Here at Craft Beer Austin, we love beer. But did you also know that wine exists? This ancient beverage is produced using many of the same methods as beer, but they replace malted grain with… grapes? What a wacky idea, and it turns out there are a few of these “wineries” in Austin. Here’s our list of the best in town!
The Austin Winery
Located at The Yard, on the opposite end of St. Elmo Brewery, is The Austin Winery. The inside of their taproom appears to have some barrels on display, and I think there’s a bar to the right where you can order wine if you’re so inclined. They use these cool looking glasses with a long stem that are kind of like a bulbous teku glass – pretty cool! Consider making a stop here during the next walkabout.
C.L. Butaud Wines
Newly opened just across from Vacancy, this seems like a fantastic place that we’re really excited to try some day. They have a delicious Latin-American food truck outside serving grazing boards and small bites, so it wouldn’t surprise us that this food pairs just as well with wine as it does with beer. Mmm, beer… I could really go for one of those right now.
Wanderlust Wine Co.
There’s been a growing trend of “pour your own” beer taprooms, where you scan a card or wristband and pay by the ounce. It turns out that wineries actually had this idea first – Wanderlust has been using this system for many years now to allow you to taste small pours of as many wines as you’d like. It’s just too bad that wine isn’t allowed on Untappd, so it’s kind of pointless. Oh well, on to the next one.
Driftwood Estate Winery, Wimberly Valley Winery, Bell Springs Winery, Thirsty Mule Winery, Westcave Cellars Winery, Fat Ass Winery, Carter Creek Winery, and Arch Ray Winery
Oh wow, eight wineries grouped together? Yes that’s right, because these spots have one big thing in common – they all produce beer! What better way to enjoy the beautiful vineyards than with a frosty mug of beer in hand.
There’s More?
We can’t believe it either, but there’s like 30 more of these things out in the Hill Country. If you’re looking to take a break from the brewskies it could be a fun way to spend an hour or so before continuing on.
