Perfect Pairings

Perfect pairings: 6 great wine getaways in the Texas Hill Country and Bryan

It's time to slow down and plan a weekend getaway where you can relax and enjoy some of Texas' finest wines. We’ve got six perfect pairings for your next getaway, all located a few hours drive from Houston.

A best-kept secret for many of the wineries on our list is membership in their exclusive wine clubs, which includes complimentary tastings, notifications of limited and newly released wines, member parties and special events, and discounts on bottles and cases. Check individual winery websites for details. Now onto the pairings.

Duchman Family Winery in Driftwood and Sage Hill Inn in Kyle
Duchman Family Winery is known for its Italian wines, most notably its Vermentino; founders Stan and Lisa Duchman turned their love of old-world wines into an award-winning success story. Located in nearby Driftwood, it's an easy getaway, and, best of all, it's only 20 minutes away from the beautiful Sage Hill Inn, a luxury property with a pool, fire pit, spa, onsite restaurant, and terrific Hill Country views.

Insider tip: Enjoy the Hill Country sunset from the back deck and end the day by the fire pit under the brightest stars in Texas.

Bending Branch Winery in Comfort and Camp Comfort
Bending Branch Winery has a beautiful tasting room and outdoor porch to enjoy a glass of Texas Tannat. Located in Comfort, it's a leisurely drive through the Hill Country, less than two hours from Austin and a mere 47 miles from San Antonio. Nearby Camp Comfort is a rustic retreat created from a historic bowling alley built in 1860. It's the perfect place to wind down after a day of wine tasting.

Pedernales Cellars in Stonewall and Rose Hill Manor
Pedernales Cellars, a family-owned winery specializing in Spanish and Rhone style wines, has a striking view of the Hill Country from its outdoor deck, perfect for sampling the signature Tempranillo and Viognier wines. Just down the road is the beautiful Rose Hill Manor, a historic inn with suites and individual cottages. This is the place for a special romantic getaway — perfect for proposals and anniversaries.

Insider tip: Make reservations in advance for the three-course dinner.

Brennan Vineyards in Comanche and the Star of Texas B&B in Brownwood
Brennan Vineyards’ tasting room is in one of the oldest homesteads in Texas, dating back to 1876. The vineyard recently debuted its below-ground cellar renovation, where you can enjoy reserve tastings (by appointment only and very limited, so be sure to reach out in advance). The Star of Texas B&B, which specializes in peace and pampering, is about 30 minutes from Brennan Vineyards and offers private cottages and a hot breakfast delivered to your room. Enjoy a secluded country setting where you can relax in the hot tub under the stars or sit back on your porch and listen to the birds. No children or pets allowed, so relax and enjoy a weekend getaway for two.

Fall Creek Vineyards in Driftwood and FCV Wine Country Inn
One of the pioneers of the Texas wine industry, Fall Creek Vineyards has opened a winery and tasting room in Driftwood. A short 25-minute drive from downtown Austin, it is the only vineyard on our list that also has an exclusive guest house located on the property. This is a getaway perfect for two couples, as the inn has two bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a lovely living room featuring a huge stone fireplace. No children or pets allowed.

Insider tip: Call ahead for information on private tastings and special events. Make reservations well in advance, as there is only one rental house on the property.

Messina Hof Winery and The Villa at Messina Hof in Bryan
The Bonarrigo family established Messina Hof in 1977 and became a pioneer in the Texas winemaking and wine tourism industry. Today, the tradition is carried on by Paul Mitchell Bonarrrigo and his wife, Karen, who continue to produce award-winning wines and are known for their hospitality.

Messina Hof is located in Bryan, a short 10-minute drive from Texas A&M University. The villa features romantically decorated rooms named for iconic lovers and 11 suites, some with private patios and balconies. Your stay includes a tour of Messina Hof Winery, a sparkling wine breakfast, and a wine and cheese reception in the evening. Guests are also invited to dine at the onsite Vintage House Restaurant.

