Tucked In Texas Hill Country Is One Of America's Friendliest Cities With Wineries And German Flair
On any travel or excursion, a common question to ask is: Are you in the mood for beer or wine? In the Texas Hill Country destination of Fredericksburg, you can enjoy both in a friendly Texas setting that feels like a past era. To the west of the city of Austin and the scenic and spectacular lake region sits Fredericksburg, a vacation oasis for Texans and travelers from all over. It's a small city of just under 12,000 residents that doubles as a tribute to Texas' German culture and a fun-filled hub of wineries within minutes of downtown.
What started as a German settlement that reveled in Oktoberfest culture has also evolved into a wine lover's destination that draws comparison to Napa Valley, California, or the charm, wine, and waterfront adventures of the Finger Lakes region in New York State. In Fredericksburg, a corridor along Highway 290 offers access to dozens of different wineries showcasing flavors and varietals for any taste. Add in the friendly community of Texans and local business owners, with a Main Street corridor that feels stuck in time, and you have an annually popular destination for weekend travelers and Hill Country adventurers.
Texas' Wine Country in Fredericksburg was centuries in the making
Even though the Texas Hill Country AVA and Wine Country in Fredericksburg didn't explode until the 1990s, vineyards in Texas date back to the 17th century. North America's first vineyard was actually founded in the Lone Star State in 1662 by Franciscan Priests. European settlements followed in the 1800s with different grapevine cuts, and after prohibition, there were more vineyard openings once it was determined to be a good location for growing grapes. Today, there are over 50 wineries in Fredericksburg, with a mix of makers that grow grapes locally and others that source them from other destinations, including California. The vast array of wineries in Fredericksburg has something for any type of palate, from reds and whites to sparkling wines and frozen drinks. Some vineyards, such as Grape Creek Vineyards, are member-driven, but many are free and open to the public for tastings, dining, and exploring.
The 290 Wine Shuttle is the safest and most efficient way to get a taste of Fredericksburg's best winery experiences. The shuttle begins in the heart of Fredericksburg at the Inn on Barons Creek, just a couple of blocks from Main Street. For a fee of $50, you have access from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to a hop-on, hop-off shuttle that loops to a over a dozen wineries along Highway 290, which runs directly through the city. The shuttle operates with limited access on Fridays and Sundays. It primarily runs on Saturdays for groups, bachelorette parties, and wine enthusiasts looking for an energetic setting. Safari Winery, one of the first stops, boasts a South African motif, and Barons Creek Vineyards is popular for its Italian villa-like setting and central water fountain near the tasting room. Six Shooter Cellars is the final stop, where you can sample meads and its trademark Honeywine to end a day at the vineyards on a sweet note.
German tastes and culture resonate throughout Fredericksburg's Main Street corridor
The European Settlers who first came to Fredericksburg in the 1840s were protected German Immigrants. Once the German population rose, it didn't take long for the area to become a tourism stop for those heading out further west. The prominence of Fredericksburg as a Texas tourism hub still exists today, and German tastes and culture are celebrated throughout the city. Otto's is one of the most popular German restaurants in town, boasting farm-to-table German cuisine in an upscale setting. For a more rustic scene, The Auslander on Main Street offers up tastes from the southeastern German state of Bavaria, including schnitzel, bratwurst, and its house specialty: German meatballs. Cultures Grill and Bar on Main Street also offers German fare and brews while proudly flying flags from Germany, the United States, and Texas' neighbor to the south, Mexico.
Festival culture reaches a fever pitch each fall when Fredericksburg hosts a food and wine festival and a three-day Oktoberfest on the Marktplatz, a historical site and gathering area on Main Street. At Oktoberfest, a marathon of German music and games are paired with food and drink vendors for a convivial atmosphere. Annually, there are dozens of beers on tap, including special appearances from German beer makers like Hoffbrau, Spaten, and Paulaner, who bring seasonal Oktoberfest brews to the festival. If you attend Oktoberfest and need a hearty meal the next morning, Old German Bakery has breakfast favorites like German Pancakes with powdered sugar, and pastries that make for a great to-go treat. With the city also being only a short drive away from Austin and the pink granite mountain known as Enchanted Rock, its easy to see why travelers flock to Fredericksburg.