From Spicewood to San Marcos, there are plenty of places near Austin to make a weekend wine getaway.
Duchman Family Winery, Driftwood
www.duchmanwinery.com | 512-848-1470
The Duchman Family Winery was founded in 2004 by Drs. Lisa and Stan Duchman in a quest to bring world-class winemaking to Central Texas and the Texas Hill Country. Their love of the unique Italian grape varieties as well as similar weather patterns to Texas inspired them to work with viticultural consultant Bobby Cox and growers in the Texas High Planes AVA to produce grapes that would allow their winemakers, Dave Reilly and Mark Penna, to experiment with making wines like Vermentino, Sangiovese, and Dolcetto.
The winery continues to source the majority of its fruit from the Texas High Plains AVA, where cooler temperatures and a more “continental” climate are ideal for the production of fine wine made from Italian grape varieties. As the winery grows, the Duchmans remain committed to their goal to produce food-friendly fine wine in Central Texas using Texas-grown fruit exclusively. With an eye on the future, Duchman Family Winery continues to develop innovative winemaking and grape growing techniques in order to provide wine that truly reflects a taste of Texas for years to come.
Duchman Family Winery remains one of the top wine destinations in Texas. Our facility was listed by HGTV as one of the 20 most picturesque wineries in the country. All of the winery’s current releases can be sampled and purchased at the winery’s tasting room and the estate’s beautiful grounds are open to visitors. Pick a spot at one of the oak shaded picnic tables, or grab a seat in the winery hallway with views of our production facilities and wine barrels.
Flat Creek Estate, Marble Falls
www.flatcreekestate.com | 512-267-6310
Set amidst the beautiful rolling hills of Central Texas is a most pristine piece of land, perfect for growing grapes and making wine. Flat Creek Estate is nestled on this 80 acres, happily proving for a decade that quality Texas grapes produce quality Texas wines.
The development of Flat Creek Estate began in 1998 when Rick and Madelyn Naber, the ever-present owners, purchased the premier Hill Country property. Named for Flat Creek, which runs from just north of the property and ends in Lake Travis, the Estate is surrounded by picturesque beauty. The Nabers immediately fell in love with the ampitheater like valley with gently sloping land and excellent sandy loam soil – the perfect environment for growing grapes. Rick’s expertise and energy set the pace for all involved. His inertia keeps the Flat Creek world spinning whether understanding the quirks of TABC codes or trouble-shooting daily challenges. Madelyn is truly a “Woman Gone Wine. Her commitment and delight in the evolution of Flat Creek Estate shows in her enthusiasm and initiative in many aspects of the business.
Flat Creek’s tasting room, which adjoins the winery since the 2009 opening, is staffed by the Wine Divas. They enjoy providing educational, interactive and fun tasting presentations of the Flat Creek Estate wine portfolio. Enjoy lunch at the Bistro!
Bell Springs Winery, Dripping Springs
www.bellspringswinery.com | 830-483-9463
Situated in the hills of Texas, just 20 minutes from Austin, Bell Springs Winery offers a unique and relaxing wine experience. We strongly believe that wine is a personal preference and we encourage the debate amongst family and friends when visiting our unique winery we call home.
Bell Springs Winery offers a variety of wines from different regions all over the world. Each time you visit, we hope to be sampling something new from our ever expanding list of wines and we are experimenting with small batches of unique tastes every month. Some wines will eventually make it to the tasting room, while others may be tossed in the never ending quest to create great wines!
Catch live music on the weekends. See schedule.
Stone House Vineyard, Spicewood
www.stonehousevineyard.com | 512-264-3630
Stone House Vineyard is situated on a high bluff overlooking Lake Travis, benefiting from the moderating cool breezes from the water. The 7 acres of close-planted Norton vines are grown in semi-drought conditions. The soil is lean and hungry with layers of clay and sandy loam over decomposed limestone. The vines compete vigorously for moisture and nutrients. This competition encourages the vines’ roots to dig deep into the soil where it is moist and cool throughout all seasons.
Standard vineyard management is impossible in the variable Texas Hill Country climate. The unpredictable spring can bring hail, freeze, and copious rains during flowering. Norton has its own program of care according to its position in the vineyard and the end resulting wines. Trellis and canopy structure is the vertical shoot positioning. Working with the natural advantage rather than against it is the driving force in working the vineyard. Every factor is taken into consideration, including the micro-climates within the vineyard aspect and soil type.
