Whether you’re a connoisseur or just discovering the world of wine, you’ll find plenty to toast in New Braunfels.

This historic Texas town is home to vineyards, wineries, and inspired wine-tasting venues, giving you plenty of one-of-a-kind options for experiencing wine produced locally, across Texas and around the world. Enjoy a tasting in a scenic vineyard, share a locally produced bottle while you listen to live music or even make and bottle your own batch.

Here’s a look at five ways to explore the world of wine in New Braunfels.

Visit a vineyard

Located just outside the city, Dry Comal Creek Vineyards is passionate about producing Texas wine. The vineyard sources fruit from the state’s best grape growers to create 100% Texas wine from 100% Texas grapes, including those grown on-site on more than five acres of vineyards. Reserve a spot for a tasting and sample a flight of five Dry Comal Creek wines served by knowledgeable “libation ambassadors.” Or relax with a glass in the scenic, shaded outdoor lounge nestled among the oak trees and vineyards (it’s a great spot for photos!). The vineyard regularly hosts special events, from cooking classes to food trucks and live music on the weekends, providing plenty of options to enjoy wine among the vines.

Become a winemaker

Water 2 Wine is a fully-operating, award-winning winery that blends, oaks, ferments and bottles its wines in its 2,000-square-foot cellar using grapes sourced from vineyards around the world. The result is an outstanding collection of old and new world wines, crafted here in New Braunfels by an expert winemaker and available by the glass, the bottle or in a tasting. The winery also offers the memorable experience of crafting your own wine, whether to commemorate a special occasion or to try your hand at winemaking. After a tasting to determine the taste and style you want, grapes are selected and the juice is blended and cellared for six to eight weeks. As it ferments, you’ll design your own custom wine label. The process ends with a corking party, when you bottle and label your wine.

Taste locally-produced wine

Perched near the Guadalupe River in the Gruene Historic District, Winery on the Gruene is a small, award-winning boutique winery that offers a unique wine experience: the winemakers here source their grapes from all around the world, then blend, ferment, age and bottle all of their wines on the premises. Winery on the Gruene offers more than 30 different wines produced inhouse, including a selection of refreshing fruit-infused wines. Stop by for a tasting or to enjoy wine by the glass or bottle, relaxing either in the tasting room or the outside garden. You can also make your own wine (by appointment only). Select your choice of grapes, then leave the juice in the capable hands of the winemakers, where your custom blend will be ready in 4 to 6 weeks.

Sample Texas wines

Texas has burst onto the winemaking scene, boasting an impressive number of wineries and vineyards producing notable wines. One place to sample a wide selection of them is The Grapevine, located in the Gruene Historic District, just down the street from Texas’ oldest dance hall, Gruene Hall. The Grapevine offers one of the largest selections of Texas wines around, featuring more than 25 Texas wineries along with a selection of old and new world wines. Grab a spot in the shaded wine garden or settle in on the comfortable front patio and relax with a glass in hand as live music plays. Be sure to check out The Grapevine’s selection of wine-themed gifts and souvenirs, from the clever to the kitschy.

Pair wine with amazing cuisine

New Braunfels offers plenty of options for pairing your choice of wine with top-rated, chef prepared food. The Gruene Door is an upscale yet casual American restaurant with a scratch kitchen and more than 60 choices on its wine list. Huisache Grill prides itself on its extensive wine collection, with wines from around the world to accompany its creative, regionally-inspired cuisine. Or immerse yourself in New Braunfels’ German heritage with Bavarian-inspired cuisine at Alpine Haus, offering a fine-dining experience with a selection of expertly chosen German, international and domestic wines. However, you enjoy the wine experience #InNewBraunfels, it’s best paired with great food, excellent accommodations, and plenty of fun activities. Discover a variety of options and plan an adventure to savor at https://www.playinnewbraunfels.com/

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