Did you know that Texas is the fifth-largest wine-producing state in the United States?
It’s true!
While you can find wineries throughout The Lone Star State, the wineries in Fredericksburg, TX are some of the most visited in the state.
Fredericksburg and the surrounding Texas Hill Country have quickly become a must-visit destination and a well known wine region.
Featured in the New York Times and on HGTV, people are flocking to the charming little German town of Fredericksburg, TX.
Hence the reason we also included Fredericksburg on our couples bucket list.
While we are enjoying Texas wine from the fabulous wineries in Fredericksburg, TX, keep in mind that there many other things to do in Fredericksburg as well.
From a historic main street lined with shops and restaurants to great outdoor recreation, it is easy to see why Fredericksburg is also one of the most romantic getaways in Texas.
Fredericksburg is located about 1.5 hours west of Austin and about an hour north of San Antonio, Wine Road 290 (the heart of the Texas wine region) stretches from Johnson City to Fredericksburg and is lined with wineries and tasting rooms.
Highway 290 is where you will find many of the best wineries in Fredericksburg, making it the perfect place to plan a wine country girl’s trip!
With all of these choices, it’s hard to know which of the Fredericksburg, Texas wineries you should visit. Well don’t worry, you’re in luck.
We love Fredericksburg, we love Texas wine (really all wine), and we are from Texas.
All of these things combined mean we visit Fredericksburg often!
All of our visits have allowed us the opportunity to visit the majority of the wineries in Fredericksburg.
From the fun and quirky to the more sophisticated, from sweet Texas peach wine to cabarnet sauvignong, Fredericksburg has wineries that appeal to all sorts of tastes.
In this post, we are excited to cover the following topics:
- Best wineries in Fredericksburg, TX
- Fredericksburg wine tours
- Vineyards in Fredericksburg
- Fredericksburg wine tasting
- Where to Stay in Fredericksburg, TX
- Other Things to do in Fredericksburg, Texas
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Best Wineries in Fredericksburg, TX
The first question that we get asked when we talk to people about Fredericksburg wineries is, “What are the best wineries in Fredericksburg, TX?”
You know, this is a hard question to answer. I feel that people’s taste in wine is so individualized.
Don’t get me wrong, I have my favorite wineries that I visit every time we are in Fredericksburg, but I don’t really know if people would classify them as the best wineries in Fredericksburg, Texas.
Choosing the best wineries in Fredericksburg is so subjective.
What if you like sweet wine and I like dry wine?
I prefer a good cabernet sauvignon but you prefer a sweet Riesling.
That makes a hug differences as to what Fredericksburg wineries we will think in the best.
Therefore, for this post, I decided to give you an overview of some of the Fredericksburg wineries I have visited and talk about a few of their highlights for you.
I hope that this will help you to decide which of these wineries would be best for you.
Keep in mind that the wineries in Fredericksburg are especially great during the holiday season, making this a great place to spend Christmas in Texas!
Becker Winery-Vineyards and Lavender
A little turn off Highway 290 leads you to the beautiful Becker Winery, one of the oldest wineries in the Texas Hill Country and many argue is one of the best wineries in Fredericksburg.
So you know you are getting authentic Texas wine here!
When you arrive at Becker Vineyards, you find yourself surrounded by 56-acres of vineyards and lavender fields.
Sitting amongst this you will find a charming German-style stone building that houses the tasting room and store.
Now don’t get me wrong, there are lots of wineries in Fredericksburg, TX that have a beautiful setting, there is just something about the charm of Becker that I love.
In addition to the vineyard and lavender, the estate also houses an underground wine cellar, a reception hall, and an old homestead log cabin, making Becker Vineyards and Winery one of the best wineries in Fredericksburg for a great environment.
Upon entering the tasting room, you are immediately greeted with the smell of lavender and the smile of a friendly face.
Make your way to the bar and have a tasting. Becker Vineyards offers a variety of wines to choose from ranging from sweet to dry, including several award-winning wines.
After completing your tasting, pick your favorite and then head outside to Becker’s huge outdoor patio area that overlooks their lavender and wildflower fields!
On weekends you will find live music and a food truck to enhance your experience.
If you are so inclined, you can also enjoy a complimentary winery tour that is offered hourly every weekend starting at 11:30 am and ending at 4:30 pm.
The tour at Becker Winery allows you to get an up-close look at the barrel room, the underground cellar, and more.
That means you can learn all about Texas Hill Country wine.
Heath Sparkling Wines-Delicious Bubbly
A visit to Heath Sparkling Wines is such a treat! I mean, who doesn’t love a bottle of bubbly? I know I sure do!
