3 wine regions in Texas you have to visit

A bank of windows inside the Torr Na Lochs tasting room frame postcard views of a rolling landscape. Neat lines of stemware on rustic tables await the next pour. It’s easy to picture this luxuriously airy space as being in the heart of Napa or Sonoma—until the small herd of longhorns ambles past.

Texas wine country is truly a breed of its own. Vintners here rely on grape varietals unheard of elsewhere in the U.S. The number of permits for wineries, tasting rooms, and production facilities statewide is approaching 800, a 198% increase from a decade ago, according to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. And 8 distinct growing regions—called American Viticultural Areas (AVAs)—each offer their own microclimates and soil compositions, which impart unique flavors to their grapes.

“When it comes to terroir, we have so much variety in Texas,” says Karen DeBerry, who opened Torr Na Lochs in Burnet with her husband in 2015. “We’re a very large state. The country of France can fit inside the state of Texas.”

All this has led to a homegrown industry that’s mature enough to offer oenophiles sophistication, but young enough to entertain palates with some delightful surprises—if you know where to look. Those who want a deeper dive into Texas wine may find their next favorite spot among these 3 off-the-beaten-path areas (be sure to designate a driver if you plan to drink alcohol).

“If you’re looking to get truly involved in where Texas wine is coming from, visit Lubbock,” says Thomas Turman, executive director at McPherson Cellars. “Out here in the High Plains is where the foundation was built.”

South of the Panhandle and way out west, the long, hot summer days and cool nights help growers produce about 80% of the state’s wine grapes. It’s where some of the first vineyards were planted in earnest. But don’t let the region’s 8 million–acre expanse intimidate you; Lubbock makes for an easy starting point (and a fun weekend) sampling the area’s finest.

Nearby, Burklee Hill Vineyards is the rare winery where what’s on the plate shines as much as what’s in the glass, with an extensive bistro menu making this chic spot a must-stop for weekend brunch. Wines are made from grapes primarily sourced from the family vineyard located on fifth-generation farmland 40 miles west of Lubbock.

Perched on 3 acres just outside of town, the state’s second-oldest winery, Llano Estacado, welcomes guests with award-winning merlots, tempranillos, and cabernet sauvignons as well as a lively calendar of events on its sprawling compound.

September visitors will find High Plains vineyards hurrying to wrap up their harvest season. To celebrate that feat, Llano Estacado hosts the annual Grape Day festival, bringing together wine lovers, vendors, food trucks, music, and more. This year’s fest takes place October 15. 

The epicenter of wine tourism in Texas, Hill Country’s most famous strip is undeniably the stretch of State Highway 290 linking Fredericksburg to Johnson City. But, as the third-largest AVA in the nation, there’s a lot more to sip and savor beyond the beaten path. Expect tasting rooms focused on education, food-and-wine combos, and boutique experiences, says January Wiese, executive director of industry group Texas Hill Country Wineries.

“There’s a world of wines to try here,” says Wiese, who points out adventurous new varietals like counoise and alicante bouschet that are constantly appearing on the scene. “Anything goes. It’s laid-back. It’s relaxed.”

The tiny historic Hill Country town of Comfort offers oenophiles the chance to savor 3 Texas favorites in one trip. Viticultural pioneer Newsom Vineyards has long been the go-to grape grower for some of the state’s most lauded vintages, some of which are available in its tasting room here.

Drop into Bending Branch Winery, a perennial darling of San Antonio Express-News readers and wine-competition judges alike. And catch a sunset and a crisp white under spreading live oaks on the creekside deck at Singing Water Vineyards, which regularly hosts live music.

Whether you want a winemaker-guided tasting aloft in a tree house (Sandy Road Vineyards, Johnson City) or to indulge in an elevated 4-course meal paired with natural wines (Southold Farm and Cellar, Fredericksburg), Hill Country is the destination for unique, high-end encounters.

Dozens of urban wineries and tasting rooms fringe the Dallas–Fort Worth area. But less than 85 miles north lies the Texoma AVA, the third-largest viticultural area in the state, where a trove of boutique wineries offer gorgeous pastoral views and a slower pace than other wine hot spots.

“It’s very laid-back, very picturesque,” says Walt Roper, who owns 4R Ranch Winery in Muenster. “Just don’t drive your Porsche. We’re on gravel roads up here.”

At Hidden Hangar in Denison, all the fruit is grown its estate. This winery started its life in the 1990s as a 50-acre vineyard growing grapes for others before launching its own label in 2017. Time a visit for a wine-blending class or a wine dinner or drop in for a flight of its award winners.

Small and charming, OG Cellars in far-flung Sunset keeps things simple, spotlighting its award-winning viogniers, tempranillos, and albariños. While this family-run spot is worth a trip all its own, wine lovers can make it a twofer by dropping into nearby Alvord, where Marker Cellars offers both stellar wines and hard ciders made on-site. 

In celebration of Texas Wine Month, more than 40 wineries in North Texas participate in the Fall Wine Trail. Tickets for the passport program went on sale in August and offer holders free sips and discounts all October long.

Travel pro and guide author Jessica Fender chronicles her adventures throughout Texas, the South, and beyond at travelerbroads.com.