My Favorite Fredericksburg Wineries to Take Friends

When friends come to town and ask me where to go for a glass of wine, I do not hand them a list of fifty. I take them to the places I keep going back to myself. These are my three.

And before you ask what I am drinking: if they pour a sparkling wine, that is my glass. If not, I order a Pinot Grigio.

Signor Vineyards

Signor is where I take friends when I want them to say "wow" as we pull in. The 200-acre estate sits on the Highway 290 Wine Trail, with manicured lawns, gardens and a grand tasting house. Austin Monthly named it the most beautiful vineyard in Texas, and I agree. The wines lean toward hearty reds and crisp whites made from Texas and Oregon fruit.

If you are staying downtown, don't miss Signor's tasting room in town at 107 N Orange St, just off Main. It is open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 3 to 8 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 1 to 8 PM, so it is my favorite spot for a glass before dinner.

Savannah's tip: Signor's tastings are 21+ and pet-free unless you are a club member, and groups of six or more need approval ahead of time. Walk-ins are welcome, but on a weekend, book.

Kalasi Cellars

Kalasi is a woman-led winery on more than 16 acres just outside downtown, so it is an easy stop even on a short trip. Winemaker Nikhila Narra Davis and her husband, Greg, opened the tasting room in 2020, and every grape comes from their own vineyards, including the family's 140-acre Narra Vineyards in the Texas High Plains. The wines are some of the most interesting in town, from Tannat to Malvasia Bianca, and the menu has Indian-inspired bites you will not find anywhere else on the wine trail.

[ASK SAVANNAH: Nikhila is a friend. Want to add a line about that, or keep this about the winery?]

Savannah's tip: Say hello to Dalai and Roger, the resident llamas. And if you are in town November 13 or 14, Kalasi celebrates Diwali with a Festival of Lights.

Texas Wine Collective

Texas Wine Collective on Highway 290 is where I take friends who cannot agree on what they like. Brennan Vineyards, Lost Oak and McPherson Cellars all pour under one roof, along with Texas hard ciders like City Orchard. It is relaxed, the patio is dog-friendly, and everyone finds something.

Savannah's tip: If someone in your group would rather have a cider than a red, this is the stop. It keeps everyone happy.

Want to visit them with us?

All three are on our tour list. Book a Private tour and choose them as your three stops, or see what is on this season's Classic tour. Curious about the rest? Our winery guide covers more than 80 wineries and tasting rooms.

I hope you love them as much as I do. Cheers, friends.

Savannah