There are a few ways to do Fredericksburg wineries: drive yourself, ride a hop-on shuttle, hire a driver by the hour or book a hosted tour. I'm obviously a little biased, so here's an honest look at each, with real numbers.
Driving yourself
It's the cheapest ride, but someone isn't drinking, and you're booking every reservation, finding parking and watching the clock. Highway 290 is busy on weekends, with visitors slowing down and turning into winery driveways all afternoon. Driving yourself works best for couples visiting one or two wineries with a true designated driver.
Hop-on shuttles
Shuttles are a budget-friendly ride along Highway 290. You choose where to hop off, but you're also managing your own tastings, waiting for the next pickup and sharing the ride with whoever is on board.
A driver by the hour
Our Transportation Only option gives you a driver and a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: $165 an hour Sunday through Thursday and $185 on Fridays and Saturdays, with a 5-hour minimum ($825 or $925). You plan the day and make your own reservations (we're happy to help if you ask). It's great for long custom days, dinner runs and airport transfers, which are $450 one way to San Antonio and $550 to Austin. No planning, snacks or tastings are included.
A hosted tour
With Absolute Charm, your driver-guide picks you up at your in-town lodging, every reservation is made, your tastings are ready when you arrive and there's cold water, snacks and a cooler for your bottles. Your guide also knows the wineries, the history and where to eat dinner afterward.
Do the math
A couple on a Saturday: Two seats on the Classic tour (1 to 5 PM, three wineries) are $230. Add the Tasting Pass ($89 each) if you want every tasting reserved and prepaid, or just order a glass at each stop. Standard tastings run about $20 to $35 per person per winery if you pay as you go, so the Pass works out about the same and saves the hassle.
A group of eight on a Saturday: A Private tour is $1,095 for the van, about $137 each, with the planning, the reservations and a driver-guide included. Transportation Only for the same group starts at $925 for five hours, about $116 each, but you plan and book everything yourself. For most groups who want a wine day without homework, private is the better value.
Prices are before sales tax, a small booking fee and gratuity. Gratuity is always appreciated and never automatic.
My honest take
If it's two of you and one is happy to drive, go for it, and use our winery guide to plan. If anyone in your group wants to fully enjoy the day, or you'd rather not spend your vacation booking reservations, let us drive. Once you add up a ride, the reservations and nobody being stuck as the designated driver, a hosted tour is often closer in price than people expect, and the day is a lot easier.
Savannah
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive yourself to Fredericksburg wineries?
Only with a true designated driver. Highway 290 is busy on weekends with visitors turning in and out of winery driveways, and three stops adds up to several glasses of wine.
What's the difference between a Private tour and Transportation Only?
Both give your group a Sprinter and a driver. A Private tour ($850 Sunday through Thursday) includes planning, reservations at three wineries, water and snacks. Transportation Only is $165 an hour Sunday through Thursday with a 5-hour minimum, and you plan the day yourself.
Do I need winery reservations if I hire a driver?
Yes. With Transportation Only, you make your own winery reservations, and we're happy to help if you ask. On a Classic or Private tour, we reserve every stop for you.
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.
