Wine List

Acclaimed Hill Country winery pours onto list of the world's 100 best for 2022

The winery near Fredericksburg was the only Texas winery to make the list, and one of only 7 in the U.S.

Courtesy of William Chris Vineyards

A Texas winery just landed on one of the most exclusive wine lists of them all. At an event held in Argentina's wine capital, Mendoza, the World’s Best Vineyards organization revealed this year’s top wine destinations for 2022. Texas' own William Chris Vineyards came in at No. 56, the only Texas vineyard on the list and one of only seven wineries from the U.S.

Founded in 2008 by Chris Brundrett and Bill Blackmon in Hye, Texas, the vineyard started out in the historic 1905 Dieke Farmhouse and has been rapidly expanding ever since. Now, the company partners with local farms to source the highest quality Texas fruit, utilizing a hands-off, low-intervention approach to allow the fruit's characteristics to shine through in the final product.

“It is such an honor to be included on the prestigious list of World’s Best Vineyards, especially as the first and only Texas winery,” said Brundrett in a release. “We’ve worked tirelessly to show the world that Texas has a place among the great wine destinations of the world, and we see this as a victory not just for William Chris Vineyards, but for the Texas wine industry as a whole. We’re excited to celebrate this with our partners and peers.”

Released annually, the World’s Best Vineyards list highlights the top must-visit vineyards globally, aiming to promote wine tourism around the world. 500 leading wine experts, sommeliers, and travel experts comprise the group's voting academy, submitting their nominations based on a wide range of criteria — from quality of overall experience to cuisine, value for money, and more. Submissions are voted on, and the collated results become the coveted World’s Best Vineyards list.

For a full list of 2022 winners, visit worldsbestvineyards.com.

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Exploring Texas

Texas' new Palo Pinto State Park opens just a 2-hour drive from Dallas

Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park opens March 1

Texans will be able to hike, fish, camp, and explore a brand-new state park — the first new Texas state park in 25 years — starting on Sunday, March 1.

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, located at 100 Park Road 77 in Strawn, spans 4,871 acres of former ranchland between Abilene and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex (about a two-hour drive west from downtown Dallas).

According to a press release, the land was originally purchased by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in 2011 and the park was expected to open three years ago, but construction delays impeded the opening. Funding for the park was provided by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF), the Texas Legislature, the Sporting Goods Sales Tax, the federal government, and $10 million was raised by TPWF through private donations.

The park offers more than 16 miles of trails for hikers, bikers, and horseback riding, and the park's website states 1.25 miles are ADA compliant, and all-terrain wheelchairs are available for some non-accessible trails. Campers and overnight guests also have three campsites to choose from, including RV sites, walk-in tent spots, and primitive camping areas.

Visitors are also welcome to swim, fish, and boat (note: motorboats are not allowed) in the 68-acre Tucker Lake using the park's accessible kayak/canoe launch, fishing pier, and fish cleaning station. Visitors don't need a license to fish at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, and the park will loan fishing gear upon request.

Tucker Lake at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park Visitors are welcome to kayak and canoe at Tucker Lake, but motorboats are not allowed.Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Birding enthusiasts might spot golden-cheeked warblers during their visit, as the endangered species take residence in the park's oak and Ashe juniper trees in the spring and summer months. Many other migratory birds can be seen at the park throughout the year.

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is anticipating high visitation in March with the spring season's temperate weather and Texas schools' spring breaks. TPWD strongly encouraged visitors to reserve day passes in advance to avoid being turned away if the park has reached its capacity limit.

"This is a tremendous moment for Texas State Parks and the state of Texas," Texas State Parks director Rodney Franklin in the release. "Opening Palo Pinto Mountains State Park represents the culmination of collaborative efforts that includes our Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation as well as private donors. I am proud of the dedication of our TPWD team but also the unwavering support of the Texas Legislature and the voters of Texas that have brought us to this moment. State park staff stand ready to welcome families far and wide to begin making memories at Texas’ newest state park."

Day passes are available up to one month in advance, are non-transferrable to another person or park, and are valid all-day until 10 pm unless the park closes earlier. Day passes can be reserved online or by calling TPWD's Customer Service Center during regular business hours at (512) 389-8900. Entrance fees are $7 daily for adults and children aged 13 and older, and admission is free for children 12-years-old and younger.

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