Wine Tours in New Braunfels, Tx
New Braunfels Wine Tours on a Party Bus:
That last part matters. Texas heat is not a minor inconvenience in June, July, or August. It is a full-day event planning problem that a party bus solves completely. Austin Nites Party Bus runs New Braunfels party bus wine tours for groups of 10 to 55 passengers, with door-to-door pickup from Austin, customizable winery itineraries, and a BYOB setup that turns the forty-five minute drive down I-35 into the first stop of the party. This guide covers every winery worth visiting near New Braunfels, four sample itineraries with timelines, pricing broken down by group size, the best time of year to go, and everything your group needs to know to pull off an unforgettable day in Texas wine country.
Why New Braunfels Is a Wine Tour Destination in Its Own Right
German heritage and vine roots
New Braunfels was founded on March 21, 1845 by German colonists led by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels. By 1850 it was the fourth-largest city in Texas. Those German settlers arrived carrying vine clippings from Europe, planting some of the earliest vineyards in the state that year. The winemaking tradition never died here. It just spent a hundred and fifty years waiting to grow up.
The region’s limestone soils, warm days, and cool nights mirror the growing conditions of southern France, northern Spain, and central Italy. That is not a coincidence. It is why you find Touriga Nacional, Mourvèdre, Tempranillo, and Albariño thriving in vineyards less than an hour from Austin rather than the generic Cabernet Sauvignon that dominates lesser wine regions.
Texas Hill Country AVA: the numbers
The Texas Hill Country AVA is the third-largest American Viticultural Area in the country at 9.6 million acres, behind only California’s North Coast and the Ohio River Valley. It encompasses more than 100 wineries. New Braunfels sits squarely inside its eastern edge, making it a genuine part of a world-class wine region, not a day-trip adjacent to one.
Texas wine tourism generated $503 million in direct local spending in 2024, drawing 2.64 million visitors to the state’s wine regions. Texas ranks second nationally in total wine industry economic impact behind only California, with 617 wine producers cultivating 14,034 acres of vineyards. New Braunfels wine tours tap directly into this boom with none of the crowds that have turned Fredericksburg’s Highway 290 into a weekend traffic situation.
Gruene Historic District
the bonus stop that seals the day
Gruene is pronounced Green. It was founded in 1872 by Henry D. Gruene and sits on fifteen walkable acres of original nineteenth-century buildings, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Gruene Hall, built in 1878, is the oldest continually operating dance hall in Texas. George Strait, Willie Nelson, and Garth Brooks played here before they were household names. Today it still has live music almost every night, free to enter, cold beer at the bar.
The Winery on the Gruene sits a five-minute walk from Gruene Hall. The Gristmill Restaurant has a tiered patio hanging over the Guadalupe River below. When you are doing New Braunfels wine tours right, you do not just hit vineyards. You end the afternoon in Gruene, pour one more glass, watch the river from the deck, and let the bus take care of the rest.
The Best Wineries Near New Braunfels: Full Profiles
Here is every winery worth building a New Braunfels party bus wine tour itinerary around, organized by
location and driving time from downtown New Braunfels.
New Braunfels and Gruene (0-10 minutes)
Winery on the Gruene
You step off the party bus, walk half a block through Gruene Historic District, and push open the door of a winery pouring ninety-five different wines on the premises. That is not a typo. Winery on the Gruene, located at 1308 Gruene Road, is a woman-owned boutique operation crafting everything from traditional Texas reds to fruit-infused wines, meads, ciders, sparkling bottles, and dessert ports, all made in-house.
The signature pour is the Dragon’s Breath jalapeño mead, which starts sweet and lands with a slow Texas heat that has nothing to do with the weather outside. The Blackberry Merlot sells out every season. The Peach Chardonnay is exactly what it sounds like, and it is somehow better than it has any right to be.
Tasting fee: $14.95 for four wines. Additional tastings $3.50 each. Upcharge $6 for a souvenir glass. Couples tasting package available at $45 through Spur Experiences (four wines each, one bottle, two glasses).
