So even though I grew up right down the road from Wimberley – I had no idea that the Wimberley Valley is the Sonoma of Texas. This past weekend Bill Appleman (one of the innkeepers here at Creekhaven Inn) and I went on a tour of the various local wineries.
Our first stop was Bella Vista Ranch. This small winery is better known locally for their olive orchards. In fact, when Jack Dougherty first started Bella Vista it was illegal for him to produce wine. So he did the next best thing and started the first commercial olive orchard in Central Texas. The way Jack tells the story, everyone said it couldn’t be done – that conditions in Texas would never allow for the production of a quality Olive Oil. But Jack proved them wrong – and is now known all over the world as “The Olive Guy”.
Bella Vista was modeled after an ancient roman farm. Recently they added Bella Vista Cellars, which produces a variety of Italian inspired wines including a Blackberry Wine produced from fruit on the ranch. Tours of the Olive Orchard & Winery are given Every Saturday at 10AM & 1PM and Sundays at 12PM. Cost of the tour is $10.00 and includes a wine tasting.
Perched atop a hill, this small winery estate offers spectacular views of the valley and some of the best wine in the entire state of Texas. Owned by Gary & Kathy Elliot, Driftwood Estate Winery produces 4500 Cases of Wine from each crop (note there are 12 bottles of wine in each case). If you saw their vineyard you’d understand how phenomenal a number that seems from such a small crop.
Unfortunately, they just recently lost their entire crop due to an unexpected freeze. But sales last year were up 30% over sales in 2008, and this charming winery is looking to expand in 2010. Wine tastings are offered everyday from 10AM to 6PM for $5.00. I highly recommend the Orange Muscat.
This Texas winery offers the closest Sonoma or Napa Valley experience. Opened in 2005, Mandola Estate Winery is run by wine connoisseur’s Drs. Stan and Lisa Duchman. You can watch wine being bottled onsight, or enjoy a gourmet Italian dinner at Trattoria Lisina.
As a side note, one of the women I ate breakfast with this morning had her daughter’s Bridal Dinner at Mandola and said it was one of the most memorable experiences of her life. Still waiting on dessert, and in a rush to get to the church and get ready for the ceremony, her daughter decided to leave the dinner early. When she got up from the table, their entire party started singing – “Going To The Chapel”, and within minutes everyone in the whole restaurants was signing along. She said it was Magical. Oh – and they’re on TWITTER! Follow them here: http://twitter.com/MandolaWinery/
So the next time you’re craving a relaxing weekend in Wine Country – why not check out The Wimberley Valley?
[...] here: Touring the Wine Country in Texas?- Twilight & Tea [...]
I really enjoy the wine from Messina Hof, near Bryan, Texas.
They were voted Best Texas Wine 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 Champion of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (http://www.hlsr.com/)
Messina Hof’s website: http://www.messinahof.com/