5 Ways to Celebrate ‘Texas Wine Month’ This October

Autumn in the Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful times of the year. It’s also a time when we celebrate our European heritage with festivals like Oktoberfest and Wurstfest. Pitchers of beer, arm in arm with friends and family swaying to and fro to classic German drinking songs, or strutting your stuff on the dance floor to “the Chicken Dance” is an annual tradition for most Hill Country residents in the fall. But not only is it the perfect time to celebrate the beloved hop, but this October is also Texas Wine Month.

Wineries, vineyards, and Hill Country towns throughout the area throw open their doors to celebrate the recent harvest and just to throw a good party. Many new releases occur during this time of year, too. So, what kind of party can you expect? From big to small, we’re recommending them all. Take a peek below and plan your trip now!

2016 Texas Wine Month Trail

Photo: Facebook/BendingBranch

Maybe the best way to celebrate Texas Wine Month is to participate in the Texas Wine Trail. Over 51 of the Texas Hill Country’s best wineries and vineyards participate in the event. Purchase a ticket at texaswinetrail.com and enjoy complimentary tastings at all participating wineries plus a 15% discount on 3-bottle purchases at each winery. Your wine passport is good for the entire month so get your tickets now. Tickets are $40 for individuals and $70 per couple.

Gruene Music and Wine Festival

Photo: Facebook/gruenemusichandwinefestival

The town of Gruene is eager to invite you to Gruene Music and Wine Festival. The town first banded together for the festival in 1987 to celebrate Americana music and Texas, German, and New World wines and to raise money for the United Way of Comal County. The event has grown each year expanding into a four-day party.

Saturday’s event, Texas Tastings & Tunes, includes 40 wineries and food producers and will also feature the “Le Cordon Gruene,” mini food truck park. Sunday’s event includes a Brew-n- Que with specialty beer tasting and barbecue, additional music, and big screen TVs that will broadcast football games all day. You can wander both days through a craft market as well. Admission is free. Gruene Music and Wine Festival, October 8-11, 2016; 1601 Hunter Road, New Braunfels

Texas Wine + Bites Tasting

Photo: Flickr/Brandon.N

Join fellow Texas wine lovers and foodies at dine restaurant and bar in Austin for a wine pairing and hors d’oeuvres event on October 13. This complimentary tasting will include wines from Bending Branch, Brennan Vineyards, Spicewood Vineyards,  Pedernales Cellars, and Duchman Family Winery. Chefs David Garrido and Justin Mowery will be whipping up some Texas culinary treats for you to munch on while you sip fine wine. Click here to register for the free event. dine Radisson Austin, 111 E Cesar Chavez Street, Austin

Fredericksburg Wine and Food Fest

Photo: fbgfoodandwinefest.com

Not to be outdone by Hill Country neighbor Gruene, Fredericksburg will hold its own Food and Wine Fest on October 22. The party gets underway at noon at Fredericksburg Marktplatz and includes wine, food, beer, music, specialty booths, and fun for the whole family. Tickets are $25 for adults.

Make a long weekend out of the event by purchasing the special 2nd Annual 25th Anniversary package which includes the following:

• Thursday GO TEXAN! Wine Dinner at Messina Hof – Thursday, October 20
• Friday Celebration at Wildseed Farms – Friday, October 21
• Saturday Patron Party – Saturday, October 22
• Fest general admission – Saturday, October 22
• Cooking School – Saturday, October 22

Many of these events like the GO TEXAN! event at Messina Hof and the Saturday Patron Party may also be purchased separately. All proceeds benefit the Market Square Improvement Project.

Otto’s Oktoberfest Wine Dinner

Photo: Facebook/LostDrawCellars

For an intimate evening, make reservations now at Hoffman Haus in Fredericksburg where the culinary team from Otto’s will prepare a specialty meal of gourmet German fare celebrating the season. Complimenting the meal will be wine from Lost Draw Cellars. Andy Timmons of Lost Draw Cellars is a fourth generation Texas farmer and is known for playing a major part in the growth of the wine region of Texas as well as its largest grape farmer, managing over 500 acres of vineyards.

Lost Draw Cellars follows a philosophy that quality wine should be shared with good friends in an inviting atmosphere. This special dinner at Hoffman Haus will surely fit the bill. Dinner is $125 per person and includes dinner, wine pairings, and tax. Call for reservations. Hoffman Haus, 601 East San Antonio Street, Fredericksburg. For more information please contact Evelyn at 830.998.0190 or by email at [email protected]

The Texas Hill Country is blessed to have five million visitors a year supporting our blossoming wine industry. Get on out and give your support to the great grape, too, by sipping some of Texas’s finest during Texas wine month.