Insider tip: Messina Hof also has a tasting room in Fredericksburg, and the Manor Haus B&B is located just behind it. There are four romantic retreats at this B&B, each with private entrances, living rooms, and kitchenettes.

Pair the Sage Hill Inn with a trip to Duchman Family Winery.

Sage Hill Inn & Spa/Facebook

Pair the Sage Hill Inn with a trip to Duchman Family Winery.

hotels wine vacation texas

Best of the South

Southern Living lauds Hill Country hotspots in new annual awards

Visit Fredericksburg TX/Facebook

Southern Living is showing Fredericksburg some love in its annual awards.

The famous German Hill Country town of Fredericksburg is getting the spotlight as a must-visit destination in Southern Living's 2026 South's Best Awards, as well as its new boutique hotel, a café in Marble Falls, and an iconic Austin barbecue joint.

Fredericksburg claimed the coveted No. 3 spot in the publication's ranking of the Best Small Towns in the South.

The annual awards are determined through third-party online surveys of Southern Living consumers from July 9 to September 9, 2025. Over 17,000 respondents rated their favorite places across the South, the report said.

The top two best small Southern towns were St. Augustine, Florida (No. 1), and St. Simons Island/Golden Isles, Georgia (No. 2).

Specifically, Southern Living gave a nod to Fredericksburg's growth and the recent addition of The Albert Hotel, which opened in 2025. The Albert Hotel was ranked the 10th best new hotel in 2026.

"The city’s premier full-service luxury hotel revives a cluster of 19th-century landmarks, from a historic saloon to a former pharmacy that is now a cafe, deli, and artisan market," the report said. "Alongside the 105 minimalist guest rooms, a holistic spa and a limestone pool provide moments of quiet relaxation."

We all need a relaxing day poolside at the Albert Hotel pool oasis.Photo by Chase Daniels

As the Fredericksburg area grows, Southern Living said, it still maintains its cozy, small-town feel.

"Fredericksburg still wears its German heritage on its sleeve, evident throughout Main Street architecture and a lively cluster of biergartens and long-running seasonal festivals," the report's author wrote. "Wine lovers will feel particularly at home thanks to more than 100 wineries and tasting rooms scattered throughout town and the surrounding countryside."

It's no wonder Southern Living decided to locate its 2026 Idea House there.

Popular events like the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival and locally focused programs like the Texas Hill Country Wineries wine passports draw in crowds from all parts of Texas. The town is about a four-hour drive from Houston, which makes it a great weekend or spring break escape. Houston-area travelers might even spot small patches of bluebonnets during their road trip through the Hill Country.

No matter which route you take, travelers should make a pit stop through another small Texas town called Marble Falls, which is home to one of Southern Living's most legendary Southern restaurants: Blue Bonnet Cafe. According to the report, its longstanding staff members embody the idea of "southern hospitality" every day.

"There’s one real reason the Blue Bonnet Cafe is so widely respected: The folks who run the place have been holding this small-town diner to high standards for years," the report said.

Blue Bonnet Cafe opened in 1929 and was later bought by the Kemper family in 1981, who still own and operate it today. Southern Living recommends ordering one of the blue plate specials, and a slice of pie is a mandatory treat.

"With 15 options — from luxuriously creamy to bright and fruity — you’re guaranteed to find one you’ll love," the report said.

Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls, Texas Ordering a slice of pie is a requirement, not a suggestion.Blue Bonnet Cafe - Marble Falls, TX/Facebook

The only other Texas destination to earn recognition in Southern Living's annual awards was the iconic Franklin Barbecue in Austin, which was crowned the best barbecue joint in Texas by the publication's readers.

"Fans from around the world queue up for hours to experience the craftsmanship that has made Franklin a barbecue celebrity," the report said. "Flawless prime-grade brisket with a sweet, tangy glaze is still the showstopper here, and it’s accompanied by the quintessential Central Texas lineup of pork ribs, turkey, and jalapeño-Cheddar sausage."

travel southern living awards fredericksburg marble falls barbecue austin