Why it works for a party bus stop: Walk-ins welcome every day of the week. No reservation headaches for your group. The outdoor picnic area handles 100+ people. The upstairs event space accommodates private tastings for up to twenty. And it is a five-minute walk from Gruene Hall, where the party continues for free after your last pour.
Dry Comal Creek Vineyards
Ten minutes from downtown New Braunfels on Highway 46, Dry Comal Creek Vineyards is the anchor of any serious New Braunfels wine tour. Founded in 1998 on 103 acres, it was one of the first Texas wineries to champion the Black Spanish grape (also called Lenoir), a thick-skinned variety that laughs at Texas heat and produces a structured, earthy red that wine drinkers from California are consistently surprised by.
Winemaker Seth Urbanek trained at Cornell, then spent time in France and Australia before coming home to Texas. His Herbelin Bordeaux Blend at $37 is the sleeper pick on the wine list. The Mourvèdre at $35 is the bolder, darker sibling. The frozen sangria is for the person in your group who maintains, with complete sincerity, that they do not like wine. Tasting fee: $25 per person for a seated tasting of five wines. Reservations available at 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm. Walk-ins accommodated when space permits. Groups of six or more should book ahead. Why it works for a party bus stop: Live music on weekends, food trucks on-site, and a shaded oak grove big enough to lose your group in for a full ninety minutes. The covered pavilion handles any weather. This is the stop where the group actually slows down, sits down, and starts to feel the day. Guadalupe Wine Trail: Dry Comal Creek is one of six wineries on the Guadalupe Wine Trail, a boutique self-guided trail running south from Fredericksburg through Comfort, Sisterdale, and into New Braunfels. The others include Singing Water Vineyards, Kerrville Hills Winery, Sister Creek Vineyards, Bending Branch Winery, and The Chisholm Trail Winery.
Water 2 Wine New Braunfels
Downtown New Braunfels, zero miles from city center, Water 2 Wine operates as a combination wine bar and micro-winery. They source grape must from vineyards worldwide and craft more than fifty varietals in small batches on-site, which means the wine you taste today was actually made in that building. The wines are low-sulfite and low-histamine, which matters more to some groups than the wine list itself.
The garden patio is an excellent bonus stop if your itinerary starts in downtown before heading out to the vineyards, or as a wind-down finale stop after a Gruene circuit. They pair with small bites from 7 Monks and charcuterie from Otto’s Cheese Shop next door.
Canyon Lake Area (15-25 minutes)
La Cruz de Comal Wines
Twenty minutes from downtown New Braunfels, perched above the Guadalupe River Valley with views that most Hill Country wineries charge a premium to approximate, La Cruz de Comal is where serious wine drinkers on your group will tap you on the shoulder and say they want to come back here alone, on a Tuesday, with no one else around.
Owner and winemaker Lewis Dickson practices minimal-intervention natural winemaking: wild yeast fermentation, zero added acid, sugar, or concentrates, no sulfites, never filters his reds. His estate Blanc du Bois is the clearest expression of the grape grown in Texas conditions. The Touriga Nacional, blended with twenty-five percent Black Spanish, is a deep, tannic red that should not work but absolutely does.
Tasting fee: $15 per person. Weekday appointments and after 6pm on weekends. Worth calling ahead for groups.
Why it works for a party bus stop: The views alone justify the twenty-minute drive. Dickson is a storyteller. The production is small enough that what you taste today will be gone by next month.
Fawncrest Vineyard and Pontita Vineyard
Both sit in the Canyon Lake area within twenty-five minutes of New Braunfels and represent the intimate end of Texas wine touring. Fawncrest is a mom-and-pop estate with 350 hybrid Cabernet Sauvignon vines and panoramic Canyon Lake views. Tastings have historically been complimentary on Saturdays. Pontita, founded in 2013, specializes in Riesling and sparkling wine and supports the Crisis Center of Comal County with every bottle sold. These are the stops that fill in a Canyon Lake loop itinerary between the bigger anchor wineries.
Driftwood and Wimberley Area (35-45 minutes)
Duchman Family Winery
Forty minutes from New Braunfels, Duchman is the most visually dramatic winery in the Driftwood cluster. HGTV named it one of the Top 20 Most Picturesque Wineries in America. The Tuscan villa architecture is not affectation. It reflects the Italian grape varieties the Duchman family has been growing from one hundred percent Texas fruit for two decades. More than 100 international competition medals later, the Vermentino is still the wine that converts skeptics.
