DAY TRIPPIN'

We've fallen into the habit of spending most Sunday afternoons picnicking with two other couples out at Driftwood Vineyard, which sits upon a hilltop with a gorgeous view. Yesterday, however, we decided to branch out and go splorin'. Lots of people have to settle for those silly Humvee limos when they go winery-hopping, but we had something even better...

a personal driver with the best wine "nose" around, and a seven-seat SUV with Harry Potter playing on multiple screens!

Our first stop was for lunch at Pecan Street Brewing in Johnson City. Several of us had the most delicious lamb burgers with feta cheese sauce and pepperoncini (Mmmmmmm!), two had the pastrami pannini, little Bella had a pizza, and John had a char-grilled Hickory Burger that rivaled the ones I drive all the way back to Houston for periodically. We'll definitely be going back there again, but next time John and I will know to share an entree!

Next stop was Woodrose Winery, in Stonewall. In really hot weather they move the tastings over to the gorgeous Dance Hall building, where you get to sit together around a table, and they bring the wines to you!

From there we headed to Pedernales Cellars, also in Stonewall. They had some really good wine there!

Last stop was my favorite -- William Chris Vineyards, in Hye, Texas. Why was it my favorite? Check this out:

You walk up to the entrance and think "Cuh-yoot! They've converted this little ol' country farmhouse into their tasting room!"

I'm lovin' the patina on this door...

and the turquoise crushed velvet on these stools.

But wait, what is this? You come out onto what must have been the original back porch, walk down a ramp, et voila! You find yourself in this very modern, spacious tasting room, where the classical guitar and violin music was so gorgeous, I just had to buy the CD.

Later, whilst sitting out back having a little snack, we discussed the day's results, and here's what we decided:

Best Wines: 1st - Pedernales, 2nd - William Chris, 3rd - Woodrose
Best Venue: 1st - William Chris, 2nd - Woodrose, 3rd - Pedernales (nice, clean, modern, just not all that interesting)
Best Staff: 1st - Pedernales, 2nd - Woodrose, 3rd - William Chris, though we really shouldn't judge the entire staff by this one guy, who'm we gave the D***head of the Day award for spending all his time with the cute young things down at the other end of the bar, and being kinda rude to us. And, just so you know, it wasn't either of those guys pictured. We were at the bar across the room.

Also, in case you too live in the area, and enjoy sipping some wine every now and then, I just want you to know that we are a friendly group. You are more than welcome to join us, if you happen to drop in at Driftwood Vineyard on a Sunday afternoon. We're usually there, weather permitting, from about 4:30 until they kick us out around 6:00. But you have to bring munchies.