WINE NEWS
Pioneering Texas winemaker plans new winery and hotel for Hill Country
Llano Estacado Winery is moving forward on a Fredericksburg hotel and event space.
A pioneer in Texas winemaking is making a leap from grocery store shelves to upscale hospitality. The city of Fredericksburg has approved plans for Lubbock’s Llano Estacado Winery to build a five-building complex that will include a new winery, restaurant, event space, and 41-room boutique hotel.
In January, the winery announced its acquisition by a small group of investors, including wine industry vet Bret Perrenoud and Lubbock attorneys Kevin Glasheen and Noe Valles. At the time, it teased its ambitious intentions to beef up its physical presence in both its South Plains home and Fredericksburg.
“Llano has so much history, distribution, and the largest winemaking facility in the state,” said Bret Perrenoud in a previous release. “This is an incredible opportunity to build on that legacy. The new investment and energy from the ownership team are invigorating.”
The unanimous Fredericksburg vote, which included a zoning request, land-use change, and permitting, paves the way for the brand to move forward on a facility that will showcase the higher-end offerings of Texas' second-oldest winery. Although Llano Estacado is most known for its budget-friendly Sweet Red label, its finer wines have won awards nationwide.
The mixed-use development will be located on Llano Street — a short hop from Fredericksburg’s iconic Main Street. Although no updated timelines were provided in the city council meeting, the previous announcement said the winery is aiming to open sometime in 2026.
The project will require some infrastructure improvements, such as a cul-de-sac and a parking lot, but Llano Estacado says it will foot the bill. It also promised to maintain a section of the hike-and-bike trail near the property.
Fredericksburg is undergoing an unprecedented growth spurt as the once-sleepy Hill Country town transforms into a tony tourist destination. Among the more notable projects set to arrive in the next two years is Kimpton Fredericksburg, the heart of the 22-acre Meuse development. The town will also score Texas’ first outpost of the storied Waldorf Astoria hotel.
