If you only have a day to get away to Texas Wine Country, you understandably want to budget your time accordingly so you can experience as much as possible. From a girls’ day out to a romantic getaway, Texas Wine Country is the perfect place to celebrate. Featuring 100 gorgeous vineyards and sprawling landscapes with amazing scenery, you’re sure to remember this trip — even if just for a day – for many years to come.

Paring down your trip to a day starts with considering the 290 Wine Trail, which narrows the selection down to just 30 wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms along US Hwy 290. Of course, you may not be able to get to all 30 with such limited time, but you can see a good chunk of them if you plan things out well.

So whether you’re interested in hitting all the dog-friendly wineries or spending a day with your bachelor buddies, here’s how you can do it all in one day.

Research the Wineries

First, do your homework on all the wineries along 290 Wine Trail and decide which ones you want to visit. You can’t do them all, so just choose the ones that most appeal to you. When you book our hop-on, hop-off shuttle, it comes along every 15 minutes to take you to the next stop on the list.

Map out which ones you’d like to visit, and try to hit them all. That all starts with research. Each winery brings something unique to the experience. As a few examples:

  • The Wine Garage offers superior Texas wines that you can enjoy while browsing the owners’ impressive collection of classic cars.
  • Fat Ass Ranch & Winery is a laid-back establishment boasting sweet wines such as peach, strawberry, raspberry, and watermelon flavor profiles.
  • Six Shooter Cellars offers their signature frozen wine-a-ritas, served in an old tobacco barn from Tennessee.

Those are just a few. They’re all outlined here. A few helpful hints for your research:

  • Check out their history.
  • View their specialty wines.
  • Learn about any unique features they offer, such as tasting rooms, wine clubs with discounts, live music, etc.
  • Call ahead and ask for additional details to help you prepare.
  • Plan your itinerary accordingly.
  • Don’t take on too much; while you need to keep the momentum going, you don’t want to rush.

Make Reservations

Some wineries need you to make reservations during peak seasons, even when you’re on a wine tour. Call ahead and book tastings, especially if you have a large group. This way, the winery can better prepare for your visit and give you a more personalized experience.

Book a Shuttle

Winery hopping is made easy with our shuttle service. It’s only $49.99 for the day, and we’ll take you to as many wineries as you can handle. With pick-ups at every winery every 15 minutes, there’s no need to worry about who’s going to be the designated driver.

Pace Yourself

All that wine can quickly add up if you take on more than you can handle. Even if you’re getting carted around by our shuttle, you don’t want to tire out before the day is through. Drink responsibly and pace yourself, taking time to savor each wine. There’s no pressure to finish a tasting if you don’t like it. Instead, save room for the wines you love. You can always share a tasting with a friend or use a spit bucket if they have them.

Ask Questions

When at each winery, take the time to interact with staff and ask any questions you may have. Find out about the winemaking process, aging techniques, grape varieties, and pairing suggestions. You may only have a day, but you might as well learn as much as you can.

Take Notes

The day will go by in a blur, so bring a notebook with you to jot down your favorites at each winery. All the names and varieties can get confusing after a while, and taking notes can help you remember later.

Bring Snacks and Stay Hydrated

Bring some light snacks with you, such as crackers or cheese, that can help cleanse your palate between tastings as well as keep you fueled for your day trip. Some wineries sell or offer complementary snacks but this isn’t a guarantee.

Follow Proper Tasting Etiquette

Know what the wine tasting etiquette is so you can make the most of your day trip.

  • Hold the glass by the stem, not the bowl, to prevent warming of the wine.
  • Check out the color, swirl it gently, smell it, and take small sips to really appreciate the flavors.
  • Ask your tour guide if they have any tasting tips.

BOOK WITH 290 WINE SHUTTLE

Whether a simple day trip with the girls or a date with your sweetie, you can have the experience of a lifetime with a day trip to the Texas Wine Country. Our family-owned shuttle service visits several wineries and distilleries on Highway 290 in Fredericksburg, Texas, with convenient hop-on hop-off service every 15 minutes. Book now and get an all-day pass for just $49.99!