How to Spend Two Eco-Friendly Days in Texas Wine Country
Raise a glass at organic wineries, pick up some low-impact souvenirs, stay the night at eco-conscious hotels, and explore Fredericksburg, the heart of Texas wine country
Texas may not be the first place that pops to mind when you think of eco-friendly vacations, but the Lone Star State’s wine country might just change your mind. Vineyards generally require less water than most crops, and Texas is home to a number of smaller, boutique wine producers who have committed to sustainability in other areas of their operations too, making them a kinder-to-Earth choice than patronizing larger, commercialized corporate wineries. The charming, German-influenced Fredericksburg, in particular, has evolved into a vibrant wine destination over the past couple of decades; part of the larger umbrella of the Texas Hill Country AVA (American Viticultural Area), which includes 100 wineries spread over 9 million acres, the Fredericksburg area makes for a smaller, relatively manageable, wine-filled vacation that doesn’t require too much unnecessary driving if you’re not in an electric vehicle.
Of course, you’ll find much to do in Fredericksburg between sips of sauvignon blanc and bites of cheese in the area’s laid-back tasting rooms. Bypass the massive resorts with bustling water parks in favor of cooling off in a natural swimming hole. Spend a few nights in an energy-efficient nature pod. Dine at restaurants that source their ingredients locally. Shop antique, vintage, and resale shops for unique souvenirs and gifts. There are plenty of opportunities for eco choices, which can help balance out the occasional environmental indulgence.
Who I am: As a native Texan, I grew up road tripping all over this massive state with my family. During college, my friends and I would take quick impromptu trips to Austin or Oklahoma out of pure boredom (and lack of funds for much more than a tank of gas). After graduating with a journalism degree, my career journey led me into travel writing, and I’ve been privileged to experience so much more of Texas than I ever imagined. Fredericksburg has long been a favorite destination, so viewing the quaint Hill Country city through an eco-conscious lens gave me a whole new perspective on the area.
Before you go
Getting there: If you don’t already own an electric or hybrid vehicle, consider renting one as an eco-conscious transportation option. Fredericksburg lies 90 miles due west of Austin, but can be accessed from nearly every major Texas city within the range of a single charge on most recent models. And once you’re in town, you can access almost 600 charging stations (more than a dozen of which are free to use).
Getting around: The proximity of restaurants, hotels, retailers, and attractions within Fredericksburg’s main business and entertainment district makes the city easily walkable or bikeable. Some hotel and bed-and-breakfast properties offer complimentary bikes, or you can rent an electric or traditional bike from Hill Country Bicycle Works, Jack and Adam’s Bicycles, or Ranch Road One Bike Rentals and Tours. Want to take a drink back to your hotel? No problem: On Main Street, you legally can sip and walk.
What to Pack: The sun here is no joke. Protect yourself and the area’s natural waters by using oxybenzone-free sunscreen, available from any Texas-based H-E-B store in Fredericksburg and throughout Hill Country. If you’re planning to spend time in the rivers and lakes, then Astral Water Shoes are a good way to avoid scrapes and painful rocks — and they’re stylish enough for all-day wear. And, of course, a wine country trip demands a healthy supply of wine sleeves; Aozita’s are made of double-layer bubble wrap with a triple, leak-proof seal, keeping your precious wine purchases protected.
Where to Stay
Two Eco-Friendly Days in Fredericksburg, Texas
Day 1: Feed giraffes, sip tempranillo, and dig into a German feast
Morning
- Start your day at Woerner Cafe, which sources most of its produce from local farms. Try a slice of quiche; a sweet or savory stuffed croissant; or the Figgy Piggy, a combo of scrambled eggs, honey ham, dill havarti, tomato, and fig preserves on a toasted bagel. While you’re there, do a little shopping at the on-site store for kitchen gadgets, home accessories, jewelry, and lots of other impulse-buy souvenirs.
- The Longneck Manor animal sanctuary focuses on wildlife conservation and educating visitors about sustainable tourism. Book a 75-minute tour of the 100-acre property in advance and you’ll encounter the namesake longneck giraffes, as well as rhinos, while engaging in conversation with animal care specialists. You’ll get to feed the majestic creatures and pose for photos, too.
Afternoon
- Time to go wine tasting. In 2024, the Central Coast California winery Halter Ranch opened the first-ever vineyard to be certified organic in Fredericksburg. Walk-ins are welcome, and the estate also has a full-service restaurant, Hansjörg, where you can fill up on a leisurely lunch (Texas wagyu burgers, blackened Gulf catfish) while sipping a Texas rosé or sparkling cabernet.
- Next, visit the family-owned Pedernales Cellars, the first winery in Texas to achieve organic certification. Every aspect of the operation was designed with sustainability in mind: The team uses a geothermal cooling system in the cellar, depends on CFL and solar lighting, collects rainwater to water the landscaping, and composts byproducts from winemaking. Reserve a tasting room time and work your way through the famed tempranillos and other varietals while snacking on a well-appointed cheese platter.
