The wine nation in Texas Hill Nation, located in and across the city of Fredericksburg, is booming. Each time I journey right here I’m greeted by a brand new tasting room, contemporary vineyards, and extra revelers trying to benefit from the state’s quickly rising (and enhancing) wine scene.
A current Saturday took us to a few wineries within the area, every representing a really totally different tasting expertise. Ideas observe, together with prime wine picks from every spot.
Ron Yates Wines
Ron Yates has been in operation for 10 years and in its cavernous new tasting room for two months. This spectacular area (nonetheless within the closing phases of building) is sudden for Texas wine nation and can be proper at residence in Napa. Full with a full kitchen (with pizza oven), Yates serves up hearty bites alongside pours of its many well-regarded wines.
Prime Picks
2024 Ron Yates Spronkling – A sparkler constituted of muscat and sauvignon blanc, that is clear and crisp with a melony edge. The muscat ingredient builds steadily so as to add extra fruity sweetness alongside a gently bready ingredient. $42
2023 Ron Yates Cabernet Franc – Sensible chocolate notes prepared the ground to equally daring cherry and lightweight prune notes on this dense wine. It’s extra approachable that it could sound, due to its mild fadeout of a end, which concludes with a beefy observe of tomato leaf. $50
6676 US-290, Johnson Metropolis, TX 78636
Ab Astris Vineyard
Which means “of the celebrities,” Ab Astris might be probably the most conventional vineyard of this trio, housed in a tiny tasting room with a spacious outside area, that includes reside music throughout our go to. Tastings are introduced one after the other by a server, each bearing a creation story. The vineyard has operated right here since 2018, carved out of what was previously a part of the LBJ household property (and now state park), which stays proper subsequent door.
Prime Picks
2021 Ab Astris Avignon – A Rhone mix with a biting nostril of pepper and smoke, virtually frontier-like in building. A cherry and plum-forward palate brightens every part up, providing pleasant stability. $44
2022 Ab Astris Tempranillo – Blackberry and tobacco notes are basic Texas, although the best way they’re layered right here makes for a much less aggressive wine than this model often presents. An iconic “bbq wine.” $44
320 Klein Rd, Stonewall, TX 78671
William Chris Rebecca Caroline Glowing
The latest vineyard in Texas Hill Nation is Rebecca Caroline, an offshoot of the massively widespread and profitable William Chris Vineyards named after the proprietor’s two daughters, which is situated simply down the road. Rebecca Caroline serves glowing wine completely. If you would like one thing nonetheless, carry on driving to William Chris.
The tasting room is as charming as something on this neck of the woods, a transformed rural submit workplace that has been renovated right into a spot for glowing wine (and which nonetheless homes the P.O. containers for the city of Hye). We visited for Rebecca Caroline’s grand opening weekend, the place 4 glowing choices had been paired with a buffet of fried hen, okra, and inexperienced tomatoes — together with uncooked oysters. Decadent, to make certain, and whilst you received’t be capable of take pleasure in such eating throughout your go to, you’ll have an opportunity to attempt a few of Texas’s most memorable sparklers.
Prime Picks
2023 Rebecca Caroline Boxing Rabbit Cuvee Further Brut – Shiny and bready, this mix consists of 61% sauvignon blanc, which sweetens the expertise up a bit and lets notes of lemon and melon leap straight out at you. $65
2024 Rebecca Caroline Pinot Meunier Lekeman Household Winery Extremely Brut – 100% pinot meunier, not one thing you discover just about anyplace. Shiny peach and apricot prepared the ground right here, chased by purple berries constructing over time. A beautiful journey that ends with a style of brioche. $70
10261 US-290, Hye, TX 78635
The submit Texas Wine Nation Visits 2026 – Ron Yates, Ab Astris, and Rebecca Caroline appeared first on Drinkhacker: The Insider's Information to Good Ingesting.
