wine tasting Archives - Plan to Explore https://plantoexplore.com/tag/wine-tasting/ Your Resource for Easy Travel Tips Fri, 28 Mar 2025 16:57:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://plantoexplore.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cropped-P-1-32x32.png wine tasting Archives - Plan to Explore https://plantoexplore.com/tag/wine-tasting/ 32 32 Popular Wineries in Dripping Springs You’ll Want to Visit [Updated 2025] https://plantoexplore.com/wineries-in-dripping-springs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wineries-in-dripping-springs https://plantoexplore.com/wineries-in-dripping-springs/#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2020 20:55:57 +0000 https://plantoexplore.com/?p=1960 The Texas Hill Country is best known for the many wineries stretching for miles along Highway 290 in Fredericksburg, but did you know there are amazing wineries in the town of Dripping Springs? Closer to Austin for easier access, this is a great location to consider for your hill country wine experience. Dripping Springs wineries offer more of a laid back, “hang out for a while” vibe which I really love.  If you are planning a trip to Dripping and love wine, or are traveling with someone who does, read on for the rundown on five of my favorite locations. Make sure you stick around for my winery pro tips at the bottom!  Where is Dripping Springs? Dripping Springs is located in the Texas Hill Country, about 30 minutes outside of Austin. Wineries start in Dripping and continue all the way into Fredericksburg (about 45 minutes away). Also about one hour north of San Antonio, and 4 hours south of Dallas for some perspective.  Three of the Dripping Springs wineries mentioned below are located off Bell Springs Road, one off of Fitzhugh, and another off the beaten path on McGregor.  When to visit Dripping Springs Dripping is really a great place to visit for most months of the year. If you want ideal weather for Dripping Springs wineries, I would visit in the Spring or the Fall. Summer temps really start to rise in late June – August. Most wineries offer tastings indoors, but I think part of the fun is enjoying a glass outdoors with views of the rolling hills.  Where to Stay in Dripping Springs Did you know that Dripping is also a top wedding location in Texas? The good news – that means lots of fun local accommodations in the area. I love finding unique stays, even in my own backyard. Below are a few other awesome options for you to check out and book!  Hill Country Casitas – A little bit off the beaten path, but offering a private retreat-like feel, these casitas are a fun option. Each casita offers an outdoor patio and hill country views. At least click to take a look at these little cottages! Quintessential Hill Country!  Lucky Arrow Retreat – This is such a unique place to stay in Dripping! Perched on a hilltop next to Bell Springs Winery/Brewery, the location is great. They offer upscale cabins and yurts, and amenities include a pool and an event space.  Click here or below to browse accommodations in Dripping!  Dripping Springs Wineries Hawk Shadow Estate Winery About: Hawk Shadow has the best Dripping  Springs wines hands down (according to my taste). I booked a cellar tour there and tasted both whites and reds, and all grapes are grown here in Central Texas or in the Texas High Plains. There was not a single wine that I was disappointed with. Oh and let me tell you about that cellar tour! Climb down a spiral staircase into a European style cool wine cellar with barrels lining both sides. I felt like I was transported back to Europe.  Tip: They are only “open” on Saturdays,  but you can call and request a tasting other days of the week.  Food: They have a cheese plate available.  Location: 7500 McGregor Ln, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Website for more details Love working from a coffee shop, or when you are traveling? A VPN conceals your IP address so hackers cannot access any of your data. I use it in airports, at coffee shops, and even if I want to access a website I’m not sure about!   I highly recommend Surfshark VPN!  Graveyard Vineyards About: All the way from Paso Robles in California, this winery doesn’t grow their grapes on-site, but they do offer some really delicious wine choices that are different from Texas. I have been impressed with their wines the multiple times I have visited. They moved their tasting room in 2025 to a building adjacent to Bell Springs Winery. Tastings, wines by the glass, and bottle are available. They share a lovely outdoor space with Bell Springs that is kid and dog friendly (although the tasting room is not kid friendly).  TIP: Even though they are not “Texas wines” I really think this is a great addition to your tour. It’s nice to switch up the grape varietals and taste something different! All of the staff are super friendly and love to answer your wine questions.  Food: Regular food truck onsite for both wineries. Sometimes there are events with food, so check out their calendar ahead of time.  Location: 3700 Bell Springs Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Website for more details Bell Springs Winery & Brewery About: Wait a minute – a two for one location?? That’s right, Bell Springs has long been a winery in Dripping, but added brewing beer in 2019. They tasting room has a section for wine as well as one for beer. With two covered porches and a good amount of outdoor seating, this is an ideal location to lounge outside. Very dog and kid-friendly!  TIP: This is one of the most laid back wineries in the Hill Country. So if you like wine (and beer) in a relaxed atmosphere this is the place for you. Sunday is a perfect day here, Friday and Saturday can get busy with winery bus tours.  Food: There is a food truck on-site outside. This would be an ideal location to schedule a tasting around lunchtime so you can also grab food.  Location: 3700 Bell Springs Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Website for more details Parmeson Wines About: This is a tasting room for wines that are grown and produced in Sonoma, California. Delicious quality wines and Pinot Noir, but a little on the expensive side compared to other Dripping Springs wineries. I like this as a quick stop for a tasting, especially if you’re working your way down Bell Springs Road.  Tip: This winery is located on Bell Springs but can be a little hard to find. It’s located down the same drive as the business Carved Stone.    Location: 5300 Bell Springs Rd Unit B, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Website for more details Solaro Winery About: Solaro has been a mainstay in Dripping Springs wineries for years. Focusing on Italian varietals (which grow well in Texas), you’ll be transported to Italy with their tasting. A patio with a pergola and view of the vines greets you as you walk up and into their beautiful but small tasting room.  Tip: Solaro is close to a lot of the breweries and distilleries along Fitzhugh Road so this could be part of a winery tour or even a Dripping Springs drink tour. (If you can handle it, haha). Making a tasting reservation is recommended. Location: 13111 Silver Creek Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Website for more details Want more Dripping info? Click to read my full Insider’s Travel Guide to Dripping Springs! Dripping Springs Wineries – Pro Tips Don’t forget to bring some winery essentials with you! I always make sure to keep a wine chiller in a cooler, a wine opener for those to-go bottles, water, and snacks for between stops. You’ll be the hero of the group – for real!   Consider hiring a driver or asking a friend (or boyfriend/husband) to be a designated driver. I have not personally used them but Slowpokes Wine Tours has pretty good reviews and are local.  We are outside the city in the Hill Country, and there can be bugs. I suggest closed-toe shoes especially if red ants tend to like you. Also, bug spray your ankles to be safe especially in late spring and summer. In summer sunscreen is essential. Have you been to any of these Dripping Springs wineries, or are they on your list? Let me know your favorite in the comments! Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. We really, really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you!

