Vineyards of the Texas Hill Country
Posted by Mary Sallman on Sun, Jan 15, 2012
Vineyards of the Texas Hill Country
In 1662 Franciscan priests established the first vineyard in Texas. Since then Texas Wineries have grown in both number and reputation. Texas now has approximately 3700 acres of vineyard farmland and eight designated American Viticulture (Grape growing) areas. Since 2000 the number of wineries in Texas has grown from 40 to 220, and wine production has grown over 30% making Texasthe 5th largest wine producing state in the country.
The Hill Country, American Viticulture Area (AVA) #5, with its creeks, rivers and rolling limestone vistas, is home to over 70 of these 220 wineries. Hill Country wineries are winning acclaim as more people discover the pleasures of these Texas wines. In Saveur’s “List of Top Trends for 2012” James Oseland, editor-in-chief, forecasts the growth of non-Californian wines and in his recommendations says:
“Texas Tempranillo from Pedernales Cellars in the Texas Hill Country is one of the most drinkable wines available today.”
Robert Parker, author of the well known Parker’s Wine Buyer’s Guide, added a chapter to the recently released 7th edition devoted solely to wines from states outside of the top 3 wine producers (California, Washington, Oregon) including a listing of “Wineries Worth Discovering in Canada and the other 46 states”. Six Texas wineries made the list with three of them located in Hill Country; Alamosa Wine Cellars, Becker Vineyards, and Sandstone Cellars.
To experience some of these wines yourself check out our guide to the Texas Hill Country Wineries with a corresponding map of winery locations.
To get your Free Guide (addresses and links to websites) and Map with locations corresponding to each winery in the guide click here.
Have you visited any of the local wineries or vineyards? Do you have a favorite local wine? We’d like to hear about your visit...make a comment below.