- From here, head to Becker Vineyards, which also employs sustainable winemaking practices and offers visitors two Fredericksburg tasting room locations: one at the estate winery and the other on Main Street. Book a private tour or the tasting of your preference, and enjoy some more cheese and charcuterie if you’re feeling peckish.
Evening
- Honor Fredericksburg’s German roots with dinner at the town’s beloved Otto’s German Bistro. The restaurant sources meats, produce, and sustainable ingredients locally whenever possible. Try some German-Austrian wines, craft beers, and a plate of schnitzel, made here with duck instead of pork.
- A nightcap couldn’t hurt. Located in a beautifully preserved historic building on Main Street, 78624 The Bar gets its name from the city’s zip code. A craft cocktail is the order here; try the Oaxacan Old Fashioned, made with mezcal and añejo tequila, or the Aztec, the bar’s take on an espresso martini. Get a cowboy cookie just because.
Day 2: Go antiquing, pair pizza with local wines, and take a cooking class
Morning
- Texas Sunrise opens at 7 a.m., seven days a week, so you can get an early start on your second day in Fredericksburg. Try one of the omelettes (each served with a side of house-made salsa) or one of four Benedict variations. If you have a sweet tooth, the Fredericksburg Famous Banana Walnut Pancakes need no further description.
- Fredericksburg is home to numerous local boutiques and retailers that trade in eco-friendly goods. Shop for all the little ones in your life at Fredericksburg Natural Baby, which offers organic, non-toxic baby items. Flying Cow Skincare utilizes beef tallow (a product that often gets discarded) for a naturally sourced line of products that aid in a variety of skin issues.
- Antiquing, of course, is one of the best ways to shop sustainably. Carol Hicks Bolton Antiquities has plenty of one-of-a-kind furniture and decorative items in its 30,000-square-foot space. Fredericksburg Trade Days take place each Friday through Sunday, giving you another option to uncover vintage treasures. And Farmhaus Antiques offers a highly curated selection of home decor and furnishings in a sleek showroom. Other options include the Antiques Mall of Fredericksburg and Red Baron Antique Mall.
Afternoon
- Hit up a couple more wineries and build lunch into the experience. Start in nearby Stonewall at Adegha Vinho, where the La Cozinha food truck operates Thursday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Wood-fired pizzas and mushroom risotto allow for a variety of perfect pairings with old-world wines, perhaps a sangiovese.
- Hilmy Cellars is an artisan winery sustainably growing petit syrah, mourvédre, and barbera. Reserve a time in the tasting room, order a flight of wine, and snack on olives, cheese, and charcuterie as you take in the vineyard views. If you want a fully immersive wine getaway, book the on-site bed and breakfast, which has room for 10 guests.
Evening
- Fischer and Wieser Farmstead is many things at once: a peach orchard, small-batch distillery, a winery, and retail shop. Sit on the back lawn and sip the evening away, then dive into one of the farm’s hands-on cooking classes — ranging from Italian to German to Hill Country cuisine — or opt for a private dinner experience for four to 20 people, with the chefs taking the lead.
- End your day at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, which recently added an additional 600 acres to the park. Once night falls, enjoy some of the best stargazing in Texas at this international dark sky park. Nearby LBJ Ranch National Historic Site and International Dark Sky Park also boasts incredible celestial views, with the added bonus of a presidential center. Note: The “Texas White House” grounds and hangar with a presidential plane remains closed for renovation, but a driving tour allows you to stop at a few key spots on the property.
If you have three days
All of the above, but add…
- Begin with a visit to Roam Ranch, a 600-acre farm focused on regenerative agriculture. The farm has an open-door policy and, depending on the time of year, you can join a community ranch tour, take part in animal harvest, or get a hands-on look at biodynamic farming.
- Cool off at Krause Springs Texas Swimming Hole. Situated on 115 acres, you can swim in a manmade or natural pool, both fed by one or more of the 32 natural springs.
- The Fredericksburg Brewing Company doesn’t stay open late (8 during the week, and 9 on weekends), so set an alarm to get here in time to sample selections from a rotating list of about 20 beers brewed throughout the year in this circa-1890 building. You can even watch the brewers at work while you sit at the bar.
If you have four days or more
All of the above, but add…
- Take a break from the Texas heat by going deep underground. Longhorn Cavern State Park offers gentle walking tours. Or you can get down on all fours and crawl through a Wild Cave Tour that allows you to explore undeveloped lower canyons without any paved trails or lights beyond the one on your helmet.
- Head to the Antler's Inn, a nearby historic complex that has been hosting visitors for more than a century. Horror movie fans will want to dine at Hooper’s Restaurant & Pub, which was featured in the 1974 classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.