The famous duo of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans said farewell to us every week with their song, “Happy Trails to You”. This song, written by Foy Willing and adapted by Dale Evans, has become the manner of saying farewell with all the best wishes by people all over the world. It is symbolic of leaving and wishing others a happy journey.
Trails can lead us to new destinations, new adventures. And even though sometimes saying goodbye can be sad, trails can provide exciting experiences and the opportunity to return again and again.
Texas boasts of 11 wine trails scattered all across the state. These trails draw thousands of visitors each year to Texas wineries to sample Texas wines and food. The trail members host festivals and special events while creating multiple-location routes for every visitor. Most wine trails offer a one price package which includes discounts, special amenities, and even limousine service. Let’s look at a few of the trails.
The Dallas Town and Country Wine Trail www.dallastownandcountrywinetrail.com) is one of the largest wine trails in North Texas. Winery members include: Caudalie Crest, Collins Oaks Winery, Cross Roads Winery, Eden Hill Winery, Landon Winery, and Lone Star Wine Cellars.
The Cross Timbers Wine Trail (www.crosstimberswinetrail.com) encompasses about 26,000 square miles of North and Central Texas. Member wineries offer Murder Mystery Trails each spring and fall and open trail events. Winery members include: Sunset Winery, Lost Oak Winery, Times Ten Cellars (Fort Worth), Lightcatcher Winery & Bistro, La Buena Vida Vineyards (Springtown), and Brushy Creek Vineyards.
The Dallas Wine Trail (www.dallaswinetrail.com) includes four wineries inside of the Dallas city limits: Calais Winery, Fuqua Winery, Inwood Estates Vineyards, and Times Ten Cellars. Their upcoming wine trail on April 13, 2013 offers advance tickets only with wine and food at all four stops
Fredericksburg, TX offers visitors a chance to enjoy 12 wineries on the Wine Road 290 Wine Trail (www.wineroad290.com). The City of Fredericksburg has been featured in almost every travel magazine that exists because the area has become a must vacation destination. The wineries in this trail capitalize on the popularity of the area to help promote their numerous events throughout the year. This area, along with the Texas Hill Country, requires advance planning due to the huge crowds of visitors. Don’t get caught without a hotel room!
Speaking of the Hill Country, the Texas Hill Country Wine Trail (www.texaswinetrail.com) has the largest membership of any Texas Wine Trail. Thirty-two wineries located west of Austin and all along the roads going toward Fredericksburg have an extensive trail calendar. The large number of bed and breakfast locations close to the wineries makes this wine trail very popular to locals and visitors year round.
The San Gabriel Wine Trail (www.sangabrielwinetrail.com) hosts two-day trails at the six wineries who are members. Visitors can take their time at each winery, enjoy the local community, and take advantage of a great weekend trip. The trail is located in and around Georgetown, Salado and Austin. Member wineries include: Georgetown Winery & Vineyard, Grape Creek Vineyards, Salado Creek Winery & Vineyard, Dancing Bee Winery, Rising Star Vineyards, and Lakeview Winery.
The Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail (www.texasbluebonnetwinetrail.com) is located between Interstate 45 and Highway 290 and offer visitors wine, food, grape stomping, mystery dinners, and vineyard tours. Member wineries include: Bernhardt Winery, Cork This! Winery, Messina Hof Winery & Resort, Pleasant Hill Winery, Retreat Hill Winery & Vineyard, Retreat Hill Cellars, Saddlehorn Winery, Texas Star Winery, Windy Winery, and Peach Creek Winery.
The Way Out Wineries (www.wayoutwineries.org) is a group of 11 boutique wineries that are in the middle of Texas…south of the DFW Metroplex, north of the Texas Hill Country. Their “road trips” provide special events for anyone traveling through the area. Their website highlights key areas along the road to enhance the trip.
The Piney Woods Wine Trail (www.pineywoodswinetrail.com) has 17 member wineries that are scattered all around East and Southeast Texas. Because the trail area is so large, the wineries have developed specific routes and stops that can be accomplished in one day. The Northeast Wine Road is 88 miles and includes four wineries with dinner at the last stop. The Central Wine Road is 31 miles and centered in Tyler. The Southwest Wine Road (97 miles) and Northwest Wine Road (95 miles) offer suggestions for an overnight trip.
As Spring approaches, exploring the State of Texas and enjoying the fruits of Texas grape growers’ labor will definitely bring any visitor good times and happy trails.
The post “Happy Trails to You…The Wine Trails of Texas” appeared first on Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association.
Source: Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association