The post Popular Wineries in Dripping Springs You’ll Want to Visit [Updated 2025] appeared first on Plan to Explore.

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The Texas Hill Country is best known for the many wineries stretching for miles along Highway 290 in Fredericksburg, but did you know there are amazing wineries in the town of Dripping Springs? Closer to Austin for easier access, this is a great location to consider for your hill country wine experience. Dripping Springs wineries offer more of a laid back, “hang out for a while” vibe which I really love. 

If you are planning a trip to Dripping and love wine, or are traveling with someone who does, read on for the rundown on five of my favorite locations. Make sure you stick around for my winery pro tips at the bottom! 

Where is Dripping Springs?

Dripping Springs is located in the Texas Hill Country, about 30 minutes outside of Austin. Wineries start in Dripping and continue all the way into Fredericksburg (about 45 minutes away). Also about one hour north of San Antonio, and 4 hours south of Dallas for some perspective. 

Three of the Dripping Springs wineries mentioned below are located off Bell Springs Road, one off of Fitzhugh, and another off the beaten path on McGregor. 

Dripping Springs Outdoors

When to visit Dripping Springs

Dripping is really a great place to visit for most months of the year. If you want ideal weather for Dripping Springs wineries, I would visit in the Spring or the Fall. Summer temps really start to rise in late June – August. Most wineries offer tastings indoors, but I think part of the fun is enjoying a glass outdoors with views of the rolling hills. 

Where to Stay in Dripping Springs

Did you know that Dripping is also a top wedding location in Texas? The good news – that means lots of fun local accommodations in the area. I love finding unique stays, even in my own backyard. Below are a few other awesome options for you to check out and book! 

Hill Country Casitas – A little bit off the beaten path, but offering a private retreat-like feel, these casitas are a fun option. Each casita offers an outdoor patio and hill country views. At least click to take a look at these little cottages! Quintessential Hill Country! 

Lucky Arrow Retreat – This is such a unique place to stay in Dripping! Perched on a hilltop next to Bell Springs Winery/Brewery, the location is great. They offer upscale cabins and yurts, and amenities include a pool and an event space. 

