Girls’ night outs and wine tastings are about to get a hell of a lot better thanks to these wine tasting recommendations we’re about to give you. Today, we look at the best wineries and vineyards in Houston to visit if you want a great wine-tasting experience.
The thing about wine is that it can transport you to lands and times far beyond your present moment. As soon as that delicious liquid hits your tongue, you’ll feel like you’ve been teleported to another realm.
But, don’t take our word for it, just plan a visit to one of these wineries and vineyards, and you’ll see what we’re talking about.
However, before we jump into the list, let’s look at a little history of wine in Texas and why Houston is the place to go.
A Little History
Did you know that Texas is the fifth-largest wine-producing state in the United States? It comes fifth after California, New York, Washington, and Oregon. In fact, some of the vines in Texas were planted over 100 years before those in Virginia.
Another fun fact about wine in Texas is that some of the first vines were carefully planted around the 1650s by a priest in El Paso who wanted to produce sacramental wine for religious ceremonies. This makes Texas the oldest wine-producing state in the United States of America.
Interesting Fact: There are 467 wineries in Houston.
This means that you have several options to choose from when it comes to getting the best winery in Houston. However, although having options is great, it can also pose another challenge; knowing which ones are the best.
But not to worry because you’re in good hands as we are here to give you the best choices. We’re here to help you get your pick of the litter without having to do too much research – we already did that for you.
All right. Let’s get started.
What Are the Best Wineries and Vineyards in Houston?
1. Nice Winery
Starting us off is this winery in Houston that’s focused on wine and wine education. So, if you’re looking for good a winery in Houston where you can have your wedding, birthday, or bachelorette party, this is not a good fit.
On the other hand, if you want to learn about wines, winemaking, and how to pair food with wine, this is the very place to be. You’ll get to enjoy seated discussions about wine and learn so much about the world of wine and winemaking.
Because the Nice Winery prides itself on giving its visitors an amazing experience, they have limited their wine tastings to 16 people. In addition, you’ll also need to book an appointment before enjoying one of these educational wine tastings.
2. Sable Gate Winery
Sable Gate Winery has a great story behind it. This Houston-based winery is owned and operated by a couple. Szilvia Konya and Bob Egan.
So, Szilvia grew up in a vineyard in Hungary, where she learned all about growing grapes and winemaking. On the other hand, Bob was originally a beer guy but turned into a wine lover after meeting Szilvia.
He fell in love with wine so much so that he toured over 50 countries, tasting various types of wines. Therefore, to say that you’ll be in good hands in this winery would be hitting the nail on the head.
You’ll get to blend your own personal vintage bottle and even label it during your wine tasting tour. How cool is that!
Sable Gate sources its grapes from all over the world, including countries such as New Zealand, France, Italy, Germany, and even California. Some of the varietals they have include Cabs, Chardonnays, and Merlots.
3. Ermarose Winery
This Houston-based winery specialized in fruit wine. Some of its most popular signature flavors include Mango, Banana, Blueberry, Blackberry, and Royal Dragonfly.
This family-owned and operated winery offers you more than just a great wine-tasting experience. In addition, you get to enjoy live music, food trucks, and vendors.
If you want the live music experience, be sure to go there on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
4. Decant Urban Winery
This urban winery is open on:
Wednesday – Friday: 4 pm – 9 pm
Saturday: 1 pm – 9 pm
Sunday: 2 pm – 6 pm
Unlike our first winery, this urban winery is great for having events and celebrations. Therefore, consider going to this urban winery if you’re not sure about what to do for your sister’s birthday.
The grapes are carefully sourced from all over the United States and are converted into delicious wine using old-world winemaking techniques.
If you honestly prefer the traditional way of doing things, you’ll love that the wine from this winery is handcrafted in small batches onsite.
5. EADS Family Vineyards
The EADS Family Vineyards starts with a beautiful story in the 1970s. The matriarch of the EADS family was the first woman to import French wine into Texas.
The vineyards cover more than 15 acres of wine-growing land and are managed only by hand. This means that no machinery ever touches the vines or the grapes.
The grape types found within the vineyards include Cabernet Blanc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
If you want to visit these beautiful vineyards, you’ll need to book a wine-tasting tour as a group of four. You will then get to enjoy a beautiful 90-minute experience within the vineyard.
The EADS Family Vineyards collection includes their flagship Clos Dubreuil, the traditional Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Anna, and the groundbreaking Dubreuil Chardonnay.
Conclusion
Houston has over 460 wineries that you can explore to expand your wine palate. In fact, with Texas being the fifth-largest wine-producing state in America, you can be sure that you’ll be spoilt for choice.
As you explore these wineries and vineyards, some of the wines you’ll experience include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc. Let us know which winery or vineyard you choose to visit as you explore Houston and which type of wine you loved the best.
