A Toast to William Chris

Texas vineyard makes World’s Best list for third year in a row

William Chris Vineyards has done it again.

Photo courtesy of William Chris Vineyards

One of Texas' best vineyards has much more than the Lone Star State under its spell. William Chris Vineyards, located in Hye (out in the Hill Country) has been named the No. 63 best on the planet by World's Best Vineyards. This is its third year in a row on the list; in 2023, it was No. 60.

Despite a slight drop in the rankings, this is still a huge accomplishment. There are more than 100 wineries in the Hill Country, and William Chris was the only one to make the 51-100 list. It was one of two United States vineyards, the other being Brooks Wine in Oregon.

The top 50 vineyards will be announced on November 4, but if last year's winners and William Chris' ongoing regional dominance are any indication, Texas likely won't see any more wins. The list is compiled through the votes of nearly 500 wine and travel experts around the world, who make up the World’s Best Vineyards Academy.

The passage describing William Chris on the 51-100 list mentions the wines, the food, and also the general charm of the Hill Country:

"[...]William Chris uses minimal intervention to produce wines true to their origins from a luxurious winery near vinous hub, Fredericksburg, where you can expect a warm welcome and regular live music. Whilst overlooking the vineyards, a 'Winemaker’s Tasting’ introduces you to the range, which uses grapes you might expect for the climate like Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and some wonderfully deep Mourvèdre, along with those you might not, like a zesty white Picpoul and a newly developed sweet wine from Muscat and Malvasia. Add sustenance in the form of paired dishes with a ‘Vineyard Table Experience’ or at one of the weekly supper clubs, with picnics provided if you’re keen to explore [the] Texas Hill Country[...]"

It also names Enchante, which William Chris calls its "flagship," as the vineyard's signature wine. The only Enchante vintage still available on the winery's online store is 2021. The Bordeaux-style blend from that year is "brooding, wild, and sexy," the listing says, and includes notes of blackberry jam, eucalyptus, flaky pastry, creek bed, and more. "The palate is dry and gripping, with well-integrated oak on an almost full body," it concludes.

In addition to the regularly scheduled tastings, which can be booked by individual parties, William Chris is always hosting larger events that curious visitors can swing by. Most common are live music performances, but the vineyard also hosts seasonal events like the annual grape punch (like stomping, but with hands) and participates in regional initiatives like the Texas Wine Month passport. Some events are members-only; the Hye Society Wine Club is currently closed to new members, but a waitlist gives an opportunity for new people to join as others leave.

The 51-100 list is available at worldsbestvineyards.com. More information about the top 50 announcement is available here. William Chris Vineyards is located at 10352 US-290, Hye, Texas.

wine wineries vineyards william chris vineyards hill country lists awards

Best of the South

Southern Living lauds Hill Country hotspots in new annual awards

Visit Fredericksburg TX/Facebook

Southern Living is showing Fredericksburg some love in its annual awards.

The famous German Hill Country town of Fredericksburg is getting the spotlight as a must-visit destination in Southern Living's 2026 South's Best Awards, as well as its new boutique hotel, a café in Marble Falls, and an iconic Austin barbecue joint.

Fredericksburg claimed the coveted No. 3 spot in the publication's ranking of the Best Small Towns in the South.

The annual awards are determined through third-party online surveys of Southern Living consumers from July 9 to September 9, 2025. Over 17,000 respondents rated their favorite places across the South, the report said.

The top two best small Southern towns were St. Augustine, Florida (No. 1), and St. Simons Island/Golden Isles, Georgia (No. 2).

Specifically, Southern Living gave a nod to Fredericksburg's growth and the recent addition of The Albert Hotel, which opened in 2025. The Albert Hotel was ranked the 10th best new hotel in 2026.

"The city’s premier full-service luxury hotel revives a cluster of 19th-century landmarks, from a historic saloon to a former pharmacy that is now a cafe, deli, and artisan market," the report said. "Alongside the 105 minimalist guest rooms, a holistic spa and a limestone pool provide moments of quiet relaxation."

We all need a relaxing day poolside at the Albert Hotel pool oasis.Photo by Chase Daniels

As the Fredericksburg area grows, Southern Living said, it still maintains its cozy, small-town feel.

"Fredericksburg still wears its German heritage on its sleeve, evident throughout Main Street architecture and a lively cluster of biergartens and long-running seasonal festivals," the report's author wrote. "Wine lovers will feel particularly at home thanks to more than 100 wineries and tasting rooms scattered throughout town and the surrounding countryside."

It's no wonder Southern Living decided to locate its 2026 Idea House there.

Popular events like the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival and locally focused programs like the Texas Hill Country Wineries wine passports draw in crowds from all parts of Texas. The town is about a four-hour drive from Houston, which makes it a great weekend or spring break escape. Houston-area travelers might even spot small patches of bluebonnets during their road trip through the Hill Country.

No matter which route you take, travelers should make a pit stop through another small Texas town called Marble Falls, which is home to one of Southern Living's most legendary Southern restaurants: Blue Bonnet Cafe. According to the report, its longstanding staff members embody the idea of "southern hospitality" every day.

"There’s one real reason the Blue Bonnet Cafe is so widely respected: The folks who run the place have been holding this small-town diner to high standards for years," the report said.

Blue Bonnet Cafe opened in 1929 and was later bought by the Kemper family in 1981, who still own and operate it today. Southern Living recommends ordering one of the blue plate specials, and a slice of pie is a mandatory treat.

"With 15 options — from luxuriously creamy to bright and fruity — you’re guaranteed to find one you’ll love," the report said.

Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls, Texas Ordering a slice of pie is a requirement, not a suggestion.Blue Bonnet Cafe - Marble Falls, TX/Facebook

The only other Texas destination to earn recognition in Southern Living's annual awards was the iconic Franklin Barbecue in Austin, which was crowned the best barbecue joint in Texas by the publication's readers.

"Fans from around the world queue up for hours to experience the craftsmanship that has made Franklin a barbecue celebrity," the report said. "Flawless prime-grade brisket with a sweet, tangy glaze is still the showstopper here, and it’s accompanied by the quintessential Central Texas lineup of pork ribs, turkey, and jalapeño-Cheddar sausage."

travel southern living awards fredericksburg marble falls barbecue austin