For the wine connoisseur and the novice alike, Fredericksburg wineries offer tours for groups of all sizes and interests. Wine tours are a great way to celebrate any occasion, big or small. There's never a wrong time to treat yourself and your loved ones to a wine tour, and once you get a taste of Texas Hill Country, you'll understand why it's a favorite destination of those with something to celebrate. Continue reading and contact us today to learn about why you should take a wine tour through the heart of Texas.

It's Summer in Texas

Glorious Texas summers are well worth celebrating, but as you may already know (or find out), seasonal temperatures sometimes soar to uncomfortable levels in many parts of the Lone State State. Want to beat the heat? A wine tour through the Texas Hill Country provides an excellent way to cool off. You'll ride in comfort in an air-conditioned vehicle and relax in the cool indoor tasting rooms of a variety of Texas Hill Country wineries. With a cool, relaxing drink by your side, our Fredericksburg wine tours will help you enjoy an escape from the everyday and create memories that will last a lifetime.

For three generations the Perissos Vineyard and Winery family have been farming in some form or fashion. Located in the heart of Texas Hill Country the vineyard is home to quality winemaking and old-fashioned living. The Estate-style vineyard team is well-educated and operates the facility utilizing the most cutting-edge winemaking technology. From barrel aging to hand harvesting the Perissos team is developing custom products from locally grown fruit.

In 2006 they harvested their first crop and their philosophy on developing a premier vintage hasn’t changed. They’re diligent about sprouting their award-winning wines in the field, nurturing them with care throughout the growing season, until it’s time to move to the fermentation process. The attention to detail that is given to the plants and land cultivation is where the magic happens.

Perissos Vineyard and Winery is committed to using only Texas grown fruit. The regional terroir is what provides the unique flavors and distinct varietals which can only be found in Texas Hill Country. In 2009 they won their first award for a white table wine and was the start of many awards to come. After over a decade of dedication to the agricultural development of the land they continue to progress and bring unique wines to market. They have been winning awards for both their white and red varietals for almost a decade. Most recently they took home the Double Gold, Class Champion, Texas Class Champion, Estate Grown 2015 Viognier from the 2017 Houston Rodeo International Wine Competition.

As wineries and winery tours continue to grow in popularity across Texas, visitors are on the look for for new vineyards to explore. No matter where you are in the state, you can find a quality winery to visit, especially in the Hill Country area. Each winery offers its own unique experience and original wine. Whether you prefer to explore wineries on your own schedule, or want to enjoy a professional wine tour, it can be helpful to research the different wineries you want to experience. In our new blog series, we’ll be highlighting some of our favorite spots to visit so that you can plan your next winery excursion with confidence. In this post we’ll focus on Marble Fall’s Flat Creek Estate.

About Flat Creek Estate

Flat Creek Estate offers visitors a unique selection of wine, food, and activities for a true Texas Hill Country experience. The 80-acre vineyard provides guided tours Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you are in the mood for fine dining, you can dine at The Bistro for weekend brunch, lunch, or dinner. A true European dining experience, the Bistro offers wood-fired pizzas, a paired wine menu, and locally sourced cheeses. For the athletically inclined visitor, the vineyard also boasts a championship level disc-golf course that is designed for all levels. Book a round of disc golf before a tour of their tasting room, and enjoy a well deserved glass of wine after a fun 18-holes!

The area surrounding Fredericksburg, in the stunning Texas Hill Country, produces an impressive range of wines to suit every palette. Many wineries in Fredericksburg have scenic grounds that are ideal for picnicking, and what pairs better with wine than cheese? Wine and cheese is a classic coupling that has been enjoyed for hundreds of years. This popular tradition comes down to simple science—the astringent effect of the tannins found in wine is balanced by the fats found in cheese, resulting in a combination that creates a desirable “mouthfeel”. The following tips will help you decide which cheeses to bring along on your Fredericksburg wine tasting getaway.

Consider the body or intensity of the wine

The body and intensity of a wine dictate the feeling and effect it has on your palette. Malbecs and spicy Syrahs need a cheese that can keep up with the richness of these wines. Hard cheeses such as smoked Gouda, aged cheddar, and double Gloucester pair best will full-bodied reds. The citrusy and subtle floral bouquets of Pinot Grigio and sauvignon blanc draw out the sweet flavors of Monterey jack or mozzarella, and these wines won’t overwhelm the nuances of a milder cheese.

Situated in the heart of Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg is a small city with a slew of great wineries. Fredericksburg wine tours are easily the best way to sample the various vintages that the area has to offer. At Heart Of Texas Wine Tours, we deliver the ultimate Texas Hill Country wine-tasting experience. Here are a few of the wineries we visit regularly.

SantaMaria Cellars

Located 10 miles outside of downtown Fredericksburg, SantaMaria Cellars is the brainchild of Argentinian winemaker Martin Santamaria. What this unassuming but inviting winery lacks in expansive facilities it more than makes up for in quality. While SantaMaria Cellars produces everything from red moscato to pinot noir using only locally grown Texas grapes, they're especially famous for their transcendent malbec.

Mendelbaum Cellars

Boasting a wide selection of Israeli and Texas wines of all varieties, Mendelbaum Cellars offers the total package for hard-core oenophiles. Their gorgeous pavilion and well-appointed tasting room exude an elegance that greatly enhances the wine-tasting experience. If you're looking for an eclectic mix of wines to sample, Mendelbaum Cellars is one of the best wineries in the region.

