One Sip At A Time

Drink local to win big with Boerne's new Sip & Stroll beer + wine passport

Renowned for its vibrant craft beer and wine scene, the city of Boerne has introduced an enticing initiative: the Boerne Sip & Stroll Passport. This free digital passport invites both locals and visitors to explore the town's finest breweries, brewpubs, and wine bars, all while earning points toward an exclusive Stay & Play Sweepstakes.

How it works
Participating in the Sip & Stroll Passport is delightfully straightforward (and rewarding!):

Sign up: Register for free and instantly receive your digital passport on your mobile phone.
Check-in: Visit participating locations and check in by obtaining a unique, four-digit PIN code from the staff.
Earn entries: Each check-in earns points toward sweepstakes entries (see step-by-step photo instructions here). Locations on the Hill Country Mile are worth 100 points per check-in, while off-the-Mile spots earn 200 points, encouraging you to explore more of Boerne. You need 200 points to gain one entry, so the more locations you visit, the better your chances of winning the grand prize

Cibolo Creek Brewing Co Boerne Photo courtesy of Visit Boerne

Photo courtesy of 28 Songs Brewhouse + Kitchen

The more visits you make, the more points you earn.

And what is the grand prize? It's a luxurious two-night stay at the beautiful Bevy Hotel, as well as curated dining and sipping experiences at some of Boerne’s best establishments and exclusive swag from local favorites.

Raise a glass
From bold IPAs to smooth lagers, bold reds to crisp whites, the Sip & Stroll Passport features a curated list of Boerne's most beloved hot spots, including:

28 Songs Brewhouse + Kitchen: A venue combining craft beer with culinary delights.
Cibolo Creek Brewing Co.: A family-owned brewery offering a variety of handcrafted beers.
DeVino Cellars: A wine bar known for its selection of fine wines in a cozy atmosphere.
Dodging Duck Brewhaus: A brewpub serving unique beers alongside a diverse menu.
Free Roam Brewing Company: A brewery dedicated to crafting quality beers for all palates.
Hamby's: A local favorite offering a range of beverages in a welcoming setting.
Lost Oak Cellars: A wine bar providing an array of wines in a relaxed environment.
Platinum Brix: An establishment known for its sophisticated wine selection.
Richter Cork & Keg: A venue offering a blend of fine wines and craft beers.
Tusculum Brewing Company: A brewery combining traditional methods with innovative flavors.

Lost Oak Cellars Boerne Photo by @mycurlyadventures_

With each location offering a distinct experience, the Sip & Stroll Passport is a great way to explore Boerne’s thriving beverage scene while supporting local businesses.

Let's get social
Help get the word out for these oh-so-important local breweries, brewpubs, and wine bars. Share your visits on social media using the hashtags #BoerneSips and #CheersFromBoerne, as well as tagging @visitboerne. Your photos and posts might just inspire someone else to join the fun!

Whether you’re a visitor or proud locale, this initiative offers a fantastic way to explore all the delicious Boerne has to offer. Cheers!

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a major award

Art-filled boutique hotel in the Heights earns coveted Michelin Key

Photo by Julie Soefer

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A boutique hotel in the Heights is one of seven Texas properties to earn a coveted Michelin Key. The Hotel Daphne, a Bunkhouse property that opened in 2025, joins these other Texas stays on the list:

Four Seasons Hotel Austin
The Frances Modern Inn (Austin)
Hotel 1928 (Waco)
Missing Hotel (Marble Falls)
The Ritz-Carlton Dallas (Las Colinas)
Sophie’s Gasthaus (New Braunfels)

In its entry on the Michelin website, the Guide’s inspectors hail the five-story, 49-room property, which is also home to Hypsi, an Italian restaurant led by Houston chef Terrence Gallivan, and Bar Daphne, an art-filled cocktail bar. The hotel's walls are adorned with more than 160 pieces from the Ackerley Family Collection, which focuses on works created by living Texas artists.

A bohemian Bunkhouse hideaway and One-Key in Houston’s The Heights, with 49 rooms, a library, and a restaurant serving house-made pasta. Select suites come with a balcony; unexpected details include stitched floral headboards and funky soap dishes. A lobby shop sells locally produced jewelry and home décor.

“Being awarded a Michelin Key is a testament to our wonderful team and all the hard work they have put in to make Daphne what it is,” owner Ben Ackerly tells CultureMap. “The Heights community has been great in how well we’ve been received, and now that is being recognized on a broader scale with this accolade.”

Announced Friday, September 18, Michelin added 65 properties in America to its list of Key-worthy stays, bringing the overall total to more than 350 hotels nationwide. Hotel Daphne is the fifth Houston hotel to earn One Key status, joining The Post Oak Hotel, Hotel ZaZa Houston (Museum District), Hotel ZaZa Memorial City, and the Hotel Saint Augustine, a Bunkhouse property in Montrose. The Carr Mansion in Galveston also holds one Michelin Key.

Similar to the famous Michelin Stars awarded to restaurants, hotels may receive one, two, or three keys, which is defined as follows:

One Michelin Key for hotels that offer "very special" stays with service that "provides significantly more than similarly priced establishments."
Two Michelin Keys for "exceptional stays" where memorable guest experiences are "always guaranteed" with a special emphasis on the hotel's design or architecture.
Three Michelin Keys for hotels that provide "extraordinary stays" for "the ultimate in comfort and service, style and elegance."

No properties in Texas hold three Michelin Keys. The state’s only two key properties are the Commodore Perry Estate (Austin), the Bowie House (Fort Worth), and Hotel Emma (San Antonio).

hotels hotel daphne awards michelin keys the-heights