Why you should visit the best wineries in Fredericksburg, Texas
This blog post covers the best wineries in Fredericksburg, Texas.
Fredericksburg is a small town in the heart of Texas Hill Country with a big German heritage. And wine. Lots and lots of wine.
Local Texas wineries grow classic grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc to more unusual grapes such as Tannat.
Using glorious Texas grapes, the best wineries in Fredericksburg make everything under the (Texas) sun from bold red blends to refreshing white wines.
Fredericksburg falls within the Texas Hill Country AVA (American Viticultural Area), which spans 9 million acres and is the third largest AVA in the United States. The Texas wine industry has grown so much over the last few decades that Texas is now the fifth-largest wine-producing state in the United States.
This huge area offers dozens of different wineries to try, so we compiled this list of the best Fredericksburg wineries. It’s tough work but someone has to do it.
P.S. If you ever need a break from these luxurious tasting experiences you can explore Fredericksburg’s charming old buildings like the Pioneer Memorial Library and the town square (Marktplatz). History buffs will love the historic Fredericksburg museums too. The Pioneer Museum documents the city’s German heritage, the National Museum of the Pacific War features WWII artifacts, and the Vereins Kirche replicates a 19th-century church built by German immigrants.
How to access the best wineries in Fredericksburg in Texas Hill Country
Texas is a huge state! You definitely need a car in order to visit Fredericksburg in central Texas.
The best way to reach Fredericksburg is to fly into either Austin or San Antonio, Texas. You can then rent a car and drive to Fredericksburg.
The distance between Fredericksburg and San Antonio is about seventy miles. According to Google Maps it’ll take approximately 70 minutes to drive from the San Antonio International Airport (SAT) to the center of Fredericksburg, Texas.
The distance between Fredericksburg and Austin is just under eighty miles. According to Google Maps the fastest route will take approximately 90 minutes to drive from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to the center of Fredericksburg, Texas.
The best wineries in Fredericksburg for a wine tasting
Invention Vineyards
In 2022 Heath Family Brands purchased the Slate Mill Wine Collective and changed its name to Invention Vineyards.
Invention Vineyards is one of the largest vineyards in Texas Hill Country. It’s a full production winery and tasting room located only five minutes from main street in downtown Fredericksburg.
Their brand new tasting room is large, modern, and full of concrete and steel. Guests can enjoy a personalized and guided “Classic Tasting” or a “Tour and Taste” adventure through the tank room, crush pad, and barrel cellar.
Grape Creek Vineyards
Grape Creek Vineyards has three tasting rooms for guests to enjoy. There’s one tasting room on main street in downtown Fredericksburg and another on the square in downtown Georgetown. The third location at their vineyards near Fredericksburg has beautiful scenery, lush vineyards, and Tuscan-inspired tasting rooms.
Most of their award-winning wines are red blends that include grapes like Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Ruby Cabernet.
The sunny outdoor patio is the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine and some good food from their restaurant Stout’s Trattoria, which server typical Italian-American fare such as pizza, salads, and cheese plates.
Grape Creek Vineyards belongs to Heath Family Brands along with Heath Sparkling Wines and Invention Vineyards (formerly known as Slate Mill Wine Collective).
Augusta Vin
Augusta Vin has a gorgeous property with sweeping vineyard views.
The owners planted their 60-acre vineyard in 2017 using twelve different grape varietals. Today Augusta Vin offers a large selection of wines.
Their white wines include Chardonnay, Marsanne, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Red wines include Grenache, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Montepulciano, Mourvedre, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, and Tempranillo. They also offer several estate-grown wines such as Tannat, Petite Sirah, and Malbec. With a selection that large you’re bound to find something to enjoy.
There’s also good food such as charcuterie and cheese boards and desserts. The combination of a large wine selection, lush gardens, beautiful scenery, and ample outdoor seating make this Fredericksburg winery well worth your time.
Signor Vineyards
Signor Vineyards is a popular destination because it’s the ideal balance of sophistication and fun.
It’s one of the most beautiful wineries in the Fredericksburg area thanks to its ivy-covered walls, flower-filled garden, and large oak and olive trees. The 135-acre property also includes 15 acres of grapes, although the bulk of their wine grapes come from Oregon. They make a Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley, plus a Ruby Cabernet Sauvignon and Muscat wine.
Beside the tasting room is Johanna’s Market, which sells tasty sandwiches and non-alcoholic beverages as well as stylish kitchenware and home decor. You could grab a sandwich at Johanna’s Market, order a glass of wine at The Wine Barn, and then relax at the picnic tables beneath the trees. Sounds like a great time, eh?
Heath Sparkling Wines
Not every Fredericksburg winery makes sparkling wine, but Heath only makes one thing: sparkling wine!
