additional layer of complexity and elegance. Using only French oak barrels for aging brings forth a lush, creamy mouthfeel and warm vanilla.
Bending Branch Winery – Comfort, Texas
Situated roughly 50 miles northwest of San Antonio, the 56-acre Bending Branch Winery uses 14 acres of land to grow several Mediterranean varietals, including the flavorful tannat grape (the basis of their award-winning wine). They offer a tasting of five wines for $30. Paid tastings include a souvenir wine glass. The wines will be served in individual carafes for self-service with a single-use menu that will guide you through the wines.
Texas Tannat
Bending Branch Winery’s signature red wine. The gold standard from the Tannat House of Texas. With care and experience, Tannat produces balanced, full-bodied red wines with power, structure, and complexity. The Texas Tannat is bright with flavors of mouthwatering sour cherry, sage, and smoky blackberry.
Tempranillo
The powerhouse red grape of Spain shines in Texas. Find notes of cranberry, mushroom, and cinnamon in the latest vintage of this award-winning Bending Branch favorite.
Messina Hof Winery – Bryant, Texas
Paul Vincent and Merrill Bonarrigo founded Messina Hof in 1977 with the express purpose of merging Old World hospitality, New World ambition, and the potential of Texas grapes. Now helmed by Paul Mitchell and Karen Bonarrigo, Messina Hof has become the most award-winning winery in the Lone Star State and one of the largest producers of 100% Texas wine.
Since planting roots in the one acre of land in Bryan, TX, their vines have spread across Texas as they pursue new opportunities to showcase their love for Texas wine and people. Each of their locations celebrates a different part of our wonderful state, complete with a tasting room and other splendid amenities where you can sample their robust collection of wines.
Moscato
This Sparkling Moscato (Spumante) is delightfully sweet with crisp fruit flavors of orange peel, peach, and nectarine. This aromatic wine has wonderful floral notes on the nose. Fresh and effervescent, this delicate sparkling wine pairs nicely with a diverse selection of foods, particularly creamy sauces, seaside Mediterranean dishes, and game birds.
Gewurztraminer
This Gewürztraminer is a well-balanced medium-bodied wine with delightful aromatics of white roses and ginger. Exciting flavors of lychee, lemon zest and spices make this a great white wine to pair with food.
Pedernales Cellars – Stonewall, TX
Overlooking the Pedernales River valley, Pedernales Cellars offers its patrons a home away from home where they can enjoy a slice of the good life. Pedernales Cellars is dedicated to the creation of world-class wines using ecologically sound practices, with a focus on grape varieties that can be grown with exceptional quality in the Texas Hill Country.
The winery is located in Stonewall, Texas, in the heart of the picturesque Texas Hill Country on the 290 Wine Road, a must-visit destination for wine aficionados.
Pedernales Cellars sources its grapes from vineyards in the Texas Hill Country and Texas High Plains – most importantly from the original estate vineyard started by the Kuhlken family in the 1990s, where the story of turning Texas grapes into praiseworthy wines began.
Viognier
Pedernales Cellars prides themselves on the creation of world-class wines using ecologically sound practices. Their Viognier has aromatic notes of caramel, brown sugar, and vanilla, followed by dried pineapple, roasted lemons, and apricots. On the palate vanilla, roasted pineapple, lemon grass, and toast lead on a long finish with a balanced acidity. Pairs wonderfully with chicken and crisp spring greens.
Cuvee 1853
Carignan grapes offer earth, minerality, and darker fruit notes, that can add a lot of interest and complexity to even a simple blend. In their Cuvee, they’ve blended in Syrah and added a hint of Cab Sauv for body. You’ll find notes of black cherries and blackberries, bramble, spice, coffee, and a stony minerality. Medium bodied with savory earth, leather, cedar notes and a long cocoa finish.
Duchman Family Winery – Driftwood, Texas
The Duchman Family Winery was founded in 2004 by Drs. Lisa and Stan Duchman in a quest to bring world-class winemaking to Central Texas. Working with the top growers in the state, the winery makes 100% Texas wines from carefully selected varieties suited for Texas, including many Italian grapes. Duchman Family Winery remains one of the top wine destinations in Texas. The facility was listed by HGTV as one of the 20 most picturesque wineries in the country. All of the winery’s current releases can be sampled and purchased at the winery’s tasting room and the estate’s beautiful grounds are open to visitors.
Viognier
Their Viognier has a welcome burst of white flowers, lemon, lime and elegant minerality right off the bat. The palate does not disappoint, with notes of stone fruit, mandarin oranges and citrus.
Sangiovese
A light and juicy take on an iconic wine, their Sangiovese hails from Reddy Vineyard in the High Plains. Displaying bright cherry, red apple and cranberry with playful acidity, this wine is perfect for tomato-based pasta sauces and is just at home with roasted poultry or a good old-fashioned burger.
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