Latest / In Wheel Time Podcast / Trade I-10 Traffic For A Tasting

Transcript

Trade I-10 Traffic For A Tasting · In Wheel Time Podcast

• 0:06
  Mike Marrs: When you think about Texas wine country, you probably picture the rolling hills around Fredericksburg, but you don't really have to drive all the way to the Hill Country to enjoy a vineyard, a tasting room, or even a relaxing weekend getaway.
• 0:19
  Mike Marrs: This week on Where the Roads Can Take Us, we're exploring six wineries a little closer to home, from the bayous of Southeast Texas over to the countryside of the Brazos Valley.
• 0:28
  Mike Marrs: Our first stop is practically in our own backyard.
• 0:31
  Mike Marrs: Free State Cellar sets along Adams Bayou in Orange, where Muscatine grapes have been growing since the 1980s.
• 0:37
  Mike Marrs: The winery takes its name from the historic Free State of Sabine, which is a once lawless territory along the Texas-Louisiana border.
• 0:44
  Mike Marrs: Today, visitors can enjoy handcrafted wines, outdoor patios that are overlooking the vineyard, and occasional live music.
• 0:51
  Mike Marrs: The Sunday House tasting room offers everything from traditional wines to fruit wines and frozen sangrias.
• 0:57
  Mike Marrs: A surprisingly peaceful escape just minutes off of Interstate 10.
• 1:01
  Mike Marrs: Heading toward Galvison County, our next stop is Hawk Vineyards and Winery in Santa Fe.
• 1:07
  Mike Marrs: Now this was established in 2000.
• 1:09
  Mike Marrs: Hawk has developed a reputation for award-winning wines.
• 1:13
  Mike Marrs: The property offers a genuine vineyard atmosphere with tasting experiences, got some beautiful grounds and opportunities to learn about winemaking.
• 1:21
  Mike Marrs: Its location also makes it easy to combine a winery visit with a trip down to Galvison Island.
• 1:26
  Mike Marrs: You can spend Saturday afternoon enjoying the vineyard and finish the evening with dinner along the Gulf Coast.
• 1:32
  Mike Marrs: Now that makes a pretty good weekend combination.
• 1:35
  Mike Marrs: Northwest of Houston, near Plantersville, Bernhardt Winery offers a little taste of the hill country without driving all the way to Fredericksburg.
• 1:44
  Mike Marrs: The 20-acre estate features rolling countryside, it's got some outdoor seating, guided wine tastings, and behind-the-scene tours of the winemaking facilities.
• 1:53
  Mike Marrs: Bernhardt is also known for its music events and relaxed atmosphere.
• 1:58
  Mike Marrs: Visitors could bring a picnic, you can enjoy the grounds, or arrange an overnight stay in one of the winery's bed and breakfast rooms.
• 2:05
  Mike Marrs: If your idea of a great weekend involves sitting outdoors with beautiful scenery and nowhere you absolutely have to be, this might just be your destination.
• 2:16
  Mike Marrs: Near Brynham, 36th North Vineyard offers a smaller, more personal wine country experience.
• 2:22
  Mike Marrs: It's set on a farmhouse style property along Highway 36.
• 2:26
  Mike Marrs: The vineyard emphasizes Texas wines and a welcoming country atmosphere.
• 2:30
  Mike Marrs: One of its interesting touches is the pairing of wines with homemade desserts.
• 2:34
  Mike Marrs: This gives the visitor something a little different from the traditional tasting room.
• 2:38
  Mike Marrs: Brenham itself is worth exploring with historic downtown streets, shops, and restaurants.
• 2:44
  Mike Marrs: Spend the afternoon at the vineyard, enjoy dinner in town, and you've got the makings of a relaxing overnight getaway without traveling halfway across Texas.
• 2:54
  Mike Marrs: Our next destination is one of the pioneers of Texas winemaking, Messina Hoff State Winery in Bryan.
• 3:01
  Mike Marrs: It began in 1977 and has grown into one of the state's best-known wineries.
• 3:06
  Mike Marrs: Unlike some smaller tasting rooms, Messina Hoff offers an entire weekend experience.
• 3:11
  Mike Marrs: Visitors can tour the vineyard, sample award-winning Texas wines, enjoy a meal at the vintage house restaurant, and even stay overnight at the Villa Bed and breakfast.
• 3:22
  Mike Marrs: Now the estate combines old-world winemaking traditions with Texas hospitality.
• 3:26
  Mike Marrs: For couples looking for a special weekend or celebrating an anniversary, this is certainly one worth considering.
• 3:33
  Mike Marrs: And finally, we're headed into the countryside near Huntsville to West Sandy Creek Winery in Richards.
• 3:40
  Mike Marrs: This destination is tucked away from the busy highways, offering visitors a chance to enjoy wine tastings and the quiet atmosphere of rural Texas.
• 3:48
  Mike Marrs: It's the kind of place where the drive is part of the experience with wooded countryside and small Texas communities along the way.
• 3:55
  Mike Marrs: For anyone wanting to get away from the traffic, the schedules, and the usual weekend routine, West Sandy Creek offers a different pace.
• 4:02
  Mike Marrs: Sometimes the best destination is simply somewhere where you can go slow down for a while.
• 4:08
  Mike Marrs: And there you have it.
• 4:09
  Mike Marrs: Six opportunities to discover Texas wine country without traveling all the way to Fredericksburg, whether it's an afternoon at the bayou or a vineyard overlooking the countryside, or an overnight stay with a little romance.
• 4:22
  Mike Marrs: There's more to Texas wine country than you might expect.
• 4:25
  Mike Marrs: Of course, you got to plan ahead.