Texas Tipsy Tours offers Dripping Springs wine tours from Austin and the Texas Hill Country. Choose from our custom private tours.
Dripping Springs wineries are a popular stop on Austin wine tours due to their close proximity to the city. The 290 wine trail is located just southwest of Austin, and along 290 you will find the towns of Dripping Springs/Driftwood, Johnson City, Hye, Stonewall and finally, the wildly well-known wine region of Texas, Fredericksburg. These towns, ultimately blending in together, are still unique in their own rights. This is easily seen by the clear difference in the landscape of the rolling hill country of Dripping Springs to the flatlands of Fredericksburg, covered with vineyards and tasting rooms.
Imagine you and your best babes sitting around a chic-modern tasting room, overlooking the lush vineyards of a notable Texas winery, drinking a glass of a smooth Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah blend. Or maybe you are more into a glass of crisp Viognier. That’s why you booked your trip to Texas after all, right- for Texas wine country!? Now, you are deep into the planning process and don’t know what to book next.
Texas Hill Country Wineries organizes four unique events per year, most notably the Texas Wine Month Passport in October. Purchase a passport for a full complimentary tasting at each winery. With a limit of four wineries a day, you can space out your tour of the Texas hill country wineries throughout the entire month of October. They do sell out, so don’t even think about not purchasing- and hire a driver for your day so you can really enjoy!
Are you planning a stay in Dripping Springs? Check out our mention in “I Love Dripping Springs” Travel Guide.One important thing to keep in mind when picking out wineries for your tour is whether or not they offer wine that is grown from Texas grapes, which is not true of all wineries in Texas. It is even harder to find a wine that is grown from 100% Texas-grown grapes.
Dripping Springs Wine Tour Wineries
The Dripping Springs Area:
To give you perspective, Dripping Springs and Driftwood are about 45 minutes from Downtown Austin. Due to the proximity, many groups doing an Austin wine tour prefer to visit this area. I often lump these two towns in together, as they are adjacent to each other and host a handful of wineries. Here you will find the stunning views of the Texas Hill Country- rolling hills, backroads and large shade trees covering the wineries.
Central Texas Limo Services:
So many wineries, so little time. We always promote safe driving, so we recommend a designated driver, or better yet- a luxury tour company. Contact Texas Tipsy Tours at reservations@txtipsytours.com to book your tour or get more information. Cheers!
Planning a Bachelorette Wine Tour?
Bachelorette Party Wine Tours are a popular destination in Austin and Fredericksburg due to the culture, food, nightlife- and of course, the Texas wine region. Check out our wine tours specific to our bachelorette parties: Bachelorette Party Wine Tour.
Need assistance in planning additional activities, lodging and places to stay? Check out our Event Planning Service.
Planning a Fredericksburg Bachelorette Party? See the tried-and-test tips and recommendations from planning several Fredericksburg bachelorette parties: How to Make Your Fredericksburg Bachelorette Party Unforgettable.
Full-Day- Dripping Springs Wine Tour (Six Hours)
Pick up in Austin, Dripping Springs, or Wimberley
*Other locations may require an additional fee
Itinerary:
Fall Creek Winery- tastings included
Duchman Winery- Tastings included for groups under 10. Note: Groups over 10 will get bottles to share, outdoor seating
Wimberley Valley Winery- tastings included
Pick up at 10:15 am
2-3 people: $305/person + 15% gratuity
4-5 people: $210/person + 15% gratuity
6-8 people: $190/person + 15% gratuity
9-13 people: $160/person + 15% gratuity
Dripping Springs 1/2 Day Wine Tour (4.5 Hours)
Saturdays- Pick up in Downtown Austin ONLY * See boundaries map *
Other days: Austin, Dripping Springs or Wimberley
*Other locations may require an additional fee
Itinerary:
Fall Creek Winery- tastings included
Duchman Winery- Tastings included for groups under 10, groups over 10 will get bottles to share
10:15 am pick up
6-8 people: $150/person + 15% gratuity
9-13 people: $125/person + 15% gratuity
Please note: Our half-day tours are not available on holiday weekends.
