Wines are always better when paired with music and friends. This is especially true when the wine you are sipping is in the place where it was made, specifically the winery. Our local wineries are hosting special concerts inside during the months of January, February, and March since it can be quite chilly. These inside concerts are more intimate with an emphasis on the wines paired with fellowship and the music. In many cases, food is available at the winery for purchase. Some wineries have indoor concerts with local acts while other wineries like Bernhardt Winery bring in regional musicians and charge a nominal concert fee plus cost for appetizers and desserts along with provisions for your picnic dinner. In addition, wineries like Bernhardt winery require paid reservations to insure an intimate setting even though their Concert Hall is huge, limiting patrons to 100 for each concert. Most of the wineries will have the winemakers attending these concerts. In that case, it could be appropriate to have the winemaker autograph bottles you have purchased for keepsakes and special presents. A lineup for local winery concerts for the next several weeks is provided below and is subject to change:
• January 4th – James Zimmerman Live Piano at Blue Epiphany Winery at 6 pm
• January 5th – Jimmy Joe Long at Whitley Vineyards from 3 to 5 pm
• January 11th – Frank Martin Gilligan at Blue Epiphany at 6 pm
• January 18th – Kevin Lamar at Whitley Vineyards from 7 to 10 pm
• January 18th – Winter Reds Festival featuring Bayou Roux at Bernhardt Winery
• January 18th – Jimmy Joe Long at Blue Epiphany Winery at 6pm
• January 25th – James Zimmerman at Whitley Vineyards from 7 to 10 pm
• January 26th – 4 Faces West at Whitley Vineyards from 3 to 5 pm
• February 2nd – Shawn McCauley at Whitley vineyards from 3 to 5 pm.
These are a few of the current listings with local wineries planning additional concerts. It is a good idea to go online before making plans to attend with friend to confirm the concert will still be going on at these three local wineries. Contact information is as follows in alphabetical order;
• Bernhardt Winery near Plantersville – www.BernhardtWinery.com (936) 894-9829
• Blue epiphany Winery on the north side of Conroe – www.Blue-Epiphany (281) 967-9799
• Whitley Vineyards in downtown Montgomery – www.WhitleyVineyards.com (936) 449-8092
Tasting room hours will vary in the Winter so be check to insure the winery’s hours.
Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail
During the first two Saturdays and Sundays in February, the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail wineries will be hosting the Wine and Chocolate Trail. The Wine and Chocolate Trail is a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. When you arrive at your first winery, you will receive a Commemorative Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail glass to use and keep for all of your tastings. Ticket holders will also receive a specially selected Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail gift at their sixth stop, while supplies last.
Guests have the option to start at the winery of their choice. Trail tickets are valid for one visit at each of the wineries during the two weekends of the trail, regardless of when tickets are purchased. 
The official hours for this event are Noon to 5:00 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday for each trail weekend, regardless of the wineries’ individual tasting room hours. The following wineries will be participating:
• Bernhardt Winery,
• Messina Hof Winery,
• Peach Creek Winery,
• Perrine Winery,
• Pleasant Hill Winery,
• Saddlehorn Winery, and
• Texas Star Winery.
Tickets must be purchased online at www.localwineevents.com, with tickets selling at $35.00 per individual adult or $56.00 for a couple.
CORK THIS! Winery
The new owners of CORK THIS! Winery have decided to close their doors. As a result, CORK THIS! is no longer on the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail. Perrine Winery near College Station has taken over their place on the “trail.”