wine time

Houston-area vineyard uncorks a convenient getaway for wine lovers

Texan wine lovers and oenophiles are no doubt familiar with the popular Lone Star State winery, Messina Hof, which, in January, broke ground at its largest location to date in Richmond.

Houstonians who want to uncork a fun, winery getaway experience won’t need to wait for Messina Hof’s sprawling estate, or a road trip to Fredericksburg, however. West Sandy Creek Winery, located between Montgomery and Huntsville (little more than an hour from Houston), has reopened its doors after closing in accordance with the state-wide stay at home order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, according to a statement.

The 60-acre ranch nestled at the edge of the Sam Houston National Forest in Richards, Texas, offers guests a chance to enjoy a bottle of wine outside in one of the winery’s gazebos or on the patio and views of the vineyards and animals — horses, cows, goats, chickens, dogs, zebra, and donkeys — that call the ranch home.

Other popular draws include cabin rentals (especially handy for those who imbibe copious amounts of wine) and the ranch’s two zebronkeys, an impossibly cute cross between a zebra and donkey.

West Sandy Creek Winery boasts 12 acres of Blanc du Bois grapes, which were developed by a Texan in a University of Florida lab in 1968. It grows three varieties of grapes and produces three distinctly different wines:

Four blanc (sweet, dry, oaked, and dessert)
Three Lenoir (sweet/blush, dry, and port)
Two blends – Bounty Land Crossings (a Tempranillo/Lenoir blend, and a rose, a Blanc du Bois/Lenoir blend)

The winery’s tasting room is not currently open — in accordance with safety guidelines. To further ensure safety, the winery is enacting the following rules, which include:

No more than six guests per party.
Customers should not re-arrange tables or chairs from their locations.
Restrooms are open in the tasting room for guests to use one at a time and guests are asked not to linger in the tasting room, which is currently closed.
Tastings will be served using a single plastic cup. Guests are asked to observe the marked spaces on the patio and line up accordingly to maintain social distancing.
The winery will not be selling or serving food, but guests are welcome to bring their own to enjoy with their wine.
All reservations last a maximum of 2.5 hours. If guests plan to be at the winery for a shorter time, please inform the staff, so they can schedule other guests accordingly. The time limits will be enforced to clean and disinfect for the next reservation.
Wine will be served by the bottle with a wine opener for guests to use. Guests can bring their own wine opener if they prefer.

“Overall, we’re following the established guidelines, but the situation is fluid and we will continue to adjust our operations as required,” said Sandy McGinley, the winery’s general manager, in a statement. “In the meantime, we invite our loyal customers to return and new guests to experience a taste of what West Sandy Creek Winery has to offer.”

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West Sandy Creek Winery; 1 Winery Rd., 1773 FM 1791, Richards, Texas; 936-436-9050. Open Thursdays from 1 pm to 6 pm; Fridays and Saturdays from 1 pm to 7 pm; and Sundays 1 pm to 6 pm.

Uncork a wine lover's experience.

Photo courtesy of West Sandy Creek Winery

Uncork a wine lover's experience.

wine

Riverside Reno

Fresh makeover turns Hill Country hotel into modern riverside refuge

Photo courtesy of Hacienda Del Rio\u200b

No matter how cosmopolitan the hotel gets, nothing can beat the trees around this pool.

After a two-year renovation and rebranding, Hacienda Del Rio Hotel and Bar has opened in Gruene, a historic district within New Braunfels. Formerly the Gruene Outpost River Lodge, the property along the Guadalupe River now has 48 renovated rooms, new outdoor sports like pickleball, and updated amenities at the pool.

The River Lodge's previous aesthetic was DIY and rustic, but the new Hacienda Del Rio has a much more cosmopolitan, contemporary design. The new look is full of midcentury styles, but with other eclectic elements mixed in. A press release declares the space was "designed in the spirit of Spanish colonial architecture," but don't expect anything old-fashioned.

$Hacienda Del Rio\u200b Hotel and Bar interior$ These earthy tones mellow out an otherwise energetic space.Photo courtesy of Hacienda Del Rio

Texas-based hotel group French Cowboys was behind this major makeover, which started in April 2023. That puts Hacienda Del Rio in a family with Camp Comfort and The Meyer Hotel in the Hill Country town of Comfort; the Claire Hotel near Canyon Lake; the Gruene River Inn and Heidelberg Lodges in New Braunfels, and Webber East in Austin.

The Hacienda can accommodate up to 178 guests in a variety of room layouts including kings, double queens, and suites. Bathrooms and showers are new, and rooms are outfitted with smart TVs, plus custom steel doors and windows. Photos of guestrooms, although they are colorful, show off a streamlined sensibility.

A new clubhouse and cocktail bar draws guests who may not be staying overnight. Coffee and breakfast will be available in the morning, followed by daytime snacks, and finally a full bar in the evening. Anyone who stops by can enjoy beer, wine, and signature cocktails, plus shuffleboard, a pool table, and even some workspace. There will also be a new conference room for presentations, retreats, and more.

$Hacienda Del Rio\u200b Hotel and Bar interior$ This lounge is open to hotel guests and the public.Photo courtesy of Hacienda Del Rio

Departing from the artsy interior to New Braunfels' beautiful surroundings, guests can play pickleball, beach volleyball, and basketball on a half-court, plus fire pits near the river and kayaks, paddleboards, and floats. River adventures will be facilitated by Paddle Texas, which will offer rentals and experiences. Finally, a renovated pool and deck provide more leisure space.

“‘Del Rio’ reflects the area’s deep connection to the Guadalupe River, where guests can jump in, float, or just hang out by the water, whether it’s at the river or our pool," said French Cowboys co-founder Dylan Petrich in a press release. "And Hacienda captures our vision of creating a vibrant, social place where people can kick back, enjoy the outdoors, and grab a drink, all in one of the Hill Country’s most iconic destinations, without breaking the bank."

Rates start at $125 per night, and the food and beverage space is open every day. Introductory rates are available for those who book through December 31, 2025.

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