Hill Country Wine Tour

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Kate took over designated driver duties one day in February of 2014 during our vacation in Austin. It was a birthday present for me. We did a quick tour of some of the "Hill Country" wines in the Dripping Springs area just a short drive west of Austin. There's quite a few wineries between Austin and Frederiksburg, we visited three which where quite close to Austin. All were a pleasant surprise.

Driftwood Estates Vineyards is on a hillside with a a nice patio and a commanding view of the valley below. Duchman Winery has an attached Italian restaurant and makes fine wine on site for themselves and for others. The Salt Lick Winery has some very fine wines -- I was stunned by their version of a GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre -- the Cote de Rhone blend) which is made from grapes grown locally. While many are growing some grapes in the area lots bring in grapes grown in the Lubbock area.

The Salt Lick BBQ is a huge BBQ restaurant attached to the very small winery tasting room. It serves Texas BBQ in a rustic setting on rough hewn tables which you might share with others when things are really busy. They also serve out on a nice patio under the live oaks. And the "No Soft Drinks" rule means you'll enjoy the wine you purchased at the winery. I'm not sure, but I expect they have beer as well -- heck, it is Texas.

I really enjoyed my beef brisket BBQ at the Salt Lick. A huge serving (Texas sized of course) with a choice of sides. Then a dessert of pecan pie. Mmm... Mmm... ain't that Texas cooking something.

If you're ever in Austin it's well worth the short drive to the wineries around Dripping Springs (town motto: Just West of Weird). There's some good wines to try and do stop into the Salt Lick BBQ and tuck into some Texas cooking.

We'll be back for more next year!

Here's a photo album of our adventures.

[This is a repost from 2014 on Google +]