Fall Creek Vineyards- Driftwood
Fall Creek is the oldest winery in the Texas Hill Country. While the estate-vineyard is in Tow, the Fall Creek Winery in Driftwood also offers vies of the grapes walking up to their tasting room AND a homey tasting room feeling. They do offer 100% Texas grown-grapes from several estate and farmer-owner vineyards. If you are looking for truly premium 100% Texas wine, hands down, this is a must-go for your Texas wine tasting experience. This is the best way to get a true taste of the different varietals in Texas. You won’t be disappointed!
Their tasting room is beautiful estate that was previously someone’s home before Fall Creek renovated and made it their own, while still keeping the charm and comfort. Their tasting room features tables set up on the enclosed patio (great for a nice Texas-sunshine day) overlooking a pool and a beautifully manicured lawn complete with blooming flowers in the spring. Many tables are also setup inside the estate to offer a more intimate setting. Make this your first stop when planning your wine tasting in Austin!
Duchman Winery- Driftwood, Texas
Duchman is 100% Texas wine, but is a better option for Italian-wine lovers, as they often feature Italian varietals including Sangiovese, Dolcetto and Vermentino. These grapes have been grown in the Texas high plains as the climate is most similar to that of Italy’s.
The tasting room features Italian vibes and the entrance hosts Instagram-worthy shots. However, the tasting room is often very crowded, and reservations for tastings are currently not available. On tour, we will purchase wine bottles to share for your group to sit outdoors (or limited seating inside on a first come first served basis). If you are looking for a great experience with informative wine-tenders, this might not the place for you. However, if you are looking to grab a good glass of wine, take some pictures, and sit outside with a picnic lunch (or better yet, a pizza from Trattoria Lisina next door), this is a good option.
Wimberley Valley Winery- Wimberley, Texas
While technically not located in Dripping Springs or Driftwood, Wimberley Valley Winery resides in Wimberley, a small town next to Driftwood. It is just a short drive (20 minutes from Fall Creek for reference). This winery does not offer 100% Texas wines and is a better option for those looking for sweet wines, as they offer wines such as apple, blueberry, and blackberry.
The property here is absolutely beautiful, with an abundance of outdoor seating and extensive large oak trees covering the property and providing shade from the Texas heat. The winery offers the unique experience of livestock on neighboring land that often comes up to the fence. Again, the wine choices are not for everyone, but the property surely makes up for it!
Prefer to Visit Another Winery?
Texas Tipsy Tours also visits other wineries in the Dripping Springs/Driftwood area. Speak with our team about the possibility of swapping out one of the set locations with one of the following wineries.
Texas AVA:
CL Butaud winemaker, Randy, serves 100% Texas wine in a new boutique tasting room in Austin, close to Dripping Springs. The wine tastings are led by highly educated staff, and are intimate and educational, and filled with great stories. You must ask Randy, winemaker for CL Butaud, about the story behind “Cease & Desist”! With Randy’s, founder and winemaker of CL Butaud, winemaking origins going back to his winery and tasting room in California, he strives to bring approachable wines that are easily enjoyed in Texas’ warmer climates. Taste four wines in your wine flight.
Weather permitting as it is outdoor seating.
On our Full Day Tours: Swap Duchman Winery for CL Butuad for an elevated tasting experience
On our half-day tours: Swap Bell Springs Winery for CL Butuad for an elevated tasting experience
Additional fee: (+ $10/person, max of 6 people)
Bell Springs Winery- Dripping Springs
While not all 100% Texas wines, Bell Springs has some great wines. They are always trying out new blends, and have even offer their own brewery now, too. They have fun branding on many of their bottles- my favorite: The Needy Bitch, named after the winery dog (but many bottles have also been bought for the bride-to-be, all in good fun of course).
