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    Texas getaways

    First-of-its-kind Hill Country resort blends acclaimed Texas winery, brewery, and spa

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Feb 27, 2023 | 12:00 pm

    When he’s a beer-loving outdoor enthusiast and she’s a wine-loving spa junkie, agreeing on plans for a quick Hill Country getaway can be tricky. My husband likes to spend the day climbing hills in state parks; I’d rather climb on and off a wine tour bus. He hunts down hoppy craft beer in town; I search for lavender bath products.

    So a new(ish) Hill Country resort with our vacation trifecta — winery, brewery, and spa — beckoned to us for a weekend away. Carter Creek Winery, Resort & Spa stands high on a hill overlooking U.S. Hwy. 290, just off a swerve-fast-or-you’ll-miss-it exit outside Johnson City.

    Thirty miles east of Fredericksburg, it’s along a stretch of the famous “Texas wine road” between Johnson City and Stonewall that’s become an attractive destination for a slightly more laid-back oenophile experience. (Locals are quick to make Napa-Sonoma comparisons.)

    Carter Creek Family Winery has been bottling wines in the area since 2016, and they come with fine Texas pedigree: Head winemaker is Jon McPherson, son of Texas wine industry pioneer "Doc" McPherson and brother of renowned winemaker Kim McPherson. Jon McPherson has teamed up with winemaker Javier Flores to turn out award-winning Carter Creek wines for several years.

    In December 2019, owners Jim and Dawn Carter opened Carter Creek Winery Resort in Johnson City as a sister property to their South Coast Winery Resort & Spa in Temecula, California. Knowing how much Texans like their beer, they say, they threw in a microbrewery, too. The Hill Country resort debuted with a winery and two tasting rooms, onsite brewery, restaurant, seasonal smokehouse, outdoor events center, and 78 luxe private villas.

    Then COVID-19 hit weeks later and shut it all down.

    As restrictions loosened and tourists came back to the area, the owners continued with their plans, finally adding a long-anticipated spa in summer 2022.

    Carter Creek now has the only spa in the eastern section of the Hill Country. It’s also the only winery resort with a brewery in the area.

    Rooms and brews
    After a longer-than-usual drive from Fort Worth to Johnson City (who knew Marble Falls and Burnet had rush-hour traffic?), we checked into villa #2704, our own private palace: separate living room and bedroom, two 55-inch flat screen TVs and an electric fireplace, bathroom with double vanity, and porch with seating area.

    We couldn’t help but compare this $209-per-night Hill Country castle to more high-profile Texas hotel-resorts - with tiny rooms - that cost double or triple as much. We were also thankful our quiet villa was one of the farthest back from the highway.

    A (recommended) dinner reservation at the resort's Old 290 Brewery Restaurant awaited, just a short walk down a well-lit path across the property. “Old 290” refers to the road that runs along the resort - the actual old 290 road to Fredericksburg from Johnson City.

    Here, head brewmeister Justin Zimmerman crafts award-winning small-batch light ales, medium-bodied pale ales, and stouts. Folks were buzzing about his Hell Raiser Bourbon Brown, aged for two months in nearby Garrison Brothers Bourbon Barrels, which won a coveted gold medal in the Fredericksburg Craft Beer Festival last summer. His El Bigote Mexican Lager took home a bronze.

    The brewery’s adjacent Hill Country-fine dining restaurant serves the steaks, burgers, and CFS Texas diners demand, with some cheffy twists. The Old 290 Bison Burger, for instance, is topped with brie cheese, tomato bacon jam, horseradish pickles, and crispy onions on a pretzel bun. At a breakfast buffet, “Chef Trey” cooked eggs to order for every guest.

    Over housemade garlic knots with tomato garlic compound butter, my husband sampled a flight of Old 290 beers - the IPA earned a rave from the self-proclaimed "hophead" - and I tried Carter Creek wine for the first time. (Tip: Take advantage of the free samples offered before committing to a glass.)

    Without evening plans, we’d considered driving 30 miles to legendary Luckenbach to enjoy some live music. No need. A local musician entertained on the restaurant’s stage for hours. Outside, guests gathered around fire pits on the patio and played cornhole on the lush lawn that doubles as a wedding venue with beautiful vistas.

    Spa with panache
    The next morning, I arrived far too early for my facial and had the intimate spa all to myself. The 1,500-square-foot Carter Creek Spa might be small, but it’s got a mighty name behind it. Spa director Gülçin Johnson is a well-respected aesthetician with an eponymous skincare line called Gülçin Johnson Botanicals carried at top spas across the country.

    Carter Creek Spa offers a variety of massages, body treatments, facials, and foot reflexology treatments for individuals or couples. A dry sauna, outdoor pool, and hot tub are just steps away. While priority is given to resort patrons, the spa welcomes day guests for appointments, too.

    My refreshing, 50-minute Carter Creek Classic Facial - featuring some Eminence Organic products I've long loved - ended with a glass of crisp Muscat Canelli wine in the relaxation area. (So what if it was not quite 11 am?)

    Wine time
    An afternoon wine tasting revealed that, unlike other Hill Country wineries with lists as long as a Cheesecake Factory menu, Carter Creek zeroes in on a handful and does them well - currently, four whites, four reds, a rose, a sparkling, and two dessert wines.

    The winemakers lean into European varietals, producing crisp whites such the popular Gloriosa ($24), a not-too-sweet blend of Gewurztraminer, Riesling, and Muscat Canelli; and complex reds, such as the top-selling Maverick ($39), a Rhone-style blend of Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Viognier.

    Carter Creek also makes a Sparkling Peach ($35) that’s such a sensation, they have trouble keeping it in stock. It also has a fun backstory: When the Carters asked Jon McPherson - a master winemaker with special expertise in sparkling wines - to create a peach sparkler as a nod to the Hill Country, it took some arm-twisting. He wasn’t going to make some cloying hot-tub sipper, he told them; he would make it his way, as a “serious” wine.

    A blend of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Muscat Canelli, and Pinot Noir results in a lightly sweet, refreshingly crisp and only slightly “peachy” bubbly. It won Double Gold at the 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, in fact.

    We couldn’t resist purchasing a bottle, along with three other favorites. (Looking back, we should have joined the wine club on the spot and saved 25 percent; there was no pressure to do so.)

    Outdoors and out-of-this-world
    After spa-ing and sipping, it was time for an outdoor adventure together. Pedernales Falls State Park was just a picturesque, 30-minute drive away. We laced up our hiking boots and drove down hilly backroads to the park, where my husband’s handy Texas State Parks Pass got us in free.

    On this sunny afternoon, a lot of other people had the same idea. We hiked out to the famous river rocks - mostly dry after a season with little rain. To break from the crowds, we sat for a spell in the bird blind and viewed bright red cardinals a chirpy finches darting around the trees.

    At dusk, we drove up to the park’s star theater for a stargazing session led by a state park ranger. While we bundled up in a blanket and gazed up at the stars, “Ranger Steve” laser-pointed to constellations and recounted their humorous and harrowing origin stories.

    Then, he paused and told us to look up at a blinking light streaking overhead. We waved hello to the International Space Station as it cruised by for four minutes, then disappeared among the million stars in the night sky.

    We left the Hill Country, this time, having sampled a bit of everything we were craving - wine, beer, pampering, and nature.

    Everything, that is, except bluebonnets. Now, to plan that spring wildflower excursion.

    ---

    Carter Creek Winery, Resort & Spa, 4064 W. U.S. Highway 290, Johnson City. Rates start at $209, plus $19 per-night resort fees. Discounts available for AAA, AARP, and more. Family-friendly and pet-friendly. Check website for days and hours at tasting room, restaurant, and spa.

    Carter Creek Winery, Resort & Spa
      

    Photo courtesy of Carter Creek Winery Resort

    There's live music on stages both inside the restaurant and outside in a pavilion.

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    where to travel right now

    Stunning Hill Country getaways lead 13 Texas travel ideas for July

    Amber Heckler
    Jul 1, 2025 | 1:30 pm
    Thompson Houston hotel
    Photo courtesy of Thompson Houston
    Extravagant Thompson Houston guests will enjoy this view of the Houston skyline during the fireworks on July 4th.

    Options abound for a fun-filled vacation around Texas in July, from a just-opened hotel in Gruene to a cabana getaway at an iconic Fort Worth Stockyards retreat. There are also great ways to "escape" closer to home in Houston, such as watching the July 4th fireworks from the rooftop helipad at a luxe hotel.

    Here are our top picks for summer travel events, hotel deals, and more in July.

    At home in Houston

    The Thompson Houston hotel is ready to dazzle guests with a once-in-a-lifetime, over-the-top July 4th package for a whopping $25,000. It includes a two-night stay in the hotel's penthouse suite; dinner for two with butler champagne service on the 36th-story rooftop helipad, with 360-degree views of the Houston skyline and fireworks displays; a couples massage at the luxurious Thompson Spa; and private, first-class ground transportation to and from the airport. The package will be available exclusively on Friday, July 4.

    Austin

    Houstonians who want to relive the fun of going to a summer camp can recapture the magic with these 24 à la carte activities, from horseback riding in Lockhart to ceramic classes at a newly opened pottery studio on Austin's iconic South Congress Avenue. Prices for the activities vary, and several are free or under $50 per person.

    Thompson Houston hotel
      

    Photo courtesy of Thompson Houston

    Extravagant Thompson Houston guests will enjoy this view of the Houston skyline during the fireworks on July 4th.

