Executive Chef Carol Hill

My first job in High School was working as a Hostess/Waitress at The River House Tea Room in Gruene, Texas.  That was 13 years ago.  Today The River House Tea room has been recognized as one of the top restaurants in the Nation, and my former boss Executive Chef Carol Hill has been awarded San Antonio Chef of the Year, Texas Chef of the Year, and various other honors.

I can still remember the sandwiches Carol used to make me every afternoon after my shift.  Open faced sandwiches on marble bread from Naglin’s Bakery, with turkey or ham, tomato, cheese and topped off with Oregano.  These sandwiches, along with her signature herb crackers are no longer on the menu, but I can guarantee you that anything you try will be in a word – AMAZING.

Tortilla Soup

One of my favorite foods in the world is Tortilla Soup.  Over the years I  must have tried no less than four dozen varieties at various locations around the country.  I have always maintained that Adobe Cafe in New Braunfels had THE BEST Tortilla Soup I’d ever tasted – that was until I tried Carol’s.  So if, like me you love Tortilla Soup, be sure and try it on your next visit.

Speaking of Southern specialties, I’m not sure what’s in the batter for the Chicken Fried Chicken, but I’m convinced it’s addictive cause I ate ever bite (and the portion size was beyond generous).

So the next time you’re in Gruene Texas – be sure and stop by this hidden gem for what will undoubtedly be one of the best meals of your life. Of course, I already know where you’ll be staying.

Bella Vista Ranch

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.

Driftwood Estates

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.

Mandola Estate Winery

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?

Photo by pareeerica

More than anything – I just wanted to get away.  Run away is more like it.  My personal life was a mess – and getting messier every second.

My goal was to find a way to combine my love of travel and social media into a project that would give me the flexibility to be creative while at the same time providing me with the opportunity to explore the world and continue to grow my business.

I was reading Alice Steinbach’s Without Reservations when the idea for Twilight & Tea first came to me. Without Reservations is the true life story of a woman who took a year off to travel the world and rediscover herself.  That idea spoke to me.

Except I’m not a Travel Writer – in fact if you want to get technical I’m not really a “Writer” at all.  At best you could describe me as an Occasional Blogger and Prolific Tweeter.  But as I started researching Bed & Breakfasts around the world – I noticed that while most of them offered Free Wireless Internet Access to their guests, very few of them (less than 3%) were marketing via Social Networks like Twitter, Facebook, or Flickr.  And then their were the websites themselves – most of the Bed and Breakfast websites I visited were average at best and many were down right terrible.  I realized that my skills in Web Design & Social Media might be my ticket to freedom and travel.  Not to mention a brilliant collection of case studies on how to utilize Social Media in a niche industry.

Why Twilight & Tea?

Because Pillows & Pancakes was already taken…hehe.  But as it turns out Twilight & Tea also lends itself to an awesome tagline – TNT for Your B&B.