Tasting fee: $15 for a guided tasting of six wines. Reservations recommended on weekends. The tasting room looks through floor-to-ceiling windows onto a twenty-acre vineyard, which is the correct way to drink Sangiovese.
Driftwood Estate Winery
Adults only, 21 and strictly enforced, Driftwood Estate sits on a hilltop bluff with a 1,100 square foot deck cantilevered over the view. The estate vineyard was the first commercial vineyard in Hays County, planted in 1998.
Their Longhorn Red won Top Texas Wine at the Houston International Wine Competition. The Driftwood Bistro operates Friday through Sunday with a full menu.
Tasting fee: $25 for six wines with a souvenir glass.
Wimberley Valley Winery
Operating since 1983, Wimberley Valley is one of the oldest Texas Hill Country wineries and the most entertaining stop on any Driftwood itinerary. They converted a vintage double-decker bus into an outdoor wine bar. There are miniature donkeys and ponies. Lone Man Mountain Brewing Co. shares the property. Live music runs Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 5pm. Wood-fired pizza comes out of the on-site food truck.
Tasting fee: $20 for five wines guided by wine educators. Dog-friendly outdoors. Reservations highly recommended Saturdays and for groups of six or more.
Salt Lick Cellars
The name is no accident. Salt Lick Cellars sits directly next to the legendary Salt Lick BBQ on FM 1826 in Driftwood. The pairing writes itself. Thirty-five acres of estate vineyard, Tempranillo and Mourvèdre as the backbone of the program, and a BBQ Red and BBQ White blend clearly designed to answer the question of what you drink with a brisket plate.
The party bus logistics here are simple: wine at Salt Lick Cellars, then walk next door to Salt Lick BBQ, which is BYOB and allows you to bring the bottle you just purchased. Repeat as needed. This combination, wine tasting followed by world-class Texas BBQ, is the single most requested itinerary add-on for groups coming from Austin.
Tasting fee: Approximately $10 to $12 for five or six wines. Open seven days a week.
Four Party Bus Wine Tour Itineraries from Austin to New Braunfels
Every Austin Nites wine tour itinerary is customizable. These four sample routes cover the most popular
configurations based on group size, desired vibe, and total tour length.
The Gruene Local Circuit (4-5 hours, best for first-timers)
This is the perfect entry-level New Braunfels wine tour for groups looking to stay close to the Historic Gruene District while enjoying wine tastings, live music, and a relaxing afternoon atmosphere. With minimal driving between stops, this itinerary focuses on convenience, walkability, and classic Texas Hill Country charm.
10:00 AM – Departure
Party bus departs from Austin or your New Braunfels pickup location. Bring your favorite BYOB champagne, mimosas, and playlists for the 45-minute ride down I-35.
10:45 AM – Dry Comal Creek Vineyards
Enjoy a seated tasting of five wines under the covered pavilion surrounded by beautiful live oak trees. Food trucks typically begin serving around 11:00 AM. Recommended stop time: 90 minutes.
12:15 PM – Drive to Historic Gruene
Short drive into the Gruene Historic District with parking near Gruene Park.
12:30 PM – Winery on the Gruene
Relax with walk-in tastings featuring more than 95 wine selections, plus an outdoor picnic area perfect for groups. Recommended stop time: 60–75 minutes.
1:45 PM – The Grapevine Wine Bar
Optional stop for a final glass of wine, charcuterie boards, and a cozy wine bar atmosphere in the heart of Gruene.
2:30 PM – Gristmill Restaurant
Optional patio lunch overlooking the Guadalupe River with classic Texas Hill Country views.
3:30 PM – Gruene Hall
Wrap up the afternoon at the legendary Gruene Hall with live music, cold drinks, and authentic Texas dance hall vibes before heading home.
5:00 PM – Return Trip
Party bus departs for Austin with cold A/C, remaining BYOB beverages, and group singalongs inspired by whatever was playing at Gruene Hall.
