A Toast! To Wine Stomping Season

Hello and welcome to Living and Local! My name is Hope - a wanderluster with a passion for sharing her favorite places and spaces with anyone and everyone. 

First blog post calls for a toast, right? And what better place to toast then the gem of the Texas Hill Country: Fredericksburg. Fredericksburg is where I grew up, and as a wine enthusiast, I can't thank my parents enough for choosing this spot to land. ITS WINE AND DINE 24/7 HERE, FRIENDS! These are a few of my favorite thingsssssss. 

I'm kicking off the blog in sync with wine stomping season (hopefully we'll both make a splash). This past weekend, I was able to brunch at GrapeCreek Vineyards' NEW restaurant/brunch spot and it was GAH GAH GORGEOUS and OH MY DAMN delicious. The windows in the restaurant overlook the miles of vines which are currently dripping with grapes. Italy?!?! Is that YOU?!?

I chose the Prosciutto Chip Benedict (crispy slices of prosciutto on top of your classic poached eggs and hollandaise sauce). I almost licked my plate clean. My brunch group also partook in the classic brunch drink (mimosa) - and the bubbly is made and sold by GrapeCreek!!! However, you must be a member of their Estate Club to have access to a whole bottle. Or. Come for brunch. Either way. 

Then: ONWARD TO STOMP! Barons Creek Winery was hosting a wine stomp, wine drink, wine everything weekend, so we showed up ready to live out (and maybe reenact) the scene from I Love Lucy. Minus the poofy pants outfit. And by golly we stomped that whole bucket of grapes (after sharing a bottle of their Pinot Gris). 

And, of course, we did a wine tasting. I tried their Viognier (sweeter white), Tempranillo (smooth red), Texas Merlot (dry and spicy), Velvet, Hippo, and Sweet Dreams Texas Port. I'm also a fan of their (award winning) Rosé. It's a dry, lighter, perfect summertime Texas heat wine. Of the reds, I really enjoyed the Tempranillo (and will be back for more). 

Wine stomping is a MUST. 10/10 would recommend to a friend (and to anyone who would listen). It's like an au natural pedicure/exfoliation experience. And I'm sure those tannins are good for the skin! 

Prost! A toast! Salud! All raise your wine glasses and cheers - to loving life and living like a local.