Why you should visit Waco wineries
This blog post lists the best Waco wineries and wine bars.
Waco is a small city located in the heart of Texas.
It’s famously known as the birthplace of Dr. Pepper soda and the home of Joanna Gaines.
Luckily this central Texas town offers more than soft drinks and HGTV “Fixer Upper” episodes (although we love both of course!)
Waco, Texas has wine.
Waco wineries, Waco restaurants, and Waco wine bars have a welcoming atmosphere that makes them a great place to relax with a glass of wine.
Plus it’s convenient – Waco is less than two hours by car from both Austin and the Dallas Fort-Worth area.
To be honest you shouldn’t center an entire weekend on Waco wineries and wine bars alone. The local wine scene is small. You’ll find more award-winning wines at the best wineries in Fredericksburg, Texas.
But these charming Waco wineries and wine bars would be a great stop on your way to Magnolia Market.
How to access Waco wineries in Waco, Texas
The city of Waco is located in between Austin, Texas and the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The drive from Austin, Texas to downtown Waco will take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
The drive from the Dallas-Fort Worth area to downtown Waco will take about 90 minutes.
If you’re from either metropolitan area then you’re in luck! It’ll be super easy for you to reach Waco.
However, if you’re from out of state, you’ll should plan your trip differently. You’ll need to fly into one of those two cities, rent a car, and drive to Waco.
You could fly into the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), which serves Austin. Or you could fly into the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Then you could rent a car at the airport and drive the short distance to downtown Waco.
Whatever way you slice it you’ll need a car. Texas is a car-dependent state and the Waco area is no exception.
Luckily two of the four businesses on this list are located less than a mile from one another. So you could park your car and walk from one business to the next.
The best Waco wineries and wine shops for a wine tasting
Waco Winery & Vineyards
Waco Winery & Vineyards is the only local winery actually located in Waco, Texas.
This small winery turns Texas-grown grapes to delicious wines. They make Chardonnay, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and port-style dessert wines.
Their indoor tasting room is located within their wine production facilities, so guests will have a great view of their winemaking process.
Guests can also enjoy the covered outdoor patio that has a tranquil view of the picturesque vineyards that crown this 38 acre estate winery.
In addition to traditional wine tastings, Waco Winery offers live music, cooking demonstrations, and art classes. It’s a fun place.
It’s also convenient. Waco Winery is a quick 15 minute drive from downtown Waco. The Waco Winery & Vineyards tasting room is open Saturdays and Sundays from 12-5 PM. Check the Waco Winery Facebook page for upcoming special events.
Wine Shoppe
The Wine Shoppe is a delightful wine bar and wine shop located in Waco, Texas.
The owners import specialty wines from boutique wineries around the world.
They focus on small growers who employ old-school production techniques to make handcrafted wines in a transparent, intentional way.
A variety of wines including rosé wines, white wines, sparkling wines, and red wines fill their shelves.
If you’re the kind of person who picks up a bottle of orange wine made by a family-owned winery in Italy and think “this looks delicious!” then you’ll love the Wine Shoppe.
And if you’re unfamiliar with orange wine, never fear! The Wine Shoppe’s inviting atmosphere makes it the perfect place to try new wines.
In fact, they have an outdoor wine garden complete with tables, chairs, and plenty of shade (key for Texas).
The Wine Shoppe is open Tuesday through Thursday from 12-8 PM. They’re open Friday and Saturday from 12-9 PM. The shop is closed on Sunday.
Check out the Wine Shoppe Instagram to catch a glimpse of their most recent wine selection.
The Grape Wine Bar & Bistro
The Grape Wine Bar & Bistro pairs local food with global wines.
This Waco restaurant is equally good for special occasions or a fun weekend dinner.
You can expect to find gourmet appetizers and entrees such as smoked shrimp toast and slow roasted pork loin.
And of course they stock exceptional wines.
Guests can sit inside at the bar beside floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with wines from around the world.
There’s also an outdoor patio if you prefer to dine al fresco.
Oh and there’s weekly live music. What more could you want?!
The Grape Wine Bar & Bistro is open Monday through Friday. The bar opens at 4 PM and the kitchen opens at 5 PM. They’re closed Saturday and Sunday.
Marie’s Wine Bar
Marie’s Wine Bar is a traditional wine bar located in Waco, Texas.
They serve fine wines, sakes, mocktails, and Champagne.
If you prefer more elaborate drinks try one of their creative cocktails fashioned from infused sake, distilled spirits, or wine.
Marie’s Wine Bar also serves small bites to complement their cocktails and wine.
If you like to enjoy your wine in a beautiful setting, then Marie’s is the place. It’s well suited to both casual weekend drinks and special occasions.
Marie’s Wine Bar is open Tuesday through Thursday from 5-11 PM. On Friday they’re open from 5 PM to midnight. On Saturday they’re open from 2 PM to midnight. The wine bar is closed Sundays and Mondays.
Similar wine regions to explore
If you’re the kind of wine enthusiast who loves to listen to live music with a glass of great wine in hand then you’ve come to the right place.
Texas is full of wonderful wineries! Especially if you know where to look. Luckily we’ve covered Texas wine country getaways both big and small in the following blog posts:
