Wine in Bloom

Get free tastings at 46 Hill Country wineries with spring 2025 passport

Wildseed Farms Vineyeard specifically ties together the two pleasures of wine and wildflowers.

A chance to see wildflowers blanketing the Hill Country landscape is reason enough to drive out in the spring, but a wine passport gives nearly 50 reasons to extend the trip. Wineries across the region are joining together to offer free tastings and discounts via the Wine & Wildflower Journey Passport from March 24 to April 18.

The purpose of the passport program — which is repeated throughout the year for different occasions like Texas Wine Month and Christmas — is to encourage visitors to split their time between numerous vineyards and come back for more. It covers a complimentary tasting at each venue for up to four visits a day; then it tacks on a 15 percent discount on purchases of at least three bottles.

This particular passport is timed perfectly for catching wildflowers. It does not offer any additional information about which spots will have the most flowers (they are, after all, wild), but they'll be hard to miss as visitors drive through the area.

The passport is organized by Texas Hill Country Wineries, a nonprofit trade association that helps its member vineyards by promoting them and creating easy itineraries. It offers visitors resources like an interactive wine map to narrow down venues according to their needs.

It also provides scholarships within the wine industry, and $5 from each passport sold will go toward helping Texas students get degrees in viticulture, enology, or hospitality.

Tickets are available for $65 per person or $100 per couple. The release calculates that the passport starts representing savings on tastings after five visits.

Participating wineries are as follows (with asterisks indicated required reservations):

Airis'Ele Vineyards*
Arch Ray Winery
Becker Vineyards
Bell Springs Winery
Bending Branch Winery
Bingham Family Vineyards
Blue Lotus Winery
Carter Creek Winery
Driftwood Estate Winery*Dry Comal Creek Vineyards*
Farmhouse Vineyards
Fiesta Winery at Bend
Fiesta Winery at Arch Ray
Flat Creek Estate*
Grape Creek Vineyards
Grape Creek / Heath Family Brands on Main
Hawk's Shadow Winery
Heath Sparkling Wine
Hilmy Cellars
Hye Meadow Winery
Invention Vineyards
Inwood Estates*
Kerrville Hills Winery
Kuhlman Cellars
Limestone Terrace
Longhorn Cellars*
Lost Draw*
Messina Hof Hill Country Winery
Pedernales Cellars*
Pontotoc Vineyard Picnic Table
Portree Cellars*
Ron Yates
Silver Dollar Hill Country
Sister Creek Vineyards
Spicewood Vineyards
Texas Heritage Vineyard
Texas Hills Vineyard
Texas Wine Collective
Torr Na Lochs Vineyard & Winery
Turtle Creek Vineyard *
Wedding Oak Winery San Saba*
Wedding Oak Winery Burnet*
Wedding Oak Winery Fredericksburg*
Westcave Cellars Winery
Wildseed Vineyards*
William Chris Vineyards*

wine wildflowers

hospitality awards

Houston billionaire's Uptown hotel ranks No. 2 in Texas, says U.S. News

Photo courtesy of U.S. News & World Report

The Post Oak Hotel has held on to its No. 2 ranking for the second year in a row.

Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta's famous hotel has earned a new award to add to its trophy case. The Post Oak Hotelhas claimed the No. 2 spot in U.S. News & World Report's just-released rankings of the Best Hotels in Texas for 2025 for the second consecutive year.

The 15th annual report by U.S. News analyzes more than 31,000 properties across the United States, Europe, Bermuda, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. Hotels are ranked based on industry awards, star ratings, published opinions from travel experts, and online guest reviews.

San Antonio's Hotel Emma continues its reign as the No. 1 best Texas hotel, and ranked 19th U.S. News'list of the best hotels in the nation.

The Post Oak Hotel fell into second place statewide in 2024, after previously holding the crown in 2023. It also ranks 45th in the publication's national rankings for 2025.

This resplendent hotel has been on the radar for many Houstonians and out-of-towners that want the most luxurious experiences in the city. But a stay there won't come cheap, U.S. News warns, considering its numerous amenities inside and outside their guest rooms.

"The hotel houses a salon, a spa and a fitness center equipped with weight and cardio equipment, including Peloton bikes offering live cycling classes, seasonal wellness events and occasional exercise classes," the hotel's profile says. "The pool area, billed as a 'tropical sanctuary,' is lined with cushioned lounge chairs and cabanas – and travelers say it's another fantastic perk of staying here."

The Post Oak Hotel Visitors can enjoy the best Houston has to offer. Photo courtesy of U.S. News & World Report

The hotel also boasts five different dining establishments with varying lavish cuisines.

"The hotel is also home to a chic lobby bar and The Cellar, which boasts an inventory of 30,000 bottles of wine curated by the property's sommeliers," U.S. News says.

The esteemed hotel has received many top awards as of late, including earning one Michelin Key in its inaugural Texas guide. The One Key status is awarded for hotels that provide exceptional stays with guest services that go above and beyond what other similar hotels would offer.

10 more Houston hotels earned recognition among the top 50 best hotels in Texas, including:

No. 8 – Four Seasons Hotel Houston
No. 15 – The Lancaster Hotel
No. 18 – The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa
No. 20 – The St. Regis Houston
No. 23 – Hotel ZaZa Houston Memorial City
No. 32 – The Woodlands Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton
No. 33 – The Moran CityCentre
No. 34 – JW Marriott Houston Downtown
No. 35 – Hotel Granduca Houston
No. 50 – Houston CityPlace Marriott at Springwoods Village, Spring

The best resorts in Texas
In U.S. News' separate ranking of the best Texas resorts for 2025, The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa ranked No. 3 statewide, the highest out of all Houston-area resorts.

Besides its glorious forested landscape, U.S. News says this luxe resort is highly valued by guests for its expansive size.

"And with its multiple pools, tennis courts and jogging paths (all set in 27 acres of forest), it's no wonder a lot of recent guests couldn't find a reason to leave the property," the resort's profile says. "If you're looking to burn some energy, you'll find a rock-climbing wall and a gymnasium – where more than 180 fitness classes are held each week – at your service."

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa Get some laps in before heading off to the spa for a little relaxation.Photo courtesy of U.S. News & World Report

The hotel's up-to-date tech also helps improve guest experiences.

"Inside your digs, you'll find luxury bath products, Keurig coffee makers and occupancy sensors to let housekeeping know when you're in the room so as not to disturb you," the profile says.

Other Houston-area resorts that ranked among the top 25 include:

No. 8 – The Woodlands Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton
No. 17 – Moody Gardens Hotel Spa and Convention Center, Galveston
No. 24 – Grand Galvez Resort, Autograph Collection, Galveston

hotels resorts us news & world report awards houston