Bell Springs hosts a food truck on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, offering an array of drinking munchies from artisan grilled cheese to flatbread pizza and sliders. They also have live music every Saturday and Sunday from 3:00-5:00 pm on their patio. This is a great stop for lunch in Texas wine country.
Additionally, the Bell Springs property also hosts Bell Springs Brewery right next door (within feet of the winery)!
Please note that Bell Springs Winery is almost all outdoor seating, so for the summer months (July and August), we will substitute for Wimberley Valley Winery
Read more about Hawk’s Shadow Winery.
Hawk’s Shadow Winery- Dripping Springs, Texas
Hawk’s Shadow is a small, family-owned winery, also offering 100% Texas wine and table-side tastings with fantastic customer service. I am a big fan of their big bold red Texas wines. If you are looking for stunning Texas Hill Country views for your tour, THIS is your place. Sit at one of their outdoor tables on their patio if the weather is cooperating, or at one of the tables inside the tasting room sitting atop and overlooking the rolling hills of Texas.
Ask about upgrading to the winemaker experience for an additional fee here. This includes a standard tasting, plus a wine tour and additional tasting from one of the owners, or highly-informed staff, of three wines straight from the barrel in Hawk’s Shadow’s unique underground cellar. This is an experience that should not be missed, but do book in advance. Hawk’s Shadow is open Saturdays, and open only by appointment on Sunday, as well as Wednesday through Friday.
What is Included?
- Your wine tastings/flights or bottles at the 3 wineries visited on full-day tours, and 2 wineries visited on half-day tours (please see individual tour itnieraries above for more specifics)
- Options to customize your itinerary
- Six hours of transportation from pick up to drop off, with additional time available to purchase in advance of your tour on our full day tours
- Half-Day Tours include four hours of transportation from pick up to drop off- additional time cannot be added
- Private transportation and driver in an SUV, Mercedes Sprinter (Mercedes Sprinter Limo available for an additional upgrade fee on our full-day tours only)
- Custom pick up and drop off at a location of your choice inside the Austin-area for our full-day tours. Central Austin/Downtown Pick Ups ONLY available for 1/2 Day Wine Tour.
- We offer additional pick-ups and drop-offs in Austin, the Texas Hill Country, and Fredericksburg for our full-day tours (pick ups outside of Central Austin may require additional time on tour and/or additional pick up fees). **Not available on our half-day wine tour.
- You are welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks (BYOB allowed on vehicle).See our terms.
What is for Lunch?
Our Texas Hill Country Wine Tours have options to eat while on tour:
- Bell Springs Winery features Mind of Massaro, an incredible chef with a great menu. While his menu is currently BBQ, he has many talents and frequently changes it up, so check the link above to see the latest menu. **Frequently high wait times, we recommend ordering in advance. Typically this is the second stop on our half day wine tour, and third stop on the full-day wine tour
- Duchman Winery features a menu of pizza, hummus, and other wine bites. Full Day Tour only- this is typically the second stop.
You are also welcome to add on to your tour to visit another lunch spot. Please note that adding time to the tour is an additional cost (meal not included).
Texas Hill Country: Beyond Dripping Springs Wine Tours
You can undoubtedly find a premier selection of wine during your tour of Texas wineries in the Dripping Springs/Driftwood area, as well as some of the best views of the Texas hill country. The shorter distance from Austin, Texas is largely the factor that seals the deal for most groups looking for transportation out of Austin.
However, if you are really a wine-aficionado, you may choose to consider taking the longer route to the well-known wine region of Fredericksburg, Texas. See our Fredericksburg Wine Tour Guide, here. Here you can find a huge array of wineries, many of which offer premium 100%-Texas wines. The transportation time from Downtown Austin is closer to about an hour and a half. The landscape changes here to flat land where you can see miles and miles of vineyards and tasting rooms. There will truly be something for everyone in Fredericksburg.
The above descriptions are based on my personal experience visiting the wineries, my experience with the wineries, as owner of a luxury transportation company, Texas Tipsy Tours, specializing in winery tours, as well as my customer’s feedback on the wine, experience, and customer service.
