Get into the holiday spirit by touring with your friends on what used to be the Holiday Crystal Wine Trail along the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail during the first two weekends in December. Due to the pandemic, this event has been modified with visitors checking in at local wineries after making Reservations. Local wineries include:
• Bernhardt Winery near Plantersville
• Messina Hof Winery in Bryan
• Peach Creek Winery in College Station
• Perrine Winery
• Pleasant Hill Winery in Brenham
• Saddlehorn Winery near Burton
• Texas Star Winery near Chappel Hill
• West Sandy Creek Winery near Richards
Enjoy your trek in this unconventional year. Make sure you social distance, wear a mask, and have a designated driver for this trek through what I call the Houston Hill Country.

Bernhardt Winery Celebrates Winter Solstice
Saturday, December 12nd marks the Thirteenth Annual Winter Solstice Celebration at Bernhardt Winery. This fun Christmassy event noon to 6 pm with a Winter Solstice Artisan Market. Patrons will be treated to a special arrangement of Christmas music presented from 2 to 5 pm by Joe Burleson’s Uptown Jazz.
The “Big Guy” from the North Pole has cancelled his traditional visit dispensing candy canes and Christmas Spirit. Of course, there will also be the traditional “sunset toast” to greet the long darkness of the night. Include in your list of must-brings for this Christmas Winter Solstice Event such as kids, friends, chairs, finger snacks, your personal favorite foods for Dinner, cameras, and home-made cookies for the cookie swap. Admission is free. Due to COVID 19 this year, there will be no Vineyard Train Ride, Hayride, and Cookie Walk. S’More and, hot chocolate will be available for a small fee. Don’t forget to wear your mask and social distance.
Christmas Shopping for your Wine Lover
The Christmas buying spree has begun. Did Black Friday satisfy your shopping needs? Do you have a wine lover that still needs that special gift? If so, you are in luck with these suggestions!
• Bottles of Texas wines autographed by the winemaker from places like Bernhardt, Windy Winery, Pleasant Hill, and Messina Hof. One of the top wines at Messina Hof is the PAULO series which has topped Opus One and Silver Oak Winery in blind wine tastings.
• WINEAUX WEAR from Bernhardt Winery.
• Wine Accessories from The Rancher’s Daughter in Montgomery.
• Magazine subscriptions to wine magazines like WINE SPECTATOR, DECANTER, and WINE ENTHUASIST.
• The best in wine glasses like Riedel from Sur La Table and SPEC’S. For that Klutz, get Polycarbonate Wine Glasses from Bed, Bath, and Beyond. For that “Special Klutz”, get “unbreakable” infusion glass wine glasses.
• Wine Aroma Kits from SPEC’S
• Wine-making Kits from “Brew It Yourself” at 25770 I-45, just north of Rayford Road on the east side of I-45.
Whatever your choice, your wine lover should love these unique gift ideas!
Texas Wines Get some Respect for Christmas
The world is beginning to recognize the consistent quality of Texas Wines. Michelle Williams with Forbes Magazine had a robust article about Texas wines and how Texas wines should be reckoned with. This came about just a few days before Thanksgiving. The 89 judges reviewed 2,601 wines during Houston Rodeo Uncorked competition held under tight surveillance from November 13th thru the 15th. Judging had an emphasis on COVID19 safety. Texas Wines earned 337 medals including NINE Double Gold Medal Wines and 41 Texas Wines earning Gold Medals. The Top Texas Winery was Messina Hof Winery. Attached is a rundown of Texas’ awarding wining wineries! Texas has a lot to be proud of!