Heath Sparkling Wines is the first winery in Texas to focus exclusively on sparkling wine. They apply the traditional méthode champenoise, which is a very traditional (and very labor-intensive) fermentation process. Heath crushes their grapes in Fredericksburg and then ships them off to California for secondary fermentation and finishing.
This winery is definitely geared towards wine club members. According to their website, “all restaurant and patio seating is exclusive to our members.” Members can enjoy three seating areas such as the Heath Sparkling Patio, the Grape Creek Patio, and Stout’s Signature.
Their Fredericksburg tasting room is an airy modern design made of steel and concrete. Health Sparkling Wines is part of Health Family Brands, which also owns Grape Creek Vineyards and Invention Vineyards.
Becker Vineyards
Becker Vineyards has a tasting room on Fredericksburg’s Main Street plus an Estate Winery tasting room.
This special Fredericksburg winery is one of the oldest wineries in Texas Hill Country and one of the largest buyers of Texas grapes.
Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Rhone-style wines are their specialty. Becker Vineyards grows multiple grape varietals on their estate such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Sangiovese, Chardonnay, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre, Merlot, and Malbec.
Guests can host events and group tastings in The Lavender Haus or The Barrel Chai, which hosts private tastings for wine club members. Visitors can also enjoy these award-winning wines alongside a picnic on the vast grassy lawns. Most tastings at the Becker Vineyards estate take place in a German stone barn.
Barons Creek Vineyards
Barons Creek Vineyards has four tasting rooms located in various small towns throughout Texas.
Their Fredericksburg tasting room is large and modern with a central pool and ample outdoor seating arranged. Barons Creek Vineyards takes reservations for groups of up to ten people.
Barons Creek Vineyards sources their grapes from vineyards near Barcelona, Spain as well as three American states: Texas, Washington, and California.
They produce a large variety of wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Tempranillo, Albariño, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, and Petite Sirah. The winemakers give their creations fun names like Crazy Train, Hippo, La Baroness, Opulent, and BOOTS.
Slate Theory Winery
Slate Theory Winery is modern and sleek. Images of skulls and Rorschach tests decorate the winery walls and wine bottle labels. Velvet cushions in colors such as teal and gray lend a moody, luxurious feel.
Slate Theory wines are made with 100% Texas grapes. They give unconventional names to their wines, such as The Neurologist, The Therapist, and Narcoleptic. Grapes such as Grenache, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Petite Sirah, and Tempranillo go into their red wines. They even offer a Pét Nat and a Muscat Canelli. x
Visitors can enjoy their Production Tours, Cave Tastings, and Elevated Paired Tastings. The main modern tasting room does not require reservations.
Hilmy Cellars
If you’re looking for a boutique winery in the heart of Texas wine country, Hilmy Cellars is a great place to visit.
Hilmy Cellars makes a range of wines including red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines from grapes such as Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Marsanne, and Orange Muscat. Over 85% of their grapes come from the Texas High Plains area from a range of growers including their own estate vineyards. Winemaker Michael Barton ferments every wine in their cellar in steel tanks or French and American oak barrels.
Their rustic Fredericksburg tasting room is filled with artwork by local artists and live music on the weekend. Charcuterie boards are available to accompany your wine tasting. Reservations are recommended on Saturdays.
Other wine regions to explore
Similar Texas wine towns to visit
Texas Hill Country is full of surprises – and wine!
Salado is located 50 miles north of Austin in Texas Hill Country. Salado’s Main Street features several fun places to grab a glass of wine. You could easily walk between these five Salado wineries and wine bars located along Main Street.
By the way, Salado is a short 25 minute drive north of Georgetown. You could visit both towns in one weekend. Here are three Georgetown wineries situated on the main square near the historic Williamson County Courthouse. They’re walkable and they’ve got wine. Win, win.
Travel 25 miles west of downtown Austin and you’ll find Dripping Springs, Texas. These Dripping Springs wineries have great wine and good vibes. What’s not to like?
Waco is another Texas town conveniently located near Austin and the Dallas Fort-Worth area. Like Georgetown, Waco has a short but sweet list of wineries and wine bars. There are just enough Waco wineries and wine bars to keep you busy for a short weekend getaway.
If you’re looking for another Texas wine tasting adventure here’s a list of the best wineries in Boerne and Comfort. The towns are quaint and calm, which makes Comfort and Boerne wineries the perfect place to kick back and relax.
Speaking of relaxing getaways, Galveston is great for a short trip. This island town located about 50 miles southeast of Houston is known for its beaches, seafood, and amusement parks. But guess what: Galveston’s wine bars are within easy walking distance of its residential area.
Other states with fun wine destinations
Fredericksburg is arguably the most famous wine growing area in Texas. In Arizona, the most famous wine growing region is situated around Sonoita and Elgin.
Sonoita is a short 15 minute drive from Elgin. The two towns are known for delicious wine and a down-to-earth attitude. Our blog post covers seventeen Elgin and Sonoita wineries so you’ll have plenty of options.
