Fredericksburg in Texas has slowly been making a name for itself as a wine-producing area, and there are now several interesting and unique wineries there that are well worth a visit.
If you’re planning to travel to Fredericksburg and are hoping to sample some of the local produce, here are our picks for best wineries in Fredericksburg to make sure you don’t miss out.
Best Wineries in Fredericksburg
1. Pontotoc Vineyard Weingarten
Located on the site formerly occupied by a 19th-century community that once had aspirations of growing into a large town but that faltered through misfortune, Pontotoc Vineyard is a place that’s full of history.
A family-owned and run operation, the winery focuses on the tempranillo varietal due to its suitability to the local growing conditions – although other varietals are also used for some Pontotoc wines.
However, while tempranillo grapes are most closely associated with Spain, the winery and vineyard also have a distinct Austrian influence thanks to the time owner Carl Money spent studying abroad in Vienna’s wine district.
The winery boasts a welcoming Weingarten where they sell wines by the glass or the bottle. You can also opt for a wine flight, which includes a selection of four, allowing you to sample and compare different wines. They also offer picnic baskets of food to accompany your wine.
Reservations are not required for small groups, but for groups of ten or more, you should phone ahead.
Address: 320 W Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Telephone: 512-658-0023
Email: [email protected]
Website: pontotocvineyard.com
2. William Chris Vineyards
With a winemaking philosophy that believes great wines are grown in the vineyard and not made in the winery, William Chris Vineyards produces its wines through minimal interference with the natural process.
After being nurtured to the perfect state of ripeness, the grapes are carefully harvested, pressed and then fermented using the pre-industrial open-air method as much as possible.
They are then transferred to high-quality French, American, and Eastern European oak barrels for aging, creating wines that continue to develop for years, truly showcasing some of the very best of Texan winemaking.
If you want to sample their wines at the winery, you can book one of the winery’s tasting experiences. These include the Winemaker’s Tasting, the Vineyard Table Experience, Stories Under the Oak Grove or the Picnic Lunch.
Other exclusive options also exist that are open to wine club members only.
Whichever option you choose, you can expect a friendly welcome, attentive service, knowledgeable staff, exquisite surroundings – and of course, the chance to taste some exceptional Texan wine!
Address: 10352 US-290, Hye, TX 78635
Telephone: 830-998-7654
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.williamchriswines.com
3. Vintners Hideaway
Vintners Hideaway is the winery and tasting room associated with Rustic Spur Vineyards and John Rivenburgh Wines, but it’s also a place where you can sample and learn about many other wines from Texas.
All of the wines they serve go through a rigorous selection process, ensuring that visitors are given a taste of some of the best wines produced in the region.
Visiting the winery will give you the chance to sample six carefully curated wines during an interesting and highly informative tasting session.
The winery strives to provide an intimate and unhurried experience that allows you to appreciate and enjoy the wines in a relaxed atmosphere without any of the pressure that can be a feature of some other venues.
If you like the wines, you can also join the wine club, giving you access to some exceptional and unusual small-batch wines that would otherwise be hard to find.
This winery is available for hosting private events. Full details can be found on the website.
Address: 207 S Llano St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Telephone: 830-992-3370
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.vintnershideaway.com
4. Lost Draw Cellars
Also part of the William Chris Wine Company that owns William Chris Vineyards, Lost Draw Cellars has been producing wine since 2012, with the tasting room opening soon after in 2014.
They make wine using only Texas-grown grapes and offer a range of tasting options to allow you to sample some of the great wines the state is capable of producing.
These include the Select Tasting and the Reserve Tasting as well as a tasting accompanied by carefully chosen and prepared food that pairs perfectly with what’s in your glass.
The staff are highly knowledgeable too, so they can answer any questions you have about the wines you’re tasting or offer advice on which bottles to buy.
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, they also put on live music shows out on the patio along with other fun events, so if you prefer a livelier lively atmosphere, that’s a great time to visit.
Reservations are highly recommended if you want to avoid disappointment.
Address: 113 E Park St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Telephone: 830-992-3251
Email: [email protected]
Website: lostdrawcellars.com
5. Elk Store Winery & Distillery
The Elk Store Winery and Distillery is a little different from many other wineries since they focus on producing spirits rather than wine.
The store continues the tradition started by the current owners’ great-grandfather when he emigrated to America from Moravia as a 14-year-old boy, eventually going on to open his own store and prosper through hard work.
If you visit, you will have the chance to sample their house-made moonshine, whisky and gin. However, for wine aficionados, there’s plenty to interest you there too.
Although they don’t produce their own wines, they offer a selection of carefully chosen wines, both from Texas and around the world, which can be sampled with a tasting package.
This means for those interested in tasting local spirits and expertly mixed cocktails – as well as a good selection of wines – this is a place that’s worth looking up.
Address: 327 E Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Telephone: 830-997-2665
Email: Contact via the website
Website: www.elkstore1895.com
6. Becker Vineyards
Becker Vineyards grew from a modest project to create a winery with an output of perhaps 1,500 cases per year to what it is today – a state-of-the-art facility with 74 fermentation tanks, 4,500 barrels and a total yearly output of 100,000 cases, all surrounded by 56 acres of vines.
