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10 Best of Texas Wine Country: Where to Go Now and Why

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Best of Texas Wine Country

The first time I went to Texas Hill Country as a wine destination was about 15 years ago. It was akin to visiting a small farm, and I left without bothering to dream of what it could become.

If this story were made into a romantic comedy, a montage would now begin of Texas wine makers learning the Texas grapes, testing and finding the grape varietals that were going to work best in Texas, and building beautiful tasting rooms and properties. People from all over the world would hear of the Texas Wine Country region, as the number of wineries grew to more than 260. I would return a decade later, and fall in love.

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Try Your Wine Before You Buy at Utopian Shift in Austin

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Wines to sample before purchase at Utopian Shift
Wine bottles and a boxed await at Utopian Shift, waiting to be taste-tested before purchase

Do you ever go on a wine-buying mission and find yourself standing in front of the shelves, frozen with indecision? In these moments, the options are usually to phone a friend, decide based on the appeal of the label, or just turn around, defeated by the despair of indecision. Note: The Austinot does not recommend this last approach.

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Savor the Flavors of Argentina at El Gaucho Winery

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Wine Tasting at El Gaucho Winery in Spicewood TX

Kick back, relax, and savor the flavors of El Gaucho’s Argentinian wines

Head out in any direction from Austin and you’re bound to come across a winery. In Spicewood, you’ll find El Gaucho Winery–a little piece of Argentina tucked away in the rolling hills near Lake Travis. Check it out the next time you’re looking to kick back in the Texas Hill Country, sip on full-bodied Argentinian wines and savor authentic cuisine.
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How to Rosé All Day in Austin

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Rosé at Texas Wine Revolution Festival

Enjoy rosé at the annual Texas Wine Revolution Festival

Rosé has definitely become a thing across the country. Popular hashtags such as #roseallday and #yeswayrose are rampant on social media and come printed on just about everything, from t-shirts and tote bags, to wine glasses and smartphone cases. Fortunately for us, Austin has not escaped the trend.

Whether you want to go out, stay in, or even attend an entire festival dedicated to pink bubbly, here’s an all-encompassing guide so you too can rosé all day in Austin. [Read more…]

Be Transported to Roaring Twenties at Parker Jazz Club in Downtown Austin

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Parker Jazz Club Austin

Build the stage, bring the bands, and your audience will follow (Credit: Parker Jazz Club)

Step back in time to the Roaring Twenties at Parker Jazz Club in downtown Austin. Situated underground like all the coolest clubs, Parker Jazz Club acts as an incubator for the music and the sensibility of another era. Set your sights on a whole new music experience, complemented by classic cocktails and a sultry aura.

Despite Austin’s outspoken love for live music, we are somewhat lacking in world-class, traditional jazz. Parker Jazz Club intends to change that. Jazz music evokes a host of strong feelings for many, calling to mind a different time and place. Walking down the staircase into the dark, elegant club, I felt as though I could be in Chicago, New York, or Paris in the ’20s or ’50s. By design, Parker Jazz Club stands apart from the typical downtown Austin bar. [Read more…]

Roll Out the Barrel: Notable Texas Wineries Worth Visiting

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Texas Wineries Worth Visiting

Wine tasting in the Perissos vineyard
(Credit: Matt McGinnis)

When I sent in my RSVP for the annual Roll Out the Barrel event, I was signing up for three winery visits in one day. Although I wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting into, certified sommelier Matt McGinnis clued me in. Roll Out the Barrel is a Texas take on the time-honored tradition of hosting en primeur tastings of newly available wine for journalists and wine professionals, traditionally held in Bordeaux each spring.

Although far from France, Texas Hill Country is definitely becoming known for wine. Thanks to my intimate, first-hand experience during Rolling Out the Barrel, I now have a better understanding of why. Here’s what I learned from three day-trip-worthy Texas wineries.

Thank you to the vineyards featured in this article for allowing me to attend Roll Out the Barrel at no charge. All opinions are my own. [Read more…]

Indulge in Fine Wine and Local Food at Big Reds & Bubbles

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Big Reds & Bubbles Wine Event in Austin

Enjoy a wine-oriented night at The Driskill Hotel (Credit: Charles Quinn Photography)

Cheers! Austin’s most anticipated and absolutely fabulous wine event, Big Reds & Bubbles, is right around the corner. This annual celebration of red and sparkling wine, put on by Wine and Food Foundation of Texas, goes down on Nov. 17, 2017, at The Driskill Hotel. Local chefs will be making food on site; live music will set the rhythm for the evening; and the wine will be flowing like a river.

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That’s Not All! The Yard Overflows With Cool Hangouts in South Austin

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Spokesman Coffee Drink Menu

Spokesman Coffee serves coffee, beer, and cider at The Yard (Credit: @dollarsaenz)

The Yard, Austin’s home to the next generation of local movers, shakers, and—above all—makers, makes the quick trip south of Ben White worth it. Whether you crave high quality coffee, award-winning wine, a place for your band to jam, or a beach volleyball haven, you’ll find what you want a mere 10 minutes from downtown. Not to mention whiskey, beer, and Thai food. This is the second installment in my series highlighting the talented people setting up shop at this development in south Austin. [Read more…]

Tasting Innovation at The Austin Winery in South Austin

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The Austin Winery Tasting Room

The Austin Winery at The Yard development in South Austin (Credit: Susannah Haddad)

Guest article by Susannah Haddad

Upon arriving at The Austin Winery, it’s clear that The Yard development in South Austin is going to be big. Currently home to businesses like St. Elmo Brewery, Vuka, Spokesman Coffee, and soon Still Austin Whiskey Co., the city’s first whiskey distillery, The Yard supports local while offering plenty to do.

Co-founders Ross McLauchlan and Cooper Anderson have been making wine since long before The Austin Winery had feet. With their balanced skill set and a gap in the Austin market, they enlisted the help of Matthew Smith, third co-founder and Chief of Operations, then opened their doors.

Walking in, you know these guys don’t mess around with innovation and efficiency. The open warehouse space not only houses a tasting room, [Read more…]

Available to Austinites Only, Dandy Rosé Is Made With All Texas Grapes

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Dandy Rose Made in Austin Wine

Dandy Rosé, made in Austin

Dandy Rosé is the only wine in the world made especially for Austinites. Its creator, Rae Wilson, has even more to brag about: this Austin-exclusive rosé is made from 100 percent Texas grapes.

Wilson considers her rosé, now in its fourth year of production, to be “a love letter to Austin.” The sommelier-turned-winemaker is proving to the rest of the country that authentic and complex wine can be grown and produced in Texas. [Read more…]

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