Estimated Tasting Fees Per Person:
Dry Comal Creek Vineyards: $25
Winery on the Gruene: $14.95
Estimated Total: Approximately $40 per person, not including additional wine purchases, food, or gratuity.
The Canyon Lake Wine Loop (5 hours, best for intimate groups)
Boutique and scenic, this New Braunfels wine tour route winds through the Canyon Lake area for smaller, more personal tasting experiences paired with stunning Hill Country views at nearly every stop. Perfect for groups looking for a relaxed atmosphere, beautiful scenery, and unique local wines.
10:30 AM – Departure
Party bus departs from Austin with a full BYOB setup, music, and a relaxing ride into the Texas Hill Country.
11:15 AM – Dry Comal Creek Vineyards
Enjoy a seated tasting experience featuring locally produced wines, weekend live music, and food trucks in a peaceful vineyard setting. Recommended stop time: 75 minutes.
12:30 PM – La Cruz de Comal Wines
Take in breathtaking Canyon Lake rim views while tasting small-production wines crafted with a natural winemaking approach, including their signature Touriga Nacional. Recommended stop time: 60 minutes.
1:30 PM – Pontita Vineyard & Winery
Relax with sparkling wines, Riesling favorites, and panoramic vineyard scenery at this charming boutique winery. Recommended stop time: 45 minutes.
2:15 PM – Fawncrest Vineyard (Saturdays Only)
Enjoy an intimate estate tasting experience overlooking Canyon Lake with a quiet, laid-back Hill Country atmosphere.
3:15 PM – Historic Gruene Stop
Head into Historic Gruene for late-afternoon drinks, shopping, or an optional dinner at the famous Gristmill Restaurant overlooking the Guadalupe River.
5:00 PM – Return Trip
Party bus departs for Austin with cold A/C, remaining BYOB drinks, and a relaxing ride home after a full day of Texas wine country experiences.
The Driftwood Wine Country Run (6-7 hours, best for serious wine groups)
This is the ultimate full-day premium wine tour experience, featuring the award-winning Driftwood winery region before ending the evening in Historic Gruene for dinner and live music. Perfect for groups wanting a full Texas Hill Country experience with scenic views, top-rated wineries, and unforgettable atmosphere throughout the day.
9:30 AM – Departure
Party bus departs from Austin with BYOB drinks, coffee, music, and a relaxing ride through the Hill Country. An optional scenic route through Wimberley adds even more beautiful views at no additional cost.
10:15 AM – Wimberley Valley Winery
Start the day at one of the Hill Country’s most unique wineries featuring a double-decker bus bar, wood-fired pizza, live music on Saturdays, and even mini donkeys roaming the property. Recommended stop time: 90 minutes.
11:45 AM – Duchman Family Winery
Enjoy one of Texas wine country’s most picturesque vineyard settings, known for its Italian-style architecture and award-winning Italian varietals. Guests can experience a six-wine tasting while overlooking the beautiful vineyard grounds. Recommended stop time: 75 minutes.
1:00 PM – Salt Lick Cellars
Sample five wine tastings before heading next door to the famous Salt Lick BBQ for an optional BYOB Texas brisket lunch experience. Recommended stop time: 90 minutes.
2:30 PM – Driftwood Estate Winery
Relax at this adults-only hilltop winery offering panoramic Hill Country views, six-wine tastings, and favorites like the Longhorn Red blend. Recommended stop time: 60 minutes.
3:30 PM – Historic Gruene Stop
The tour continues toward Historic Gruene for optional dinner at the legendary Gristmill Restaurant followed by live music and drinks at the iconic Gruene Hall.
6:00 PM – Return Trip
Party bus departs for Austin with cold A/C, remaining BYOB beverages, music, and memories from a full day exploring Texas wine country.
Estimated Tasting Fees Per Person:
Wimberley Valley Winery: $20
Duchman Family Winery: $15
Salt Lick Cellars: Approximately $12
Driftwood Estate Winery: $25
Estimated Total: Approximately $72 per person in tasting fees before additional wine purchases, food, or gratuity.
