more Fredericksburg, Texas

Another day . . . Another winery to visit but first we decided to get a super early start and head to Enchanted Rock State Park for a little hiking!  I have wanted to go here for a long time but it has never happened.  It is usually packed but it is August and super hot so not that crowded.  We arrived around 7:45am to no line and it was opened early!  

We paid the fee and set off to explore.  The big question was would we hike to the top or just around the base?

Ready to do this . . .

So as we got closer to the uphill climb my aunt decided we should go for it and go to the top so to the top we went!  

It was really nice outside which really helped.  It isn't a long hike to the top but it is straight up!  

The views were worth the effort . . . 

Back down we go just as the sun starts to become blazing hot.  We decided to do part of the loop trail around the base . . . this is a view of where we just went to the top . . .

. . . but some how ended up a bit back where we started since the trails are not very well marked . . . by this time we were ready to head back to the hotel to shower and change before heading out to see how many wineries we could visit in one day!

Barrons Creek Vineyard which was very crowded with a lot of tour bus groups.  My cousin wanted to do the grape stomp so we stayed for a bit for her to do that before heading out.

 

Then on to Fat Ass Ranch and Winery where we did our first tasting of the day.  I was most excited about this one as they do several fruity wines such as peach and prickly pear plus it was the least expenisve tasting at only $10 for six tastings and you get to keep your glass.  

Grape Creek Vineyard was a bit of a disappointment.  It was the most beautiful to enter as you drive through the vineyard which was so cool but in order to enter all guest must purchase and participate in a tasting.  Total bummer as we are responsible and one of us was the designated driver and not drinking; so much for being responsible!

Becker Vineyards was off the main road and crowded when we arrived.  We were most excited to see a food truck there and quickly headed for some food; pulled pork nachos (left) and avocado egg rolls (right) . . . both were so yummy!

The tasting area was super crowded so we walked around a bit . . . 

. . . and decided to move on to next place.

Signor Vineyards was not on our list but we liked the old truck pointing the way . . . 

. . . so we stopped.  I must say it was beautiful and we were all excited to see what they had inside . . .

It was a bit crowded but they were very accomodating for us to do a tasting if we would stand at the bar.  So we stood . . . the employees were so kind and funny!  We were able to share the tasting which meant we were able to taste all 8 of the wines and would get our last sample of the one we liked the most.  I really liked this option!  

I will however say that the wine seemed very strong and by the time we finished I had eaten about 5 million oyster crackers and was feeling a bit tipsy!  So we went outside and walked around and acted silly . . . thankfully the grapes can't talk . . . 

My aunt decided that should be our last tasting of the day and we agreed.  My cousin wanted to go to Lukenbach, Texas (secretly I did too) so we went there to see if Willie Nelson happened to be in town . . . he wasn't but I can officially check that off my Texas Bucket List!

On our way back home, we detoured to Gruene, Texas; popped into Gruene Hall and had lunch at the Gristmill River Restaurant . . .

 

. . . it was good and can't wait to go back!