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Just returned from a little R&R trip to Austin. We (my wife and I) decided to spend the first two days in the hill country North of the city. While there we visited several vineyards. WhoDaThunk they grew good grapes and made good juice in Texas.

It seem that several of the vineyards try to emulate the Tuscan style, both with the architecture of the buildings and the grapes grown.

The "Super Texan" blend is very popular among several vineyards and usually consists of Sangiovese, Cab. Sauv, Cab. Franc and maybe some Merlot. It was surprisingly good at Spicewood and Flat Creek Vineyards. Mendola vineyards has a beautiful property with an excellent restaurant, all done again in the Tuscany style. The Mendola wines are a little more pricey at $25 to $30 purchased at the estate. They also grow Chardonnay.

I brought about 2 cases of various wines home with me, all made of estate grown grapes.

If they taste anything like they did in the tasting rooms I will be happy.

Anyone else care to comment on Texas wines? This was my first time trying them.

I posted this on TOB and got zero response.....

EAC

EAC, tell us a little bit more about the vineyards you vineyards you visited.

Do these vineyards have B & B's directly on the property?
Where did you stay?

Austin is on my tour of cities where I teach & my niece may soon be moving there, and so I may be going more frequently.

I'm very interested in hearing more about your experience.
Exactly where were you North of Austin?

I'm pretty familiar with the towns in the area, but I had no idea grapes were growing there! I wonder if anyone here knows about it!

Do you have website addresses for any of these places? It would be nice to take a peek! Thanks!

Isabella,

We stayed at a Springhill Suite in NW Austin, actually in Jollyville. It was right near teh 1 loop (Mo Pac Freeway).

The vineyards that I visited were all within an hour drive. I did not see any B&B's on the vineyard sites.

Here's a few links of places I visited:

http://www.driftwoodvineyards.com/

http://www.flatcreekestate.com/ -- This place is absolutely gorgeous. By far the most scenic drive.

http://www.spicewoodvineyards.com/

http://www.mandolawines.com/ - This property was also gorgeous. There's a restaurant on site with a Tuscan menu. This was by far the most expensive wines.

Since all places are within an hour you could pretty much stay anywhere. If you can afford it try the Driskell hotel:
http://www.driskillhotel.com/

We didn't stay there. Didn't know about it. And the rooms were $250+ per night. But we did walk through the place and soak in some of the elegance.

You might next try some of the wineries to the northwest of San Antonio, near Fredericksburg.

Of particular note, is the Becker Vineyards. There are many, many more. Some good, some just OK. But driving around and visiting them makes it worthwhile to visit even if the wine doesn't hit on all cylinders.

wish I never left wrote:You might next try some of the wineries to the northwest of San Antonio, near Fredericksburg.

Of particular note, is the Becker Vineyards. There are many, many more. Some good, some just OK. But driving around and visiting them makes it worthwhile to visit even if the wine doesn't hit on all cylinders.

I definitely want to make it to Fredericksburg. We didn't do it this time because we drove from New Orleans and wanted to limit our day trip driving once in the Austin area. I was told that Fredericksburg is a 1.5+ hour drive each way from Austin. Next time....