At William Chris Vineyards, we focus on low impact 100% Texas grown wine. Owners and winemakers, Bill Blackmon and Chris Brundrett, sat down together at a Hill Country bar one night and discovered they shared a similar philosophy for winemaking.
They believe that the way to put Texas on the map as a respected wine region is to promote wines made exclusively from Texas grown fruit. Wines that make California and France recognizable come from the unique terroir and growing conditions of each region. They believe that for Texas wines to distinguish themselves, they also should represent the terroir and growing conditions of the Lone Star State.
Not only did they believe that the grapes needed to be Texan, they also believe that to grow the best fruit, much time among the vines is required. So walking multitudes of “footsteps in the vineyard,” Bill and Chris carefully inspect the fruit of every vintage.
Tasting
WINEMAKERS CHOICE TASTING
Let our knowledgeable Texas wine ambassadors guide you through our winemakers' selection of five wines as you gaze over the rolling hills of the Pedernales River Valley.
Group size limit of six
$20 per person, waived with purchase of three bottles or more
For groups up to twelve, please select "Large Group Tastings" from the dropdown menu below your party size.
BARREL TASTING
Enjoy a guided tour of our winemaking facility along side one of our tenured team members. Learn about our winemaking process as you sample wines straight from the barrel while relaxing in our cellar.
Group size limited to 6 guests
$50 per person, $25 per member
Due to the nature of this tour, all guests in Barrel Tasting must be at least 21
HYE SOCIETY TASTING
Exclusively for our wine club members and their guests. Be sure to contact us for special occassions or unique requests, we love to help create unforgettable experiences for you.
Discover William Chris Vineyards
The moment you pull off Highway 290 onto the William Chris grounds, you'll discover the simple charm of a serene farm house surrounded by grapevines - all beautifully suited to their terroir. Even at first look, the spirit of Hye Estate's agricultural heritage transcends time and space. Our tasting room dates to 1905. When we took ownership it was delapidated and weathered by age, but Bill and Chris thought it was a part of Hye Estate's heritage worthy of preservation. The two reclaimed original fixtures and materials, then rebuilt the house room by room. The legend of the Skeleton Key began with the re-construction of our first tasting room. Out of that experience, one of our most famous red wine blends was born.
What to Expect
During your wine tasting experience you will discover our passion for Texas winegrowing, and hopefully you'll be inspired to continue exploring less familiar varietals that express the lone star terroir.
Outdoor deck and pavillion seating provides breathtaking panoramic views of the rolling hills behind rows of lush grapevines. Picnic tables under our historic oak grove also provide a serene area for snacking and wine drinking with friends.
We offer live music on the weekends and snack plates to satisfy your appetite. We even provide bottled water, fans, blankets, and outdoor heaters to keep you comfortable if you choose to take a seat outdoors.
Whether you are a frequent guest or new to the Texas Hill Country, we invite you to grab a glass, kick your feet up and enjoy real Texas wine.
We are pleased to share a piece of our world.
PET POLICY
Out of consideration for all our guests, dog lovers as well as those who are not, we require your four-legged friends to remain outside and on a leash. No pets are allowed inside the tasting room without service animal designation/certification. We also kindly request you follow these guidelines when bringing pets to the vineyard:
Dogs are to remain on a leash at all times.
No more than 1 pet per 1 guest.
Please help us keep this property beautiful, clean up after your dog. Bags and receptacles are provided.
Pet owners are responsible for their dog’s behavior - please remain attentive.
Dogs MUST be up to date on all shots.
Be mindful of your neighbors, if asked to separate your dog from another, leash your dog, or remove your dog from the grounds, please do so in a courteous manner.
Dogs who display any type of aggression are not allowed, owners of aggressive dogs may be asked to leave William Chris property with their animal.
Tasting Price: Winemaker's Choice: $20
Barrel Tasting: $50 Per Person, $25 Per Member
Hye Society Tasting: Wine Club Members Only
Amenities
This winery is known for its Great Views on the property.
The property has indicated that they feature live music events on certain days and times.
This winery offers space for RV Parking on their property.
This winery offers wine tastings on the property either by walk-in or appointment.
Wine Styles
- Dry Red Wines
- Dry White Wines
- Red Wines
- Sparkling Wines
- White Wines