Set on particularly picturesque grounds that contain old German-style heritage buildings, the winery is open to visitors who hope to sample some of the excellent wine that is made there.
In the colder months, there’s a cozy indoor tasting room with a crackling fire while during the warmer part of the year, you can enjoy your wine outside on the sheltered veranda.
There are several tasting options, including a general tasting (to which can be added a charcuterie board), a group tasting, a private tour and tasting and the exclusive Reserve Library Tasting to sample the very best of the winery’s produce.
The winery also organizes various events throughout the year – full details can be found on the website.
Address: 307 US-87, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Telephone: 830-644-2681
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.beckervineyards.com
7. Andreucci WineRoom Fredericksburg
The Andreucci WineRoom is the culmination of seven generations of winemaking expertise stretching back over two centuries and reaching all the way across the Atlantic to Tuscany in Italy where the wines you can taste at the winery are produced.
Andreucci also has a tasting room in Tuscany, but if you want to savor some wines from one of Italy’s most famous winemaking regions while on a wine tour of Texas, this is a place that’s worth adding to your itinerary.
While there, you’ll be able to learn all about traditional winemaking techniques in Italy and get to taste several different types. The winery also serves food like charcuterie with the wine to further enhance the experience.
This might not be the best place to visit if you are intent on sampling wines from Texas – but for an introduction to some fantastic wines from overseas, this winery is highly recommended.
Address: 401 E Main St #1c, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Telephone: 830-307-9529
Email: Contact via the website
Website: www.vinoandreucci.com
8. Grape Creek on Main – Tasting Room
Grape Creek Vineyards is headed up by Jason Englert, an experienced and decorated winemaker who has achieved more 90+ scores and won more medals than any other winemaker in Texas.
Under his guidance, the winery produces 60,000 cases a year in a state-of-the-art facility using a mixture of modern and traditional techniques.
The winemaking philosophy is one of “letting developing wines create their own path to the bottle”, which means interfering as little as possible and letting the quality of the grapes shine through.
To sample the result, you can visit the tasting room on Main Street in Fredericksburg for the Classic Tasting experience, which includes a personalized flight of wines.
Alternatively, at the vineyards on Highway 290, you can join a tour of the facility, which includes tasting the wine, or you can book a private tasting – with further options open to wine club members.
Whether you go to the tasting room on Main Street or visit the vineyards, you can expect to sample some excellent Texas wines in the company of friendly and knowledgeable staff who are available to answer your questions.
The Classic Tasting and the tour and tasting package are both open to walk-ins – although booking ahead is recommended. For a private tasting, a reservation is required.
Address: 223 E Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Telephone: 830-992-3373
Email: Contact via the website
Website: www.grapecreek.com/fredericksburg-on-main
9. Cross Mountain Vineyards
The story of Cross Mountain Vineyards starts in 1847 when a German immigrant began farming a plot of land in Fredericksburg and discovered the remains of a wooden cross on a mountain there, which is the origin of the winery’s name.
However, nowadays, four generations later, his descendants don’t focus on German wines but rather Italian ones, which they carefully curate and import to Texas for visitors to their winery to sample.
Furthermore, they strive to bring not just the wines from Italy to Texas but the whole experience too.
Their staff are highly knowledgeable and will explain everything you need to know about the wines you are tasting – you can choose one of the pre-selected flights or you can just order by the glass or the bottle.
You can order charcuterie boards or pizza to pair with your wine, and if you like what you’re drinking, there’s a wine club too that will allow you to receive some excellent exclusive wines from Cross Mountain four times a year.
Address: 308 E Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Telephone: 830-333-9931
Email: Contact via the website
Website: www.crossmountainvineyards.com
10. Fiesta Winery Fredericksburg
The Baxter family has owned a ranch in Texas for six generations, but it was current owner Stephen Baxter who first had the idea of planting grapes – and soon after that, the family began producing a small amount of wine.
With time, the business grew from these small beginnings to what it is now, a fully-fledged winery that produces some excellent wines – and that is happy to welcome visitors who want to try it.
There are a couple of places you can do this, including the tasting room on Main Street and at the nearby associated winery.
In any case, wherever you decide to go, you can expect a friendly atmosphere and staff who make you feel like family. And of course, some excellent Texan wine.
Address: 147 E Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Telephone: 830-307-3328
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.fiestawinery.com
11. Fredericksburg Winery
Located on Main Street in Fredericksburg, the winery known simply as Fredericksburg Winery is another convenient one to visit.
Their belief about wine is that all you need to know is what you like and what you don’t, and the rest is just extra. This means they create an informative and unpretentious atmosphere to sample their award-winning wines, even if you’re no connoisseur.
While there, you can also try their other products such as jams, jellies and chocolates, all made from wine, something you won’t find in many other places!
Reservations are not required for groups of fewer than six – but for six and over, you should call ahead to let them know your plans.
Address: 247 W Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Telephone: 830-990-8747
Email: [email protected]
Website: fbgwinery.com
Hard to decide where to go first
So as you can see, although it might not be the most famous wine-producing corner of the US, in Fredericksburg, there are still plenty of wineries that are worth checking out. In fact, perhaps the hardest part will be deciding which one to go to first.