Looking to treat a loved one to a special gift this holiday season? You may be considering a variety of gift options, from that sweater they've been eyeing to the latest and greatest iPhone, but keep in mind giving an experience can be treasured just as much, if not more than material objects. If you're living near the Texas Hill Country, one of the best experiences that you can treat loved ones to is a private wine tour from Heart of Texas Wine Tours. Read on to learn more about this unique gift idea, and contact us today to schedule your tour!

Experience the Texas Hill Country

Although the focus of private wine tours is understandably on the wine, getting to explore the Texas Hill Country is an experience to remember in and of itself. This area is beautiful and one that many long-time Texans have never been to. Quaint small towns dot the countryside to the west of Austin, where picturesque wineries provide a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of city living. This relaxing scenery is a perfect accompaniment to the wine-tasting experience provided by our tour guides.

The Wine

When you go on a Texas Wine Tour, you'll get to taste a wide variety of Texas-made wines, while learning interesting facts about the winemakers and the wineries themselves. Most importantly, you'll get the opportunity to try new wines that you may not have found on your own! You may even find your new favorite wine, and learn more about your wine preferences along the way. Pick up a bottle of your favorite, and open it later to reminisce on the amazing time you had.

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes the selection of vineyards in the heart of our hill country. You might be able to find tours for some of the largest and most popular Texas wineries with a simple search engine query, but if you're planning a trip to Texas, we recommend finding some of those boutique vineyards that are a bit off the beaten path.

To show you what we mean, we've made a list of some of the top Texas wineries you won't want to miss during your visit.

Stonehouse Vineyards

While Stonehouse Vineyards is located in Texas, it’s roots stem from owner Angel Moench’s home country of Australia. Their grapes are sourced from the Barossa Valley wine country, and produce an exceptional medium to full bodied red wine. One of their very first wines, the Claros blend, took home the Gold Medal and Best of Class in the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition. To this day, the vineyard continues to collect national recognition for their quality wine - we’re lucky to have such an exceptional vineyard so close by! Apart from the wine, Stonehouse offers a variety of events including Flamenco nights, seasonal dinners, and more. Bring your own snacks or partake in one of their delicious cheeseboards, and enjoy the Texas wine country while trying award-winning wines.

Whether you're a visitor to Texas or a local that wants to explore the many wineries Texas has to offer, a wine tour is a great way to learn more about the stunning wineries and talented winemakers in our great state. However, with the increase of Texas wineries comes an increase in wine tour companies, and not all are created equal. With many tour companies to choose from, it can be hard to find the right tour to make your wine tasting day a wonderful experience. Luckily, there are several things to look for to make sure you choose the right tour for your needs. Keep reading to learn the things to look for when choosing the right company for your Austin winery adventure.

Read the Reviews

First, you'll want to find a company that has great online reviews. Who else to recommend a company than those who have taken the tour? Reviews can also tell you a bit more about the experience and why the travelers enjoyed it so much (or didn't). You might get insights about the tour leaders that you wouldn’t get from the company website. Reviews are especially helpful if you have never been on a wine country tour before. Check out Yelp or Tripadvisor to see how other's have rated their experience with different tour companies.

At Heart of Texas Wine Tours, we know you have many choices of tour guides and companies offering Texas winery tours, and it can be tricky finding the right kind of tour for your group's needs. However, we truly believe that Heart of Texas Wine Tours offers the best of the best when it comes to winery tours. For people looking for a unique, memorable, and totally unforgettable wine tasting tour in Texas, we think our service is hands-down the best around! Here are the top 3 reasons why there's simply no other choice but Heart of Texas Wine Tours.

1. Custom Tours

We offer group, private, or fully customized tours so that you visit the exact places you want to go. Are you interested in visiting breweries as well as wineries? No problem. Do you want to see a distillery? We can do that. Or, are you interested in a certain type of wine? We can help. We cater our tours to our clients' individual tastes so that they have the best possible Texas wine experience.

2. Knowledgeable Tour Guides

All of our tours are lead by experienced tour guides who know the best smaller wineries around Austin. We're proud to specialize in smaller boutique wineries that may be missed by some of the other tour companies and strive to give visitors an authentic look into the Texas Hill Country. At Heart of Texas Wine tours, our guides have relationships with the winemakers, giving visitors and authentic, intimate experience. You simply won't get that on a tour bus filled with 50+ people!

Group wine tours can be a wonderful way to try new local wines while spending the day relaxing with friends and exploring the beautiful wineries of the Texas Hill Country. However, there are a few mistakes to avoid when setting off on your next tour. Read on to see 3 situations you can easily avoid on your next wine tour, and contact Heart of Texas Wine Tours today to learn more about our custom, group, and private wine tour options.

Wearing the Wrong Clothes

Many wine tours incorporate a tour of the vineyard, so dress in seasonally appropriate clothing, and try to wear comfortable shoes. The sometimes muddy and uneven terrain of vineyards may be hard to navigate in your new high heels! It's also important to dress for Texas weather, especially in the summer. Wear lighter clothing, and consider wearing sunscreen or a hat to protect yourself from the sun. During colder months, dress in layers so that you'll be comfortable from the tour bus, to the vineyards, and in tasting rooms.

Becoming Dehydrated and Hungry

It's important to stay hydrated and fueled between wine tasting and exploring all the vineyards planned for your tour. It can be easy to become dehydrated in between wine tastings, as wine exacerbates the rate of dehydration. Don't risk getting a headache, or feeling light-headed! Pay attention to how much water you drink leading up to the tour, and make sure you pack a water bottle for the road. Your future self will thank you!