Good barbecue's not all they do in Texas' Hill Country

From USA Today, October 2, 2008...

Prohibition nearly wiped out Texas's wine industry, but it re-emerged in the 1970s and now embraces 163 wineries in four regions. The prime sectors, because of their climate and proximity to Austin, are the Texas Hill Country American Viticultural Area and, within that, the 110-square-mile AVA of Fredericksburg. About 30 wineries are located within them, as are many of the state's best BBQ joints. Mediterranean grapes such as Pinot Grigio, Viognier, Tempranillo and Syrah grow well here.

Since its founding in 1992, Becker Vineyards in Stonewall (beckervineyards.com) has grown to embrace a tasting room with a stone fireplace and a 19th-century bar; a B&B; lavender fields; and a reception hall. Pioneering Fall Creek Vineyards in Tow (fcv.com), dating to 1975, is close to scenic Lake Buchanan and Fall Creek's 90-foot waterfalls. The tasting room at Lost Creek Vineyard in Sunrise Beach (lostcreekvineyard.com) was destroyed by flooding last year, but a new version opened this summer, and the adjoining Tree House Bistro makes its debut this month.

Read more...