The Best of Both Worlds (5-6 hours, most popular)
This is the wine tour route most groups end up choosing because it perfectly combines the best New Braunfels-area wineries with a premium Driftwood winery stop before finishing the afternoon in Historic Gruene. It offers the ideal balance of wine tastings, live music, Hill Country scenery, and a relaxed schedule that gets everyone back to Austin before the evening.
10:00 AM – Departure
Party bus departs from Austin with BYOB drinks, music, and a comfortable ride into Texas Hill Country wine country.
10:45 AM – Driftwood Winery Stop
Choose between Duchman Family Winery or Wimberley Valley Winery, two of the most popular wineries in the Driftwood region. Enjoy award-winning wines, beautiful vineyard scenery, and a relaxing Hill Country atmosphere. Recommended stop time: 75–90 minutes.
12:15 PM – Dry Comal Creek Vineyards
Experience a seated wine tasting featuring local favorites, food trucks, and their signature Black Spanish wine pour under the shaded pavilion. Recommended stop time: 75 minutes.
1:30 PM – Winery on the Gruene
Head into Historic Gruene for a casual walk-in tasting experience featuring a wide variety of wines and a lively outdoor atmosphere. Recommended stop time: 60 minutes.
2:30 PM – Historic Gruene Experience
Spend the afternoon enjoying live music at the legendary Gruene Hall or relaxing with a late lunch at Gristmill Restaurant overlooking the Guadalupe River.
4:30 PM – Return Trip
Party bus departs for Austin with cold A/C, remaining BYOB drinks, and a relaxing ride home after a full afternoon in Texas wine country.
Every Austin Nites itinerary is customized around your group’s schedule and preferences. Simply tell us your group size, preferred vibe, and any hard stop times. We handle the route planning, parking, and driving — you handle the wine and the memories.
The Ultimate New Braunfels Bachelorette Wine Tour Weekend
New Braunfels is one of the most legitimately great bachelorette party destinations in Texas. Not because it is trying to be one. Because the combination of what already exists here, wine tasting, river tubing, historic dance halls, boutique shopping, and Hill Country views, lands exactly right for a bachelorette weekend that does not feel like it was assembled from a checklist.
Why New Braunfels beats Austin for a bachelorette wine tour
Sample bachelorette weekend itinerary
Friday evening
Saturday
Sunday
What to book in advance
Two to three months out for a bachelorette wine tour weekend in New Braunfels during peak season, which runs April through October. The VRBO properties on the rivers book the fastest. The party bus is next. Winery reservations, especially for groups of six or more at Dry Comal Creek and Wimberley Valley, need two to four weeks minimum. Gruene Hall is walk-in only and free, which is the most anxiety-reducing thing about the entire weekend. Austin Nites handles parties of 10 to 55 passengers. Bachelorette groups in the 12-20 person range are the sweet spot for our mid-size fleet. Call 512-825-4032 to lock in your date before it disappears.
What Is Included on a Party Bus New Braunfels Wine Tour
If you have never booked a party bus wine tour before, here is exactly
what you are getting and what you are not, so there are no surprises at checkout.
What Austin Nites provides on every wine tour
- Professional, licensed chauffeur with knowledge of Hill Country wine routes
- Door-to-door pickup and drop-off at your Austin or New Braunfels location
- Ice-cold air conditioning in every vehicle — non-negotiable in Texas summer
- Onboard BYOB setup: coolers, ice, cups (bring your own alcohol)
- LED lighting and premium Bluetooth sound system throughout the bus
- Leather wraparound seating for the full group
- Custom itinerary built around your group’s preferences and schedule
- Flexible stop timing — linger at the winery you love, skip the one you already know
What is not included
- Tasting fees (see the winery profiles above — budget $20 to $75 per person depending on your route)
- Alcohol for the bus (BYOB means you bring it, which is also how you control the wine list)
- Food at wineries (most have food trucks or partner restaurants; pack a cooler for the bus)
- Gratuity (20% is standard for your driver and is deeply appreciated)
Party bus wine tour pricing: breaking it down
Austin Nites party bus rates run $125 to $300 per hour depending on vehicle size and day of week.
Wine tours typically run four to seven hours depending on your route.
Here is how that pencils out per person:
*All-in includes bus + estimated tasting fees + 20% driver gratuity. Does not include wine purchases or food.