    For sun-soaked travelers in need of a self care day, Viva Day Spa is celebrating its 20th anniversary with 20 days of specials until Thursday, July 12. Among the deals are a 50-minute full-body Swedish massage or a custom designer facial with a neck and shoulder massage for $100 (both valued at $150 each), or a "Viva Sampler Spa Package" that includes a 45-minute Swedish massage, Viva Express facial and pedicure, and a limited edition take-home gift for $300 (valued at $400). Services can be booked online.

    The world-renowned Balloon Museum, a highly Instagrammable interactive art installation, has just opened its doors in Austin. The family-friendly exhibit is perfect for visitors who love a good psychedelic and immersive experience, featuring works from 19 artists from around the world, such as aerial installations, lighting displays, and (of course) many balloons. Tickets range from $34 to $50, depending on a guest's age and time of day, and are available online.

    "Hyperstellar" installation at the Balloon Museum"Hyperstellar" by Hyperstudio is one of the mind-bending works at the Balloon Museum internationally. It won't be coming to Austin, but more work from Hyperstudio will. Photo courtesy of the Balloon Museum

    Swim Club, the refreshing pool-turned-restaurant at the Downright Austin hotel, is hosting a "dive-in" movie series this summer, including showings of iconic films like The Meg (July 9), a 50th anniversary screening of Jaws (July 10), and Sharknado (July 24). Free night swim will begin at 7 pm, and screenings will take place by the pool and on the lawn starting at around 8:15 pm (depending on when the sun sets). Admission is free.

    The Hill Country

    The Fredericksburg Food and Wine Festival is planning special wine pairings and culinary experiences for its second-ever "Preview Week" from July 21-27. The lineup of events include a conversation with Women for WineSense on July 21, an oyster and martini mixer on July 23, a boozy brunch at The Albert Hotel on July 26th, and much more. Ticket prices start at $25 per person and vary by event.

    The Lower Colorado River Authority has debuted a cool glamping solution for those unbearably hot Texas summer days: The Ööd Mirror Houses, located at Lake Bastrop South Shore Park. The two pet-friendly tiny homes feature floor-to-ceiling mirrored glass walls for guests to immerse themselves into nature while enjoying complete privacy. Rates start at just over $200 per night before fees, and increase to more than $300 before fees during certain times.

    Carter Creek Winery Resort and Spa, a road trip-worthy retreat in Johnson City, is launching its new "Hidden Gems of the Texas Hill Country Package" for guests booking two-night stays to explore the region's best wine, beer, and whiskey. Guests will be treated with tastings for two at the resort restaurant Old 290 Brewery, Hye-based Garrison Brothers Distillery, and at Wildseed Farms Winery in Fredericksburg. Rates for two-night stays begin at $401; use the promo code "CCWGEMS". The package will be available through August 2025.

    Carter Creek Winery Resort & SpaCarter Creek Winery Resort & Spa is located in Johnson City, a Hill Country town 211 miles from Houston.Photo courtesy of Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa

    After a two-year renovation and rebranding, Hacienda Del Rio Hotel and Bar has opened in Gruene, a historic district within New Braunfels. The property now has 48 renovated midcentury-style rooms, updated pool amenities, and much more. The hotel will also partner with Paddle Texas to offer river adventures like kayaking or paddle boarding. Rates at Hacienda Del Rio Hotel begin at $125 per night, and introductory rates are available for those who book through December 31, 2025.

    San Antonio

    The beloved Briscoe Western Art Museum is saddling up for National Day of the Cowboy with a free, all-day celebration on Saturday, July 26, from 10 am to 4 pm. The museum and McNutt Sculpture Garden will offer free admission all day, and families can enjoy watching local rodeo cowboys practice lasso and roping demonstrations, as well as live demonstrations from local artists, and many more cowboy-themed activities.

    The DoSeum, San Antonio's interactive museum for kids, was recently hailed as one of Condé Nast Traveler's best children's museums nationwide. The list of acclaimed winners are "powerhouses of play" that inspire curiosity and creativity among their young patrons, according to the national publication. Admission is $18 for both adults and children, and free for children under one year old.

    Dallas-Fort Worth

    Taking a summer trip doesn't necessarily mean having to travel long distances. Travelers can relish some summer fun in North Texas with trip to Frisco, where several local hotels are offering discounted stays with nightly rates up to 30 percent off when booked through Visit Frisco's website. Additional summer savings are available from KidZania and Strikz Entertainment. The "Summer Family Fun Sale" will run through September 2025.

    Fort Worth's award-winning Hotel Drover is offering guests a "Midweek Cabana Retreat" from Monday through Thursday, complete with special cabana rates, complimentary overnight valet, and enhanced Wi-Fi. The Veranda Bar + Pool is also unveiling its new summer menu with new refreshing cocktails and mocktails, plus new dishes like parmesan truffle fries and a barbacoa quesadilla. Cabanas can be reserved online.

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