Sure, you’ve heard of California Wine Country, but what about Hill Country right outside of Austin, Texas? Yes, it does exist and just happens to be flourishing! The Hill Country is home to several wineries, being just a short drive from Austin. Some that import their grapes from Italy, California and some that grow them right here, in local Texas soil.
We curated a list of our favorite wineries in the area, so grab your favorite wine-loving friends and hit the road — we promise you’ll find plenty of new favorite spots along the way.
Here are the best Hill Country wineries outside of Austin
Driftwood
Driftwood Estate Winery
4001 Elder Hill Road, Driftwood
Located in Driftwood, this winery offers the best views in the area. Open every day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the vieyard embodies the spirit and heart of Texas, producing high quality wines made from 100% Texas grapes. The view from their bluff is spectacular, and the grounds are perfect for relaxing with your favorite glass or bottle of Driftwood Estate wine. In addition to offering wines that utilize their 18 acres of grape vines, there’s a bistro on site. The Bistro does not sell any alcoholic beverages but wines purchased at Driftwood Estate Winery may be brought to The Driftwood Bistro to enjoy with your meal.
Duchman Family Winery
13308 Ranch to Market Road 150, Driftwood
Founded in 2004, the owners of Duchman founded this completely Texas grape winery to bring world-class winemaking to Central Texas. When you visit the winery, you can sample their six Duchman wines before buying a full bottle. After, enjoy a bottle on their patio under one of the giant Oak trees while munching on a charcuterie board.
Fall Creek Vineyards
18059 Farm to Market Road 1826, Driftwood
Making a trip to the famous Salt Lick BBQ? Then head across the street to Fall Creek for a refreshing glass of wine afterwards! After taking a trip to France, the two owners decided to purchase four hundred acres of land in 1975 to start their wine growing. The tasting room is open seven days a week, with five wines to try.
Spicewood
Stone House Vineyard
24350 Haynie Flat Road, Spicewood
Situated on a high bluff overlooking Lake Travis is Stone House, named for its permanence and durability. The winery specializes in wines made in Texas, Australia, and California. Owned by Angela and Howard Moench, the couple takes pride in their winemaking and grape growing. Reservations are required throughout the facility and all guests must be 21 or older. The winery also features winery dinners, holiday picnics, and more on their events calendar.
Spicewood Vineyard
1419 County Road 409, Spicewood
At Spicewood Vineyards, they believe that wine is a celebration of life. They take the cultivation of our grapes, the creation of their incredible Texas wine, and the enjoyment of a shared love of vino, very seriously. Taste award-winning wine at their 32-acre vineyard, that is also pet-friendly! The winery features live music on the first Friday of every month, as well as other events.
El Gaucho Winery
21301 Kathy Lane, Spicewood
Focusing on grapes and wines from Argentina, the winery is high atop a hill in Spicewood overlooking Lake Travis for the best scenic views. Travelers of Mendoza, Argentina, the owners of El Gaucho have a passion for wine and food. Sip on a flight, or enjoy a bottle on their patio, with no reservations required for groups under ten people.
Fredericksburg
Barons Creek Vineyards
5865 East, US-290, Fredericksburg
Sourcing their grapes from Texas, Washington, California, and Spain, Barons Creek specializes in small batches of fine wine. Their tasting room allows for individual tastings or group tastings by reservations. For those that don’t live near Hill Country, Barons Creek has locations in Fredericksburg, Georgetown, and Granbury, Texas.
Becker Vineyards
464 Becker Farms Road, Fredericksburg
One of the larger wineries in Hill Country, Beck Vineyards is a ten thousand square foot facility and the largest purchaser of French and American Oak barrels in the state of Texas. Not only is the wine delicious, but the property is stunning. The site features patios, a tasting room, green spaces for a picnic, and a gorgeous lavender farm!
Pontotoc Vineyard Weingarten
320 West Main Street, Fredericksburg
Located in the heart of downtown Fredericksburg is a quaint, traditional German weingarten. Carl and Frances own and run the bar, chatting with all guests and making sure their glass is always full. The vineyards itself are in the city of Pontotoc, and all the wine comes directly from there. While you won’t find any vineyards or grapes at this weingarten, you will find great company, good cheese boards, and delicious sangria.
Signor Winery
362 Livesay Lane, Fredericksburg
One of the most lovely wineries in Fredericksburg, Signor Winery should not be missed! Signor is owned by a fourth-generation Texas family deeply rooted in a heritage of horticulture, ranching, and farming. That explains the gorgeous scenery – perfect for sipping wine and snapping pics, of course!
Gruene and New Braunfels
Winery on the Gruene
1308 Gruene Road, New Braunfels
Family owned and operated, this boutique style winery is one of the only winery in Historic Gruene. They blend, ferment, age, and bottle all thirty different wines in house. We recommend coming hungry to this winery, as they feature a barbecue restaurant on site with meat by the pound, sandwiches, and sides.
The Grapevine
1612 Hunter Road, New Braunfels
Sit and sip underneath the Oak trees in the shady garden at The Grapevine. The winery features one of the largest selections of Texas wines, plus wines from around the world and craft beer. Open everyday of the week, this winery features live music, special events, and more.
Water 2 Wine
185 South Seguin Avenue, New Braunfels
This New Baunfels winery crafts small batches of wine, which allows them to create tons of different varietals – fifty in fact! This winery also lets you become the winemaker. You get to mix the grape must and pitch the yeast to get the fermentation process started. Their wine-making team will then take over for the remainder of the production of your batch. During this time, Water 2 Wine can help you design custom labels for your 28 bottles in your custom batch of wine.
Johnson City
209 Wine Castle
101 Durango, Johnson City
Sitting on eleven acres on the 290 Wine Trail, is a winery consisting of vineyards with Cab and Syrah varietals. Visitors can partake in a bar top tasting, a private group tasting, or even a dungeon wine and food pairing. The tasting room is indeed a castle that sits atop the hill country with stunning views. Check out their calendar of events for live music and more!
290 Vinery
300 West Main Street, Johnson City
A family owned and operated winery and tasting room in Johnson City, Texas, 290 Vinery opened in October 2016. They are truly passionate about wine and feature over a dozen Texas wines that are all produced in Johnson City! 290 Vinery also offer wines from several select Texas wineries, as well as wines from all over the U.S. and the world. They average about a hundred different brands and varietals, and have at least 15 different wines available for tastings, or by the glass anytime.
Farmhouse Vineyards
402 East Main Street, Johnson City
While the main operations and vineyard of Farmhouse Vineyards are in the pan handle of the state, you can sip on a glass of their wine closer to Austin, in Johnson City. The main vineyards in Brownsfield, Texas have three, giant vineyards consisting of different varietals within each, a whopping seven thousand acres. The tasting room, West Texas Tipsy as they call it, is their 1978 Airstream-turned-tasting trailer. Tipsy now sits on the same lot, under the oaks, and as the perfect space for libations and moments.
