Raise a Glass

Gorgeous sips and stunning views will have you crushing on this new Hill Country winery

There’s a new winery in the Texas Hill Country, and it will give you all the heart eyes. It might also have you thinking you’re not in the Lone Star State anymore.

Chapelton Vineyards and Winery is located in quaint, historic Washington County, only an hour and change from Houston. But thanks to the elegant surroundings and high-quality experience of the tasting room, it will feel like you are thousands of miles away in Napa Valley.

And that’s exactly what founders Dr. Michelle Lyn and Kurt Lyn wanted. The native Houstonians have a 75-acre ranch in the area, but were pleasantly surprised when a small vineyard they planted thrived.

They initially planned to focus only on Blanc du bois grapes, but after a brief trip to Spain they decided to add Tempranillo and Merlot grapes to the mix. Their first harvest was this past summer, and it wildly exceeded their expectations.

Now, with the holidays in full tilt, there’s no better time to raise a glass to this new destination. Venture to “wine country” for the day, check the box on holiday gifts (amazing wine for everyone on your list!), and even host a family gathering or special event.

Here’s how to make the most of it Chapelton Vineyards:

Schedule a VIP wine tasting and tour
Sure, you can swing by Chapelton for a seated wine tasting, but the VIP tour will let you explore the vineyards with a designated guide. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the onsite production facility and barrel room before tasting five wines in the Lyn Loft, paired with a curated charcuterie board.

Get away for the weekend
You probably won’t want to leave Chapelton — and the Lyns have a solution for that. The Chapelton Villa is a luxe property overlooking the vineyard and within walking distance of the winery. It’s the perfect place to book for a weekend getaway this holiday.

Channel the peacefulness of the Washington County countryside while also being close to other Texas gems like Round Top, Navasota, and Brenham.

Plan a special event
From holiday parties to birthdays, engagements, rehearsal dinners, brunches, and more, Chapelton is a unique place to gather. Celebrate with a beautiful private event space, flexible catering options, and the most gorgeous Instagrammable views.

Join the Wine Club
Chapelton’s Wine Club is the best gift you can give your vino-loving friends — and yourself. The one-time membership fee entitles you to:

quarterly shipments of their incredible pours
savings on all wine purchases, public events, villa stays, and private events
a complimentary tasting every month
quarterly virtual tastings
invites to exclusive events; limited offerings not released to the public
and so much more

Further your crush on Chapelton Vineyards and Winery, and plan your escape to this Napa-in-the-Texas Hill Country destination, here.

Photo courtesy of Chapelton Vineyards

You might forget you're not in Napa.

wine vacation promoted

arrivederci

Sophisticated Houston Italian eatery quietly closes after 3 years

Photo by Brian Kennedy

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An Italian restaurant in Uptown has served its last meal. Tavola has closed, its owner The Bastion Collection announced on social media.

“To our team, who brought heart to every service, and to our guests, who filled our dining room with connection, laughter, and a shared love of Italian cuisine — grazie for being part of our story,” the statement reads in part. “As we close this chapter, we are excited for what comes next and look forward to sharing more about the future of this space soon.”

Bastion Collection COO Deleon Pinto tells CultureMap in an email that closing Tavola is part of Bastion’s long term strategy for Houston. The company also operates two concepts at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston — Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant Le Jardinier and its casual sibling Cafe Leonelli — as well as Bar Moon and private events space Soleil that are both located above Tavola. All of those concepts remain open and are not affected by Tavola’s closure.

“As The Bastion Collection continues to evolve in Houston, the next phase centers on creative independence. The transition of the Tavola space has always been part of the long-term vision for the property following the development of Moon and Soleil on the second floor,” Pinto writes. “This next chapter reflects a continued investment in Houston and an opportunity to introduce concepts that further strengthen our presence in the neighborhood.”

A Bastion representative added that all of Tavola’s employees, including its chef and general manager, are currently working at either Le Jardinier or Cafe Leonelli and will be involved with the new restaurant that’s replacing Tavola when it’s ready to open. Details on the new concept will be released in the coming weeks.

Tavola opened in December 2023. Originally, Bastion partnered with Berg Hospitality (B&B Butchers, The Annie Cafe, Turner’s, etc) on the concept, but it took full control about a year after opening. The restaurant served upscale Italian fare, including endive salad with tuna, freshly made pastas, and chicken Milanese. It replaced the downstairs portion of La Table, a French fine dining restaurant that closed in 2022.

While Tavola may be gone, Uptown diners still have plenty of choices for Italian cuisine, including North Italia, Lombardi Cucina Italiana, Grotto, and il Bracco. Élephante, a coastal Italian concept from the Los Angeles-based Wish You Were Here Group, is expected to open in the nearby Central Park Post Oak development in 2028.

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