One way to enjoy wine is to go alone to Texas wine country.
The Texas Hill Country is famous for old oak trees, starry skies, and wine. More often than not, where you find wine tourism, you’ll also find good restaurants. The Texas Hill Country has both. Don’t have a travel partner… don’t worry. Texans are friendly, and unless you’re a total introvert, you’ll soon find yourself conversing with someone. Take it from me – a Texas wine country solo trip is fun and an experience you’ll never forget.
My Texas Wine Country Solo Trip
Traveling solo is a valuable tool for developing your confidence. I often travel alone and love it. I have compiled a list of places to wine and dine, plus things to do so you’ll never even notice you’re alone.
Wine Tasting In Texas Hill Country
It seems there is a new winery opening in the Hill Country almost every day. To help you choose where to go, here are my recommendations.
Carter Creek Winery
Carter Creek is known for many award-winning wines, especially their sparkling wine made in the méthode champenoise. Their winemaker is Jon McPherson, whose father founded Texas winemaking as we know it today. You can drink your wine at the bar or take it outside and flop in one of the cozy chairs on the lawn.
Sandy Road Vineyards
Sandy Road Vineyards opened in 2020 and became a hit almost immediately. First, they make great wines with 100% estate-grown fruit and win many awards. But they also have a fun concept at the vineyards: a tree house. That’s right; you can have a one-on-one winetasting with winemaker Reagan Sivedon in a treehouse overlooking the vineyards. Sandy Road is only open on weekends; you must book in advance.
Be sure to try the estate Pet Nat, a natural wine that is fruity, fizzy, and refreshing. Their tempranillo usually sells out, so if they have it, buy it!
Siboney Cellars, Johnson City
Siboney Cellars has a beautiful new winery and tasting room on a hillside overlooking a grove of heritage oaks and newly planted vineyards. Winemaker Barbara Lecuona is making knockout wines with Rhone varieties. Barbara and her husband, Miguel, have created a haven at the new tasting room just off Highway 290–the views are killer. There’s an elegant private room upstairs for wine club members to relax and host friends.
Siboney is named after a famous Cuban song about lost love. Miguel’s uncle wrote the song, which has won many awards–very romantic.
Appointments are recommended. Each wine has a story behind the label, so a guided tasting is best—The wine to try, is Solo Red Blend.
Here are other places to taste great wines in Texas wine country.
There are forty-five wineries and tasting rooms between Johnson City and Fredericksburg (most of them are on Hwy 290). Here are a few more I always recommend.
- William Chris in Hye
- Becker Vineyards in Fredericksburg
- Calais in Hye
- Ab Astris in Stonewall
- Kuhlman in Stonewall
- The Wine Collective, Fredericksburg
- Pedernales Cellars, Stonewall
Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa
Where To Stay In Texas Hill Country
While the Texas Hill Country is technically more than the cities of Fredericksburg and Johnson City, they are the heart of the wine tourism area, especially along Highway 290. Fredericksburg is known for its bed and breakfast properties. If you prefer a resort-style experience, Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa in Johnson City is the best choice.
Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa Deluxe Villa
Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa
Johnson City
Each villa has a small patio, a living room separate from the bedroom, and a double bathroom. While the room was large enough for two people, I didn’t mind having all that space to myself.
Carter Creek also has a swimming pool and full-service spa. The spa is open by appointment and offers innovative treatments like a far-infrared sauna and deep tissue massage. Facials, waxing, and couples massage are also offered.
Travel Tip: Carter Creek hosts a star watch party every month.
Where To Eat In Texas Wine Country
As the Hill Country has become more popular and more wineries have opened, more restaurants have opened, too. Most dining options are in Fredericksburg, but Johnson City has several good ones.
Bryans On 290, Johnson City
This popular restaurant in Johnson City started with one room and a few tables in a small house. Bryans has almost doubled the space in just a few years. Bryans On 290 is a fine dining restaurant…be prepared to spend some money, but it is excellent.
I don’t mind dining alone when I go on a wine country solo trip. Here, you can sit at the bar, which is usually busy, so if you want to converse with someone, the odds are good. Go hungry because the portions are generous, and everything is beautifully prepared. Try the cast iron seared salmon for something healthy or the prime Angus ribeye with mashed potatoes for a true Texas meal.
Hye Thai, Johnson City
This little gem of a place used to be located in Hye, hence the name. You order and pay outside, then choose your seating inside or outside behind the restaurant. I recommend sitting on the patio in the back under the oak trees if the weather allows. The food is fresh and prepared onsite. I had the Bahn Mi Bowl, which was delicious. You can choose how much heat you want, which is perfect for a non-heat lover. I also had the spring roll wrapped in rice paper with peanut sauce.
Hye Thai is super casual and does a lot of takeaway food. Also, note that they close at 8 p.m.
Old 290 Brewery, Johnson City
I love a resort with a good restaurant onsite. The Old 290 Brewery at Carter Creek serves dinner every night except Tuesday and is open until 8 p.m. during the week and 10 p.m. on the weekend. It specializes in casual food like pizza, flat bread, and chicken fried steak, but there are also salad options.
My wine country solo trip went up a notch when I learned they have live music on the weekends. I love live music, and since I was staying at the resort, it didn’t feel strange to sit by myself and listen to the music.
On the weekends, you can get a full breakfast at Carter Creek Resort and Spa—try a Texas omelet.
Travel Tip: You do not need to be a guest at Carter Creek Resort to enjoy the restaurant, live music, and wine tasting.
Pecan Crusted Crab Cake
Cabernet Grill, Fredericksburg
Cabernet Grill is very popular and known for innovative Texas cuisine, plus the state’s largest selection of Texas wines. The excellent sommelier will take care of the food and wine pairing for you – it is a lovely experience. The menu has a good selection of seafood, beef, and other Texas-centric dishes, such as quail; however, the menu changes regularly. You’ll need to book a reservation well in advance.
There is indoor and outdoor seating… if solo, I recommend sitting outside on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Breakfast And Lunch
In Fredericksburg, try Caliche Coffee for casual, quick breakfast items and craft coffees. Hill and Vine for Sunday Brunch. Emma and Ollie for divine locally made breakfast and lunch served in a charming 1940s bungalow. Avoid the popular German breakfast spots. They are always crowded and, in my opinion, not worth the wait.
You must go to Johnson City Coffee Company for muffins and other pastries, light lunches and snacks, and great coffee in Johnson City.
Lyndon B. Johnson’s Childhood Home
Attractions In Texas Hill Country
When you’re tired of eating and drinking, there are many great parks and historical sites to discover in the Hill Country.
Be sure to visit LBJ State and National Park. If you like to hike, Pedernales State Park is incredible. North of Fredericksburg is Enchanted Rock, the second-largest granite batholith in the United States. Of course, shopping is a bit of a sport on Main Street in Fredericksburg.
The Texas Hill Country is beautiful, so spend some time outside and enjoy the fresh air and vast open space. It’s not something you can find just anywhere.
When you travel in Texas wine country alone, remember you have friends at wineries. Just be sure to strike up a conversation first.
Note: Penny Sadler provides all photos.
If you’re interested in the total eclipse happening next year (April 8, 2024), here are a few eclipse events in Texas you may want to check out. And, if you’re a solo traveler like many of us, check out the best places to go solo in Texas.
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