Roadtrip | Fredericksburg, TX

A few weeks ago Will and I took a drive and spent a glorious Sunday in Fredericksburg.  This coincided with the blog challenge so I didn't want to clog up my feed with pictures and stories of the day, but now seems like the perfect time to share.

Fredericksburg is another one of those small, picturesque German towns located just outside of Austin that makes for a perfect roadtrip or spontaneous weekend getaway.  Main St is lined with historic buildings that are now home to elaborate bed and breakfasts on the top levels; and all manner of stores, bars and restaurants on the levels below.  Some of these shops are an exciting, eclectic collection of new and old where you could purchase crystal clusters and Marc Jacobs sunglasses or homemade fudge and a second-hand cowhide rug!  Unlike other towns throughout Texas, Fredericksburg is alive and bustling on a Sunday; with its shops staying open as late as 7pm and bars well into the hours of Monday morning.

What sets Fredericksburg apart however, is the wine!  Known as Texas wine country, the freeway into town is lined on either side with wineries and vineyards - each competing for your notice and patronage.  Most of these wineries sell their wine all throughout Texas, but while they taste great sipped in their natural habitat - fresh from the cellar, overlooking the vineyard that birthed them and the owner singing their praise - Fredericksburg-made wine is not my first choice!  This was proven after Will and I popped open a bottle, that we brought home from the trip, with dinner one night and almost chocked! LOL.  Maybe we simply chose the wrong wine, but I have since heard from two different professionals in the industry that the hot Texas climate isn't conducive to growing wine-worthy grapes.  Sure they'll grow in all that rich soil and abundance of sunlight: yet the taste doesn't seem to matter nor does it turn people off buying the wine!  When in Rome, right?  (And when in Fredericksburg!)

If you're not into touring wineries and sipping blends what's wrong with you? Fredericksburg has plenty of other charms!  In spring, the wildflower farm is at its most magnificent and all year long there are festivals, history tours, horse-drawn carriage rides, markets, museums, shopping, dining, music and the Texas Hill Country Trails to enjoy.  I'm looking forward to visiting again in November for the Christmas lights tour and carols by candlelight!

Lantana is strictly banned in Australia because it's
completely taken over the wild flora there!