The math is what makes a party bus wine tour rational rather than just fun. For a group of twenty people doing a five-hour tour, the bus runs approximately $55 per person. Add tasting fees of $40 to $70 and gratuity and you are looking at $110 to $145 per person all-in for a full day of wine country, door to door, with no one worrying about who is driving.
When to book for an austin party bus to New Braunfels
The best Austin party bus dates for New Braunfels wine tours book out two to four weeks ahead in shoulder season and two to three months ahead for bachelorette weekends in spring and fall. October is Texas Wine Month, with 20+ Hill Country wineries running passport programs. Call 512-825-4032 or book online through our FareHarbor link to lock in your date.
Best Time of Year for New Braunfels Wine Tours
Spring (March – May): The Favorite Season
Spring is widely considered the best time for wine tours.
- Bluebonnets bloom along highways from late March through mid-April
- Temperatures range from 65°F to 85°F
- Wildflowers cover the Hill Country landscape
- The Texas Wine & Wildflower Journey runs through April with special winery events
Vineyards are green and active, and the scenery is at its most iconic—making it the most photographed season in Texas.
Fall (September – November): Harvest & Festivals
Fall brings harvest season and some of the biggest local events of the year.
- Vineyards are in peak harvest mode
- The Gruene Music & Wine Festival runs in October (2025 dates: Oct 9–12), featuring Texas music and regional wineries
- Wurstfest follows in early November, attracting over 240,000 visitors to New Braunfels
- October is also Texas Wine Month, with 20+ wineries offering passport stamp programs across the Hill Country
During this time, your party bus wine tour can easily double as part of a larger wine trail experience.
Summer (June – August): Peak Tourism & Party Season
Summer is hot, busy, and built for group experiences.
New Braunfels is known as the Tubing Capital of Texas, home to the spring-fed Comal River and Schlitterbahn Waterpark. Canyon Lake is also just minutes away, making the area a full summer destination.
For wine tours in summer, a party bus is essential:
- High temperatures regularly exceed 100°F
- Wineries are spread out and not walkable
- Ice-cold A/C and BYOB transport become part of the experience
Many groups combine a morning wine tour with an afternoon on the river or lake for a full-day itinerary.
Winter (December – February): Off-Season Value
Winter is quieter, more relaxed, and more budget-friendly.
- Fewer crowds at wineries
- Party bus pricing often drops 15–25%
- Holiday Wine Trail runs the first two weekends of December with collectible winery ornaments
- Local events like Wassailfest and Weihnachtsmarkt bring strong German Christmas traditions to life
Cool weather, cozy tasting rooms, and bold Texas reds make winter wine tours unexpectedly enjoyable.
Honest Comparison
New Braunfels Wine Tours vs. Fredericksburg
The most common question from first-time wine tour bookers in Austin is whether they should go to Fredericksburg or New Braunfels.
The honest answer depends on what your group actually wants.
Choose New Braunfels wine tours if
Choose Fredericksburg if
Do both
For the I-35 corridor group looking to combine wine, culture, and Texas character without a five-hour round-trip drive, the New Braunfels party bus wine tour is the move. It is closer, it is less crowded, and the wineries, particularly Dry Comal Creek, La Cruz de Comal, and Duchman, are producing wines that compete with anything on Wine Road 290.
12 Insider Tips for a Perfect New Braunfels Wine Tour
1. Call ahead for groups of six or more. Dry Comal Creek, Wimberley Valley, and La Cruz de Comal all ask for advance notice for larger parties. Walk-ins are fine at Winery on the Gruene and Water 2 Wine, but a phone call for any winery on your list takes three minutes and prevents a surprise.
2. Budget for tasting fees separately. They are not included in party bus pricing. Average $20 to $70 per person depending on route. Some wineries comp the fee with a bottle purchase.
3. Pack a cooler with water. Texas heat is real, tasting fees are on top of bus costs, and dehydration makes a 98-degree September afternoon much less fun. Every Austin Nites bus has cooler space. Your BYOB should include water alongside the Prosecco.
4. Most wineries are adults only. Driftwood Estate is 21 and strictly enforced. