Vineyards -Tasting Rooms – Wineries In Johnson City, TX, Oh My!
When it comes to visiting wineries in the Texas Hill Country, you have options—a lot of them! Have you been to the wineries in Johnson City, TX? This small Hill Country town has the small-town feel that you would want in a town with a population of only 1,868 (as of 2023). It’s roughly 47 minutes from Austin, 64 miles from San Antonio, a little under a four-hour drive from the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and about 30 minutes from Fredericksburg on Hwy 290.
Some of my favorite wineries are not in the town known as Texas Wine Country but rather in nearby small towns, such as Johnson City and Hye. And, if you’re traveling Hwy 290, aka Wine Road, there are at least 50 wineries between Johnson City and Fredericksburg. Yes, so many I have lost count.
When you’re going to the Hill Country for wine tastings, don’t overlook Johnson City because if you do, you’ll miss my lovely friends at Westcave Cellars and Farmhouse Vineyard! Johnson City has a lot to offer visitors, including wineries, great restaurants, quaint places to stay, and Pedernales Falls State Park, to name a few.
Why Do I Love Wineries In Johnson City, TX?
I’ve visited the Hill Country many times over the past three or four years, and found some favorite wines at wineries I love, as well as good coffee in JC, which is a plus! My friends often ask me, “Is Johnson City, TX, worth visiting?” My short answer is YES. Here is my long answer.
Not only does Johnson City, Texas, have wonderful wineries, outstanding restaurants, quaint places to stay, the best coffee around, and the Pedernales Falls State Park (which is gorgeous), but I’ve met some of the nicest people in that town. They are family-oriented, pet-friendly, and accommodating. Many will go out of their way to make locals and customers happy. When I retire, Johnson City might be my first choice. That’s how much I love that town! You must read our fun on a girl’s trip to JC.
Vineyards, Tasting Rooms & Wineries in Johnson City, TX
If you’ve heard of the Texas Wine Trail, you know there are a few wineries on that wine trail passport in Johnson City, TX. If you haven’t heard of this popular wine trail in the Texas Hill Country that happens four times a year, read all about it here – Texas Hill Country Wine Trail.
Westcave Cellars Winery & Brewery
Westcave Cellars is located off Hwy 290, halfway between Johnson City and Fredericksburg. The owners are a husband-and-wife team from North Carolina, and they bring their Southern hospitality to Texas. I’m so glad they did!
The winery serves 100% Texas Wines—dry wines only (no sweet wines). They are pet-friendly outside and inside. Don’t feel bad if Margaret talks more to your pet than to you. She loves it when her customers bring in their pets.
Westcave Cellars has an outstanding, award-worthy Cabernet Franc with a pleasing aroma —smooth and savory —and soft tannins at the finish; it pairs well with a pork chop steak. Surprisingly, I loved their Viognier and am a red wine drinker! So much, I bought a bottle.
What to Expect at Westcave Cellars:
- Award-winning 100% Texas wine crafted with a French Influence
- BEER! And if you like beer, they serve 100% Texas beer made with hops grown in the Hill Country
- Walk-ins are welcome for wine tastings
- Live music on “most” Sundays
- Small bites available (order the pulled pork nachos!)
- On-site guest accommodations are conveniently located just steps away from the winery.
- During harvest, they offer grape stomping.
- A participant in the Texas Hill Country Wine Trail
Fun events throughout the year:
- If you’re curious, ask about their Junk Food Flights, which include wine or beer pairings. We did it with wine (of course). That was a fun pairing experience.
- Texas Wine Month Passport – the entire month of October – tickets online at Texas Hill Country Wine Trail.
- A Halloween candy & wine pairing this October.
- Grape stomping during harvest, where you can actually stomp on grapes made for wine!
- Holiday parties
- and more!
Westcave Cellars Food
A must-try: Margaret’s famous North Carolina pulled pork nachos, made with a vinegar rub, were the bomb. It puts our Texas pulled pork to shame!
Westcave Cellars Guest Accommodations
This adorable house is within walking distance of the winery. It has a couple of bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, a living room – everything you need for comfort.