Heath Sparkling Wines are only available for purchase by Heath Sparkling and Grape Creek club members, so you might want to look into a membership once you taste their delicious Hill Country wine!
Heath Wines are perfectly balanced and a great addition to any special occasion!
This is certainly a different spin on Texas Hill Country wine and a place to put on your list of Fredericksburg wineries to visit.
Hilmy Cellars-Great Atmosphere
Hilmy Cellars is sure to have a wine that pleases every palette.
They offer up a variety of wines including white, red, rose, and sparkling wines.
Hilmy Cellars offers up a welcoming atmosphere with knowledgeable and kind employees.
Every experience here has been a positive one.
Pop into their tasting room to try some of their wines and then pick your favorite bottle to take with you.
We recommend the Cabernet Sauvignon, it is delicious!
Another one of the great Fredericksburg wineries.
Grape Creek Winery and Vineyards-Tuscany in Texas
Now I know that comparing Tuscany to Texas is a beat statement but stay with me.
Now you know that I love Italy. I mean, Marty has been there numerous times and see to include it on every trip we take to Europe.
When we first encountered Grape Creek Winery while driving down Wine Road 290, and read their slogan, “Tuscany in Texas”, I too was a skeptic.
That was until I stepped foot on their property.
Grape Creek Vineyards has a large estate, over 100 acres to be exact, and is covered in vineyards, just like Tuscany.
Hop on their wine tour by tram and see for yourself.
During the tour, you will see the lush vineyards, learn the history of the winery and get to see their winemaking process.
At the end of the tour, you get to enjoy one of their incredible wine tastings.
After the tour, be sure and visit Stout’s Trattoria which serves up delicious Italian and American fare to hungry visitors.
We had one of their wood-fired pizzas during one of our visits, and it was incredible. The crust was great and it contained the perfect amount of toppings!
When you combine this with the lovely cypress trees, the tranquil water fountains, and the amazing Texas wine, you can quickly see why Grape Creek Vineyards is one of the best wineries in Fredericksburg, TX to experience a taste of Tuscany in the Texas Hill Country.
William Chris Vineyards-Sustainable Winery
Another great winery in Texas wine country is William Chris Vineyards.
This vineyard in Fredericksburg, Texas focuses on 100% Texas-grown wines.
Their Texas Hill Country wine is made from sustainable practices, making it good for the environment also.
William Chris Vineyards offers several wines for you to taste during your time including Cibola, a great dessert wine.
If sweet wines are not your preference, then this winery is for you as the majority of Texas wines on their menu are not sweet.
Augusta Vin Winery-Fantastic Vineyard Views
If you are looking to immerse yourself in the Texas wine region, then head to Augusta Vin while visiting Fredericksburg.
Upon entering, you immediately notice the unique shaped wine room with it’s balcony seating and fantastic vineyard views.
If you’re visiting on the weekend, then you will also notice the live music they host Friday-Sunday.
Grab a seat and do a wine tasting where you will sample five wines of your choice.
Note that only wine members can do seated tastings on the upper level.
That’s reason enough to become a wine club member in my book! I mean, the panoramic views from there are fabulous!
Once you have decided on the wine you love, head outside to enjoy the incredible patio area at Augusta Vin.
They also offer tours where you get to learn all about their wine making process and you get a seated tasting on the mezzanine.
This is truly an incredible experience.
Allow me to recommend their Estate Petite Sirah.
Fiesta Winery-Great Wine and Fun Wine Labels
Fiesta Winery has two locations in Fredericksburg.
They have a tasting room on Main Street and a small shop with an outdoor courtyard off of Highway 290.
I love visiting Fiesta Winery to taste all of their fun flavors.
Fiesta has both dry and sweet wines, but I have to admit, it is their sweet wines that keep me coming back.
One of my favorite things is to visit Fiesta in the summer and grab a bottle of Happy Trails, a light peach wine, to sip outside while listening to the live music that they offer.
The atmosphere is colorful and inviting and all of their wines have such fun labels.
You just can’t help but feel at home at Fiesta Winery.
Fiesta Winery also offer a great wine club membership, check it out during your visit.
Signor Vineyards
Signor Vineyards is a welcoming, almost “homey” feeling place to visit.
Maybe I feel that way because it reminds me so much of my grandparents farm land, or maybe it’s the charming white house on the property.
I don’t really know. I just know that it has hints of comfort everywhere, and I love that!
