How to Plan the Ultimate Texas Wine Tour

From throwing an unforgettable bachelorette party with the girls to celebrating a romantic getaway, there’s no better way to mark the occasion than with a tour of Texas Wine Country. Dotted with 100 beautiful wineries and vineyards, the sprawling landscapes of this region provide amazing scenery that will make your event one to remember for many years to come.

Whether you’re a die-hard wine lover or new to the scene, it may take you more than just one day to cover 100 wine tastings. Why not make it a weekend, or even longer? The 290 Wine Trail boasts more than 20 wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms along US Hwy 290. Did you know Texas is the fifth-highest wine-producing state with the fifth-highest number of wineries?

Here is your guide to planning the ultimate Texas wine tour.

There’s really not a bad time to hit the trail, but early spring is an especially great season for exploring this rural region. Not only is the weather nice, the landscape is dotted with bluebonnets and easy to access from all major cities in south-central Texas. Budget about an hour to get here from San Antonio or Austin, or four hours from Houston and Dallas.

Wine tastings form the cornerstone of Texas Wine Country, so considering that you will likely be partaking in a multitude of samples of the region’s best reds and whites, you may want to leave the car at home. Instead, it’s much safer – and more fun! – to use a hop-on, hop-off shuttle like the one offered by 290 Wine Shuttle. As the only wine shuttle service in Fredericksburg, we’ll take you to as many wineries as you like in one day for just $39.99. We also have pick-ups that come along at each winery every 15 minutes.

Whether you’re spending the weekend touring Texas Wine Country or a week, you can get the rest you need in any of the many towns dotting Highway 290. Airbnbs, bed and breakfasts, historic hotels, lodges, you name it. From the rustic nature of Honey Tree Farm to the Palm Springs-vibe of Blue Skies Retro Resort, you won’t be at a loss as to where to stay.

From national hotel chains and locally-owned motels to small inns, guesthouses, and bed and breakfasts, there are many lodging options that can accommodate your group, whether you’re a couple or part of a bachelorette party. Fredericksburg truly has something for everyone, with seemingly endless lodging options, whether you want a huge hotel with a pool or a small, quiet bed and breakfast.

Of course, no visit to Texas Wine Country would be complete without the wineries. With lots to choose from, you can’t go wrong no matter which ones you choose, from The Wine Garage filled with exceptional Texas wines as well as the owners’ iconic collection of classic cars, to the Fat Ass Ranch & Winery offering sweet wines such as strawberry, peach, raspberry, and watermelon flavor profiles. You can see the full route here.

On your shuttle tour of Texas wine country, you’ll visit 20 of the area’s best wineries and distilleries. Some highlights include:

• Six Shooter Cellars: Try a frozen Wine-A-Rita or sample one of their famous Jalapeno Shooters.
• Texas Heritage Vineyard: Voted “Best Tasting Room” 2020, 2021, 2022, and “Best Winery” 2021 and 2022, this vineyard offers their own wines with 100 percent Texas grapes, and have won 59 medals for wines over the last two years.
• Safari Winery: Treat yourself to unique wines from South Africa and Chile.
• Longhorn Cellars: The specialties here are dry white, rosé, and bold red wines, served in a Texas-sized bar filled with cowhide chairs.
• Barons Creek Vineyards: Enjoy world-class wines within a modern tasting room and courtyard.
• Fiesta Winery: Check out their delicious dark chocolate, liquor-filled, sugar-coated chocolates crafted with their own Sweet Dreams wine. This casual, no-pressure winery has something for every taste.

There are lots more wineries you can hit as you tour 290!

Your ultimate Texas wine country tour wouldn’t be complete without some shopping, right? Check out the more than 150 locally-owned stores, art galleries, and boutiques peppered throughout Fredericksburg. From handmade jewelry and women’s fashions to antiques and unique artwork, explore the many shopping opportunities before heading home.

If you’re looking for a fun and unique way to celebrate your next event, whether that’s a wedding, bachelorette party, or romantic getaway, it’s time to book your wine tour of Texas Hill Country wineries with our family-owned shuttle service. We visit 19 wineries and distilleries on Highway 290 in Fredericksburg, Texas, offering convenient hop-on hop-off service every 15 minutes. Book now and get an all-day pass for just $39.99!