When friends come to town and ask me where to go for a glass of wine, I don't hand them a list of fifty. I take them to the places I keep going back to myself. These are my three, and exactly why.
And before you ask what I'm drinking: if they pour a sparkling wine, that's my glass. If not, I order a Pinot Grigio.
Signor Vineyards: for the "wow" moment
Signor is where I take friends when I want them to gasp a little as we pull in. The 200-acre estate sits on a bluff where the Pedernales River meets Grape Creek, with manicured lawns, flower-lined paths, vines and a grand pavilion. Austin Monthly named it the most beautiful vineyard in Texas, and I agree.
What to order: Signor is known for hearty estate reds. If you like bold wine, try the Tannat (their Estate Tannat has won Platinum at TEXSOM). If you like something more Italian and food-friendly, go for the Sangiovese or Montepulciano. Tastings are seated and guided, with standard tastings starting around $25.
The pace: Slow. This is the stop where you sit on the lawn with a glass and nobody wants to leave.
Who it suits: Couples, anniversaries and anyone who loves a pretty setting and a big red.
Staying downtown? Don't miss Signor's in-town tasting room at 107 North Orange Street, just off Main. It's open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 3 to 8 PM and Friday and Saturday from 1 to 8 PM, which makes it my favorite spot for a glass before dinner.
Savannah's tip: Signor's tasting areas are 21+ and pet-free, and groups of six or more need approval ahead of time. Walk-ins are welcome, but on a weekend, book.
Kalasi Cellars: for the friend who has tried everything
Kalasi is a woman-led winery on a 16-acre working farm on Goehman Lane, just off Wine Road 290 and only minutes from downtown. Winemaker Nikhila Narra Davis and her husband, Greg, opened the tasting room in 2020, and every wine is estate-grown, including fruit from the family's 140-acre Narra Vineyards on the Texas High Plains.
What to order: These are some of the most interesting wines in town: Tannat, Sangiovese, Teroldego, Roussanne, Malvasia Bianca and the Kanchi blend. The menu has Indian-inspired bites you won't find anywhere else on the wine trail, like samosas and a Tikka Masala naan pizza.
The view and the pace: Grab an Adirondack chair under the old pecan trees and say hello to Dalai and Roger, the resident llamas. It's relaxed and unhurried.
Who it suits: Adventurous palates, foodies and anyone who says "I don't really like Texas wine." This is where they change their mind.
Savannah's tip: Groups over six can't sit at the bar at Kalasi, so bigger groups book a winery tour and tasting or a private tasting. On our tours, we take care of that for you. In the fall, watch for their Diwali Festival of Lights celebration.
Texas Wine Collective: for the group that can't agree
Texas Wine Collective on Highway 290 is where I take friends who all like something different. Brennan Vineyards, Lost Oak Winery and McPherson Cellars pour under one roof, along with Texas hard ciders like City Orchard's Lavender Royale.
What to order: Do a wine flight, and let the cider fan in your group do a cider flight. The Texas cheese and wine pairing is a fun add-on.
The view and the pace: It's a modern farm-style estate with lots of outdoor space, and the vibe is easygoing. The patio is dog-friendly.
Who it suits: Mixed groups, first-timers, cider people and anyone who wants to sample several Texas wineries in one stop.
Savannah's tip: Friday through Sunday, the Cork & Fork mobile kitchen is usually on site, which is perfect if someone skipped lunch.
How I'd pair them in one afternoon
All three are on our tour list, and they fit our 1 to 5 PM, three-stop afternoon beautifully. Here's the order I'd do them in:
- About 1:15 PM, Kalasi Cellars. Start close to town with something crisp and a bite to eat if you need it.
- About 2:30 PM, Texas Wine Collective. Head east on Highway 290 for a flight (or a cider) on the patio.
- About 3:45 PM, Signor Vineyards. Save the prettiest for last, and end the day with a big red on the lawn.
- Around 5 PM, home. Back at your door with your bottles riding in our cooler.
On a Private tour, you can choose these three as your stops. On the Classic tour, we pick three from the same list depending on the day, so you'll likely see at least one of them. Tastings are your choice: add the Tasting Pass for $89 per guest, or order a glass at each stop.
Curious about the rest? Our winery guide covers more than 80 wineries and tasting rooms. I hope you love these three as much as I do.
Savannah
Quick answers
What is the prettiest winery in Fredericksburg?
Signor Vineyards is my pick. Austin Monthly named it the most beautiful vineyard in Texas, with gardens, lawns and a grand pavilion on a bluff above the Pedernales River.
Which Fredericksburg winery is best for a group with different tastes?
Texas Wine Collective on Highway 290 pours several Texas wineries under one roof, plus Texas hard ciders, so everyone finds something they like.
Can I visit Signor, Kalasi and Texas Wine Collective on one tour?
Yes. All three are on our tour list. Choose them as your three stops on a Private tour, or join the Classic tour, where the stops rotate among wineries on the same list.
Make it easy on yourself
Pickup at your in-town lodging, every stop reserved, and a local driver-guide at the wheel. Rated 4.9★ from 299 Google reviews.
