For all those who never thought of Texas as a wine country will be in for a surprise upon undertaking Texas wine tour. A wine tour to Texas will help you to see the cowboy country in a new light.

You would be amazed to know that wine and grape industry of Texas ranks fifth in the United States. The annual wine production of the state amounts to over 2 million gallons and as of 2009, Texas boasted of some 181 wineries.

In fact Texas is one of the oldest wine growing states in U.S. and wine production dates back to 1650 when Spanish missionaries produced some of the first wines in the states.

Texas produces some good quality red and white wines which you will get to taste during the course of the tour. Some of the wines which are produced in Texas are Pinot Noir, Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, Lenoir, Chardonnay, Blanc du Bois, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, etc.

A tour to the Texas wine regions is a good option for those who are wine connoisseurs and are looking forward to doing something different in their vacation time.

There are numerous wine tour options in Texas and many of them start in Austin itself. So you can combine your trip to Austin with a tour of a nearby wine region.

Texas Wine Tour

North Texas Hill Country Wine Tour

For touring this region you need to set aside at least a whole day. The tour will enable you to visit wineries located in the northwest of Austin. The region falls between Lake Buchanan and Johnson City. The trip to this region will not only enable you to see wine making at close quarters but the natural beauty of the place will also help you to relax as you enjoy the scenic surroundings.

South Texas Hill Country Wine Tour

Touring this region will also take you an entire day. The tour to the wineries and vineyards of this region will be a memorable experience for you. While watching the wine making you will also get a chance to sip on some of the best wines produced there.  Some of the wineries and vineyards that you will visit during this tour are Fredericksburg Winery, Grape Creek Vineyard, and Texas Hills Vineyards.

Historic Gruene Texas plus 2 wineries

On this tour, you will get to visit wineries in the Texas Hill Country with a stopover at Gruene Texas. The trip will not only provide you a glimpse into the wine making procedures but will also enable you to go sightseeing, shopping and indulging yourself by gorging on some of the local delicacies. The trip to wineries will help you to enrich your knowledge and the visit to Gruene will provide an ideal break from wine tasting.

Luckenbach and Wineries Tour

The tour will begin with a trip to Luckenbach. The place was established in 1849 as a Trading Post and today, is one of the oldest settlements around in Texas. A trip to this tiny hamlet will take you away from the hustle bustle of city life and transport you back into time. After the trip to Luckenbach you will be visiting the wineries and vineyards. Some of the vineyards you will get to visit will be the Texas Hills Vineyards, Sister Creek Vineyards and Becker Vineyards.

So this vacation get ready to explore the secrets of wine making as you embark on Texas wine tour. 

Image credit: hcwinetours.com, winetoursoftexas.com