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.

Explore the grounds of Messina Hof Winery in Bryan.

Photo by Anthony Rathbun

Explore the grounds of Messina Hof Winery in Bryan.

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Now hear this

New Texas museum shines spotlight on Tejano music history

Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum, San Antonio, tejano music

Photo by Edmond Ortiz

Roger Hernandez serves as board president of the Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum.

For a city that proudly calls itself the capital of Tejano music, San Antonio has long been missing a permanent place to honor the genre’s pioneers and preserve its history. That gap officially closed In December with the opening of the Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum at 1414 Fredericksburg Rd.

The music couldn’t have found a better steward than its founder and board president. Roger Hernandez has had his finger on the pulse of Tejano music for decades. His company, En Caliente Productions, has provided a platform for countless performing artists and songwriters in Tejano, conjunto, and regional Mexican music since 1982.

Hernandez says his wife, who ran a shop at Market Square years ago, would often get questions from visitors about the location of a physical Tejano music museum, a thing that simply did not exist. In 2022, he banded together with friends, family, and other local Tejano music supporters to make the nonprofit Hall of Fame a reality.

“I decided I've been in the music scene for over 40 years, it's time to do a museum,” Hernandez recalls.

Hernandez says a brick-and-mortar Tejano music museum has long been needed to remember musical acts and other individuals who grew the genre across Texas and northern Mexico, especially those who are aging. Recently, the community lost famed Tejano music producer Manny Guerra and Abraham Quintanilla, the renowned Tejano singer/songwriter and father of the late superstar Selena Quintanilla-Perez. Both deaths occurred roughly one week after the Totally Tejano museum opened to the public.

“They're all dying. They're all getting older, and we need to acknowledge all these people,” Hernandez says.

The Totally Tejano Museum — named after Hernandez’s Totally Tejano Television Roku streaming — has 5,000 square feet of space packed with plaques, photos, promotional posters, musical instruments, and other memorabilia honoring the pioneers and stars of the beloved genre. Mannequins wear stage outfits from icons like Laura Canales and Flaco Jimenez, and a wall of photos remembers late greats. Totally Tejano Television plays legendary performances on a loop, bringing the exhibits to life.

The newly opened Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum includes a growing collection of memorabilia. Photo by Edmond Ortiz

Hernandez says the museum will soon welcome permanent and rotating exhibits, including traveling shows, a Hall of Fame section, and an area paying homage to Chicano music crossovers, such as the late Johnny Rodriguez, the South Texas singer-songwriter who blended country with Tex-Mex music. Plans call for the organization to hold its inaugural Hall of Fame induction in February 2026.

Eventually, a 2,000 square feet back room will be converted into additional display space and host industry gatherings, community symposiums, and record and video release parties. The museum also plans to add a gift and record shop and a music learning room where visitors can listen to early Tejano music and browse archival photos. Hernandez is already talking with local school districts about educational field trips.

Much like Tejano itself, the museum is a grassroots production. Hernandez and fellow board members have used their own money to rent, renovate, develop, and maintain the museum space. The board also leads the selection of the Hall of Fame honorees and curates the exhibits.

Hernandez has been heartened by the museum’s reception, both from media outlets and music fans around Texas and beyond.

“We had a radio station come in this morning from Houston to interview us,” he says. “People have come in from Lubbock, Texas. We have had people from Midland, Texas. We have another person who emailed us who’s coming in from New York. People are learning all about us.”

That includes many of the musicians who helped shape the genre. Johnny Hernandez, Sunny Ozuna, Elida Reyna, and Danny Martinez from Danny and The Tejanos are among the luminaries who have already graced the halls.

The Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum is now open 10 am-6 pm, Tuesday-Sunday, and closed Monday. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Fans can call 210-314-1310 for more information.

san antonio tejano music museums hall of fame music openings