Johnson City is the gateway to the Texas Hill Country. Whether you’re driving in from Austin or San Antonio, or travelling from farther away, Johnson City is a perfect place to start your wine country visit and enjoy the authentic Texas wines that are unique to our area.
Local Johnson City Wineries
Wondering where to start on a wine tasting experience in Johnson City? We’ve put together a list of our local wineries, and a guide to having a great wine tasting experience!
(Please note: because hours and pricing may change seasonally, we are not including specific hours for the wineries. Instead, we are linking to their websites, where you can access the most up-to-date information about each location.)
Tatum Cellars
Address: 109 N. Nugent Ave, Johnson City, TX 78636
Website: https://www.tatumcellars.com/
Tatum Cellars began with a focus on creating dry, Provencal-style rose. The winemakers have continued to develop their signature style, focused on single-vineyard offerings that showcase the distinct Texas terroir.
What Guests Say: “Tatum Cellars is such a gem!! The wine is spectacular, the tasting room is adorable, and Wes was such a delight. Not only was he a spectacular DJ on the record player, he was such a congenial host and wine educator. Highlight of our trip to Johnson City!”
Vinovium
Address: 102 N Ave G, Johnson City, TX 78636
Website: https://www.vinovium.wine/
Vinovium calls itself “your neighborhood winery” and focuses on creating an engaging, personal experience that makes people feel comfortable and want to come back often. Vinovium serves its wine from kegs, a unique innovation that ensures pours are fresh and flavorful.
In addition to wine tastings, guests rave about Vinovium’s food menu and their selection of tapas and craveable sandwiches.
What Guests Say: Wonderful staff, great service, kind and knowledgeable people. The wine is incredibly good with several options for anyone interested, including unique and delicious wine cocktails. The outside seating is cozy, spacious and comfortable as well as the indoor bar. 6 stars if I could. Thank you, and we will be back!
Pebble Rock Cellars
Address: 506 US-281, Johnson City, TX 78636
Website: https://pebblerockcellars.wine/
In Pebble Rock Cellar’s cozy tasting room, wine conversation is highly encouraged.
The winemakers dedicate their time to conversations about their winemaking philosophy and the winemaking process. Their goal is to make wine tasting feel enjoyable and accessible no matter your level of wine knowledge or experience.
What Guests Say: “Pebble Rock Winery is a hidden gem! Lydia and Robert have created a beautiful and welcoming space. The wines are absolutely delicious, with something to suit every palate, and the atmosphere is both relaxing and stunning. Their passion for winemaking shines through in every glass, and their hospitality makes you feel right at home. I immediately signed up as a member! If you’re in the area, this is a must-visit destination. Five stars!”
Farmhouse Vineyards Marketplace and Tipsy Trailer
Address: 402 E. Main Street, Johnson City, TX 78636
Website: https://www.farmhousevineyards.com/
As the “first stop on the Texas Wine Trail,” the Tipsy Trailer provides a great, casual experience that’s approachable and fun for groups, girls’ getaways, and more.
The tasting experience takes place in a 1978 Airstream, and there’s an option to purchase charcuterie and snacks to accompany your wine.
What Guests Say: “We had a wonderful time here! We had a group of 7 and it was perfect place to gather and enjoy some wine (prohibition rose-I highly recommend) charcuterie and great friends. Terry was outstanding and we really appreciate the time she took explaining the wines, history and just made us feel special and welcomed. We will definitely be back next time we are in town.”
Terra Trails Winery
Address: 602 US-281, Johnson City, TX 78636
Website: https://terratrailswinery.com/
Phone: (830) 330-0669
Terra Trails is a relative newcomer to the Texas Hill Country wine scene, but guests are already sharing how much they enjoy the wine tastings and food on offer at the Johnson City.
The winery focuses on creating Texas wines with heart.
What Guests Say: “If you are looking for high-quality wine, locally sourced food, and genuinely great people, this is the place. Jorge, Marissa, and Jason are on the right path to creating the perfect experience in Johnson City. Highly recommend!”
Tips on Wine Tastings and More
Johnson City may be small in population, but our little Texas Hill country town punches above its weight when it comes to wines that are high-quality, tastings rooms that are comfortable, and wine experts that are approachable and easy-to-connect with.
Planning a first visit to a winery? Here are a few tips to make the most of your experience and ensure it’s enjoyable, so you’ll want to come back again and again.
Order a tasting: Most locations will have a tasting menu that offers some of their best wine options. You’ll receive small servings of several wine options, and an expert will often explain the unique characteristics of each wine.
Learn a few vocabulary words: While our local winemakers work hard to ensure Texas wine culture is accessible to everyone regardless of knowledge level, you may feel more comfortable and at-home if you take a few minutes to acquire some wine vocabulary. Here are a few terms that might be helpful to you and make you feel more at ease when discussing wines.
- Body: the thickness of the wine on your palate. Think about drinking milk – a skim milk has less body than whole milk or cream.
- Bouquet: the aroma of a wine. You may notice certain characteristics of the bouquet of a wine that are different from the wine’s actual taste.
- Mouthfeel: Mouthfeel is different than body, although they both relate to the way the wine feels in your mouth. A wine’s mouthfeel describes the sensations of the wine in the mouth and can be described with terms like “smooth,” “sharp,” or “dry.”
- Varietal: A varietal is made from one kind of grape, or mostly one type of grape, rather than a blend of several grapes. For example, a varietal could have 85 percent chardonnay grapes. Some popular Texas Hill Country varietals include Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, Tannat, and Black Spanish.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions: The people who are working at wineries – or who own them! – do it because they love wine and love sharing their wines with others. They welcome and appreciate your questions, and they want to help you better understand the wine options they offer.
Take notes if you want: You may find that jotting down a few notes about your tastings helps you recall what you liked about wines, or to find similarities in certain types of wines you’ve enjoyed. Your notes can be as simple as listing the wine type and winery, or can be more complex and cover the “five S” list of wines:
- See: Notice the color and clarity of the wine
- Swirl: Move the wine in your glass to release aromas. You may also notice that some fuller-bodied wines have “legs” that indicate higher alcohol of sugar content.
- Sniff: Note the bouquet of the wine and write down your impressions (chocolate, floral, berries, smoke, etc.)
- Sip: Take a small initial sip and notice your initial impressions.
- Savor: Enjoy your wine! See if it tastes different as you progress through your glass.
Enjoy yourself: Don’t take yourself too seriously…Wine tasting should be fun! It’s about trying new things and figuring out what you like. During each wine tasting, you’ll probably learn something new about your palate and what you like/dislike. You don’t have to enjoy every wine you try, but you should enjoy the experience.
If you’re ready to start diving into wine, or if you’re an experienced connoisseur, Johnson City is a great place to enjoy intimate wine tastings and explore all the Texas Hill Country has to offer for wine lovers. Download our “5 Things” guide for a handy listing of our in-town wineries, as well as other ideas for food, drinks, activities, and more in the area.
And, if you’re in the area for the first weekend of November, join us for Texas Wine Jam, the premier wine buying event in the Texas Hill Country. You’ll have the chance to taste wines from 26 Texas wineries, listen to wine experts share their knowledge, and enjoy live music in a charming Hill Country atmosphere.