It’s probably the fact that Signor Vineyards is family-owned and this is the sixth generation of farmers in the Texas wine region.
Signor Vineyards is happy to allow you to do a wine tasting before you relax in their French country gardens.
Before you get too comfortable, head into Joanna’s Market, a market housed in the original Livesay cottage, and grab some small bites and nibbles to go along with the wine that you just purchased.
This is a fabulous wine experience in the Texas Hill Country.
Fat Ass Ranch-A Texas Hill Country Favorite
The name of this winery immediately lets you know that you are in for a good time. Fat Ass Ranch, located off Highway 290 is a fun, unique Texas wine country experience.
For that reason, we definitely had to include it on our list of best wineries in Fredericksburg, TX.
The owners here will tell you that they just love wine and believe that wine can be used for many purposes, not just drinking.
They are not shy to suggest using your wine for marinades, to deglaze a pan, or to add to some vodka.
Personally, I love their peach wine.
Don’t worry though, if peach wine isn’t your thing, Fat Ass has many other wines to choose from, including both sweet and dry varieties.
We recommend Fat Ass Ranch for a laid-back good time with your wine.
Fat Ass Ranch has two locations in Fredericksburg.
They have a tasting room on Main Street and the vineyard and tasting room on Hwy 290.
I like to visit the vineyard. Here you can enjoy their outdoor area that has games, live music, and often food trucks!
This is a great Texas Hill Country Winery for sure!
Pedernales Cellars-Wonderful Patio Area
Pedernales Cellars is a little jewel in Fredericksburg.
A visit here makes you feel as if you have escaped the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Pedernales Cellars specializes in Spanish and Rhone-style wines.
Although I personally do not care for Tempranillo, I hear they have an amazing one.
My wine of choice at Pedernales Cellars is their delicious rose.
Try several here as they have many award-winning wines.
I love to grab a glass of their Texas wine and head out to their fabulous patio to soak in the view of the Texas Hill Country and vineyard views.
Messina Hof-So Many Great Wine Choices
Messina Hof has a proud heritage in the state of Texas.
They were actually the fourth winery in the state!
We love visiting Messina Hof while in Fredericksburg because we feel like they have something for everyone.
Honestly, I don’t think I have tried a Messina Hof wine that I didn’t enjoy.
Producing over 130,000 gallons per year tells me that other Texas wine drinkers agree with this Texas Hill Country favorite. They also have several award-winning wines.
Come to Messina Hof to enjoy a fun tasting in their big tasting room before grabbing a bottle to enjoy on their outdoor patio.
I love that Messina Hof also offers a small bed and breakfast on the property, The Manor Haus Bed and Breakfast.
These are just a few of the many great wineries in the Texas Hill Country.
As I said, finding the “best” is so subjective. I say just try them all and then figure out your favorites.
Fredericksburg Wine Tours
Taking one of the many Wine Tours in Fredericksburg is always an option if you would like.
Not only do you have a built-in designated driver, but this is also a fun way to meet other fellow wine lovers and spend the day together touring the Texas wine country.
Many companies operate wine tours in Fredericksburg. Some to consider are:
Majesty Wine Tours
Majesty Wine Tours offers Fredericksburg Tours with several different packages to choose from.
Packages vary depending on how many wineries you would like to tour.
Some tours include lunch, brewery, and distilleries as well making this a great Texas Hill Country activity!
Highway 290 Wine Shuttle
Our favorite way to do a wine tour is to hop on the 290 Wine Shuttle and create a tour of our own.
Guests can buy a day pass for around $30 and then hop on and hop off the Highway 290 Wine Shuttle as much as they would like.
The 290 Wine Shuttle runs up and down Highway 290 stopping at all of the major wineries.
You can even leave the items you purchase from the tasting rooms with the driver and they will have them waiting for you at the end of the day.
Now, that’s the way to explore the Texas wine country.
Texas Wine Tours
Texas Wine tours also offer several wine tours to choose from.
They pick you up and drop you off at your lodging as long as it is within the city limits.
Texas Wine Tours also has tours that include lunch, brewery, and distillery tours.
Check out their Texas Hill Country weekday specials for even more savings.
Fredericksburg Vineyards
Now, granted there are plenty of wine tasting rooms on Fredericksburg’s Main Street, but if you are only visiting the wine tasting rooms, then you are missing one of the best parts of Texas wine country, the beautiful vineyards.
The vineyards boast beautiful scenery and should definitely be visited during your time here.
Just imagine, gorgeous vineyards, stretching as far as the eye can see, dripping with gorgeous grapes just waiting to their turn until they become wine. I mean, you have to see that!