Farmhouse Vineyards Tasting Room
Address: 402 E. Main Street
I’ve been visiting Farmhouse Vineyards for a while now. My favorite wines are their Dry Red Blends. They offer heavy pour tastings and now cheeseboards. Plus, you can enjoy sitting inside on comfortable couches or outside on the porch or lawn. Farmhouse Vineyards is a remarkable place to make memories. They are also part of the THC Wine Trail, which is how I met them.
Tip: They grow their grapes in the Texas High Plains.
Farmhouse Vineyards Serves Food
I’ve had a few of their charcuterie boards, and I think this one is my favorite. The butter, honey, and jam perfectly complemented our wine tasting.
Vagabond Farmhouse on Pecan
The owner of Farmhouse Vineyards has a rental property in Johnson City near their tasting room. Look for the tipsy trailer out front and turn left. It’s on Pecan Street and is called Vagabond Farmhouse.
Vinovium
Address: 214 Edmonds Ave.
Vinovium specializes in wine on tap and wine cocktails.
Alex Anthony Vineyards
Address: 213 North Nugent Ave.
I’m unfamiliar with this winery, but it appears to be nice inside from what I’ve seen online. It’s also family-friendly and offers a variety of food options. I believe it’s located right off Main Street.
Portree Cellars
668 RR 1320
HOURS: Mon 11-5 pm, Fri-Sat 11-6, Thur & Sun 12-5
Untamed Wine Estates
Address: 202 Ranch to Market Rd 1320
I was told they have the best brick-oven pizza around and that there is no other pizza like theirs. I’d say it’s worth visiting if you enjoy pairing pizza with wine.
We passed this winery on our way to Westcave Cellars.
Silver Dollar Winery
Address: 8264 W US Hwy 290
We have been here during one of our Wine Trail Passport excursions. There were four of us, and it was a lot of fun. We enjoyed a couple of different cheese boards and their best wines. They also have tiny cottages for rent. Check out Silver Dollar Winery.
If you’re ever in the Bedford, TX, area, they also have a winery or tasting room there.
Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa
Address: 4064 US-290
Carter Creek offers resort-style accommodations and features a spa, and, according to our writer, Penny Sadler, it also boasts a good wine selection. She wrote an article about them, Siboney Cellars and Sandy Road Vineyards (all in JC), here: My Solo Trip to the Texas Wine Country.
Siboney Cellars
Address: 3427 W US 290
Texas grapes, Texas wines! Their location is four miles west of Johnson City. Open Friday, Saturday & Sunday.
Sandy Road Vineyards
Address: 383 Vineyard Row
Offers award-winning wines. Their grapes are grown right in the vineyard, and they serve great food. Penny also wrote about this winery in her article (see the link above).
Texas Hills Vineyards
Address: 878 Ranch Rd 2766 (Robinson Road)
Texas Hills Vineyards produces all Texas wines. Many are award-winning wines. The winery is located on the same road as Pedernales Falls State Park. That would make a fun day trip – a state park and a winery!
Lewis Wines
Address: 3209 US-290
Lewis Wines is an upscale winery and vineyard offering a variety of wine tasting options.
Educational Wine Tasting and Wine Tour on Saturdays only. The non-member price is $40 a person, and the member price is less.
They also host a Winemasters Tasting on Saturdays, except during harvest time. That price is $75 a person for non-club members.
Seasonal Tastings are $10, and you’re welcome to bring your own snacks.
Lost Draw
Address: 1686 US-290
Lost Draw invites you to come out and sample their authentic Texas wines. There is also another location in Fredericksburg. Signature wine tastings in JC are $25 per person—book online. Leashed pets are welcome outside but not in the main tasting rooms.
12 Fires Winery & Vineyard
12 Twelve Fires Rd
12 FIRES Winery & Vineyard is by appointment only Fri-Sun, 12-6 pm
Elisa Christopher Wines
1851 RR 2721
Pebble Rock Cellars
506 US 281
HOURS: Sat 11-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Tastings by appointment only. Will accept walk-ins if space is available.
Texas Wine Jam
Downtown Johnson City
The Texas Wine Jam takes place at the end of October / beginning of November every year.
New wineries are popping up in the Hill Country, so I may not have listed them all; however, I’ll continue to search for new ones.
If you’re aware of any vineyards, tasting rooms, or wineries in Johnson City, TX, please let me know, and I’ll add them to this list.
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