The West Texas Hidden Wine Route
There is a hidden wine route in West Texas mostly unknown to the rest of Texas… until now.
Most people think of Fredericksburg and The Hill County or something along the 290 Highway wine trail of Texas when anyone talks about wine in this state. I was one of them myself. But now after almost 3 years as a Texas resident, I have come to find there is another spectacular wine route every Texas wine lover needs to make. In fact, I made it a challenge of sorts for all Texans to try and hit all 5 wine stops (plus 2 epic food stops) from June 1 to August 30th this summer. Manage to hit all 7 and be rewarded for your efforts.
Starting and ending in San Angelo, this route takes 4 hours to complete nonstop and covers 235 miles. It is possible to complete in 1 full day if you left at 11am and started with the nearest stop just 25 minutes from downtown San Angelo, you would arrive at Christoval Vineyards right about when they open at 1130am Thursday to Sunday. Knowing this, it is best to plan this route on one of those 3 days to assure you can hit all of the stops on those days and times they are open.
From there, you are off to Mason Texas, a 90-minute drive from Christoval for a magnificent 3-in-1 winery stop. My wife and I have come to love and look forward to trying these makers’ wines at any events they show up at around West Texas. Parr Vineyards, Fly Gap Winery, and Peters Prairie Vineyards are all here within walking distance of one another. Pace yourself here folks, 3 wineries in 1 place, even when doing only a tasting adds up. You still have 1 more wine stop to make yet remember.
The final wine stop takes you 23 miles north to The Wines of Dotson Cervantez in Voca, Texas. Owners Martha and Alphonse are amazing people with a story that will blow you away when you hear it. How they got into wine is quite unique, I am just glad they did because it’s delicious!
So now the wine is done yes, very sad I know. But guess what?.. you are not completely done yet! I said there are 7 stops on the hidden route and there are. Now it’s time to put some food in your stomach on the return trip home. The final 2 stops are all about unforgettable grubs and you won’t be disappointed with either of them nor will you find food quite like this any place else.
Head 14 miles NE to Brady Texas and stop right off the main drag to hit up MACs Bar-B-Que. This little old place is purely West Texas rustic. An old-school-style tavern-like BBQ joint. They consistently make good Q across the board on their whole menu, the sides and desserts included. The service is great and the prices are fair. You cannot pass through Brady and not stop here for some Q be it dine-in or order to go.
Finally, as you make your way back to San Angelo, you pass through Eden Texas. A small little town that takes all but 2 minutes to drive through. But make darn sure to stop here to get some of the best venison meat you will find in the area. Venison World is the spot. You name it, if it comes from venison, they have it. They also carry bison and elk now as well! In business since 1992, people love this place, myself being one of those people. Be aware that this place closes at 7pm every day so this may need to be a separate stop this summer to get in before close if your passing through after the other stops on this list.
The official guidelines for The West Texas Hidden Wine Route are found right here. Read them carefully and look at the list of stops and the map included in the guide. At the end of summer (August 30th) all those who completed all 7 stops (via the confirmation step), will be entered into a random raffle drawing to win a gift card worth $100 to any one of the 5 wine stops on this route.
Originally published at https://original.newsbreak.com.