Visiting the Fredericksburg, Texas vineyards allows you to enjoy your Texas wines in a beautiful and relaxing setting in the Texas Hill Country.
Some vineyards in Fredericksburg to visit include:
- Becker Winery
- Grape Creek Vineyards
- Pedernales Cellars
- Pontotoc Vineyards
- Texas Heritage Vineyards
Fredericksburg, Texas Wine Tasting
Of course, our favorite way to get to know the wines offered at the different wineries in Fredericksburg, Texas is to do a wine tasting.
Each winery generally offers some form of wine tasting.
Most are structured where you pay a certain price and then choose x number of wines.
You might find that some wineries offer wine flights for their tastings.
These are a little different as the winery has already paired several different wines together and then you pay for the wine tasting.
If you are doing a wine tasting that includes a flight, you will probably find them separated into categories like “dry”, “sweet”, “red”, or “white”.
No matter which tasting you choose, this is a great way to sample several wines to find your favorite wine in Texas wine country!
Be sure to include the award-winning wines from the Fredericksburg wineries also!
A fun way to do wine tastings in Fredericksburg is to join a wine trail.
I love the Hill County Wine Trail. They offer several themed wine trails throughout the year, all right here in the Texas Hill Country.
Participating in one a wine trail is a great way to save some money.
You pay a fee per person for the wine trail and receive a passport book.
The book allows you to visit each of the participating wineries once during the wine trail period and receive a free wine tasting.
Note, there is a limit of four wineries a day while on the wine trail.
Have to keep everyone safe!
The wine trail is a great way to try out some of our Texas wine and decide for yourself the best wineries in Fredericksburg!
Where to Stay in Fredericksburg
You definitely need more than one day in Fredericksburg, Texas so be sure that you have the perfect accommodations set up before you go, as Fredericksburg is a very popular tourist destination.
I mean, you could spend weeks just touring the Fredericksburg wineries!
There are several bed and breakfasts to choose from in Fredericksburg as well as many Airbnbs.
We really enjoy booking an Airbnb during our time here so we can feel like a local.
In addition, staying at an Airbnb usually means that you have a kitchen, which is great!
If you prefer a hotel, then there are several options in Fredericksburg.
Of course, we always check Tripadvisor first to get reviews firsthand from guests.
Here are some of our favorites:
Final Thoughts on Wineries in Fredericksburg, TX
As you can see, there are many fabulous wineries in Fredericksburg, TX for you to enjoy.
Honestly, new Fredericksburg wineries seem to be popping up monthly in this area as the Texas wine scene is experiencing massive growth.
With that in mind, be sure you go back to Fredericksburg as often as you can. I know that we certainly do.
Fredericksburg is one of those places that you can visit time and time again and always have a new experience! I mean I never get tired of wine tasting!
We would love to hear from you.
Do you have a favorite winery in Fredericksburg, TX or the Texas Hill Country? Do you have a favorite Texas wine? Tell us about it below.
While You’re Here Why Not Check Out These Other Texas Posts:
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Sara
Thursday 23rd of April 2020
I'm surprised. I never travelled to the U.S. so far, but I have a lot of places on my list that I wish to visit. Definitely, after this post, I will have to include Fredericksburg. I'm a big fan of wine. Good food always matches with good wine. Also, this wine shuttle seems to be the perfect deal! Thanks for sharing this!
thattexascouple
Friday 24th of April 2020
Thank you so much for reading, Sara. I am so glad we could introduce you to one of the fabulous places in Texas.
Cassie
Wednesday 22nd of April 2020
Well, I certainly didn't know there was a Tuscany of Texas. Awesome. And great list of wineries.
thattexascouple
Wednesday 22nd of April 2020
Thanks so much!
Natalie
Wednesday 22nd of April 2020
I live in Missouri and am ashamed to admit I have never been to Texas! It's honestly not even that far of a drive. I am totally missing out. I love wineries so much and will definitely have to make a stop in Fredericksburg when i finally make it to TX!
thattexascouple
Wednesday 22nd of April 2020
Yes. You have to come down. There are so many fabulous places to visit here.
Isabel
Wednesday 22nd of April 2020
Oh, dear! Your post made me feel like I was already there. Can't wait to visit it. Amazing post and pictures =)
Katie | KatieGoes
Wednesday 22nd of April 2020
And to think I have never been to a winery! I am missing out - I know. Thank you for the inspiration.
thattexascouple
Wednesday 22nd of April 2020
YES! You have to go! They are great!