Click here or below to browse accommodations in Dripping! 

Dripping Springs Wineries

Hawk Shadow Estate Winery

About: Hawk Shadow has the best Dripping  Springs wines hands down (according to my taste). I booked a cellar tour there and tasted both whites and reds, and all grapes are grown here in Central Texas or in the Texas High Plains. There was not a single wine that I was disappointed with. Oh and let me tell you about that cellar tour! Climb down a spiral staircase into a European style cool wine cellar with barrels lining both sides. I felt like I was transported back to Europe. 

Tip: They are only “open” on Saturdays,  but you can call and request a tasting other days of the week. 

Food: They have a cheese plate available. 

Location: 7500 McGregor Ln, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Website for more details

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Graveyard Vineyards

About: All the way from Paso Robles in California, this winery doesn’t grow their grapes on-site, but they do offer some really delicious wine choices that are different from Texas. I have been impressed with their wines the multiple times I have visited. They moved their tasting room in 2025 to a building adjacent to Bell Springs Winery. Tastings, wines by the glass, and bottle are available. They share a lovely outdoor space with Bell Springs that is kid and dog friendly (although the tasting room is not kid friendly). 

TIP: Even though they are not “Texas wines” I really think this is a great addition to your tour. It’s nice to switch up the grape varietals and taste something different! All of the staff are super friendly and love to answer your wine questions. 

Food: Regular food truck onsite for both wineries. Sometimes there are events with food, so check out their calendar ahead of time. 

Location: 3700 Bell Springs Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Website for more details

Bell Springs Winery & Brewery

Bell Springs Winery Dripping Springs, Plan to Explore

About: Wait a minute – a two for one location?? That’s right, Bell Springs has long been a winery in Dripping, but added brewing beer in 2019. They tasting room has a section for wine as well as one for beer. With two covered porches and a good amount of outdoor seating, this is an ideal location to lounge outside. Very dog and kid-friendly! 

TIP: This is one of the most laid back wineries in the Hill Country. So if you like wine (and beer) in a relaxed atmosphere this is the place for you. Sunday is a perfect day here, Friday and Saturday can get busy with winery bus tours. 

Food: There is a food truck on-site outside. This would be an ideal location to schedule a tasting around lunchtime so you can also grab food. 

Location: 3700 Bell Springs Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Website for more details

Parmeson Wines

About: This is a tasting room for wines that are grown and produced in Sonoma, California. Delicious quality wines and Pinot Noir, but a little on the expensive side compared to other Dripping Springs wineries. I like this as a quick stop for a tasting, especially if you’re working your way down Bell Springs Road. 

Tip: This winery is located on Bell Springs but can be a little hard to find. It’s located down the same drive as the business Carved Stone.   

Location: 5300 Bell Springs Rd Unit B, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Website for more details

Solaro Winery

Solaro Winery, Plan to Explore

About: Solaro has been a mainstay in Dripping Springs wineries for years. Focusing on Italian varietals (which grow well in Texas), you’ll be transported to Italy with their tasting. A patio with a pergola and view of the vines greets you as you walk up and into their beautiful but small tasting room. 

Tip: Solaro is close to a lot of the breweries and distilleries along Fitzhugh Road so this could be part of a winery tour or even a Dripping Springs drink tour. (If you can handle it, haha). Making a tasting reservation is recommended.

Location: 13111 Silver Creek Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Website for more details

Want more Dripping info? Click to read my full Insider's Travel Guide to Dripping Springs!

Dripping Springs Wineries - Pro Tips

  • Don’t forget to bring some winery essentials with you! I always make sure to keep a wine chiller in a cooler, a wine opener for those to-go bottles, water, and snacks for between stops. You’ll be the hero of the group – for real!  
  • Consider hiring a driver or asking a friend (or boyfriend/husband) to be a designated driver. I have not personally used them but Slowpokes Wine Tours has pretty good reviews and are local. 
  • We are outside the city in the Hill Country, and there can be bugs. I suggest closed-toe shoes especially if red ants tend to like you. Also, bug spray your ankles to be safe especially in late spring and summer. In summer sunscreen is essential.

Have you been to any of these Dripping Springs wineries, or are they on your list? Let me know your favorite in the comments!

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. We really, really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you!

The post Popular Wineries in Dripping Springs You’ll Want to Visit [Updated 2025] appeared first on Plan to Explore.

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