Think of dining destinations - New Orleans, Napa Valley and Fredericksburg Texas. Yep, that’s right Fredericksburg, located in the Texas Hill Country, renown for its innovated chefs and wine.
Fredericksburg, founded by Germans in the 19th century is nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country renown for its award winning wines and foods. Wine tours are a major draw to the area.
“ The Texas Hill Country Viticultural area is the second largest wine producing area in the United States,” said Fredericksburg Convention & visitor Bureau Director Ernie Loeffler noting Gillespie County now boosts 21 wineries, each with tasting rooms and many offering gourmet food. “ Our wineries along with local food purveyors are featured every October during the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest.”
The Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest draws thousands to its martplatz (town square). Here festival goers sample wines and local food while having the option of taking in a complimentary cooking class from one of the city’s most celebrated chefs as Cabernet Grill’s chef/owner Ross Burtwell. Chef Burtwell features one of the largest selections of Texas wines in the state. At last count there were over 75 different wine selections that can be paired with one of Chef Bourtwell’s menu items.
“Many customers walk away with a new perspective of Texas wine,” reported Burtwell as he explained the diversity of the wines produced throughout Texas. “ We have award winning cabs, zins, chards, Rieslings and tempranillo – all at your fingertips.”
The Cabernet Grill is located in the Cotton Gin Village, a collection of seven authentic 19th century log cabins that was been given the five-star treatment and offered to guests as an elegant yet rustic B&B experience. Each cabin has a great front porch – a perfect place to kick back and enjoy a local bottle of wine, which is no hard task to find considering there are ten different wineries, including the award winning Becker Vineyards, Grape Creek and Torre di Pietra within a fifteen-minute drive from the Cotton Gin Village.
“ These wineries are located along U.S. Highway 290, called the Fredericksburg Wine Road,” said Loeffler. “ Besides the wines you’ll be able to take in the panoramic views of the Hill Country, that’s breathtaking anytime of year.”
To learn more about Texas wines click on www.wineroad290.com or www.gotexanwine.org, and follow the links to the Hill Country wineries. Gourmands and wine enthusiasts should also consider making plans and reservations now for this year’s Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest.
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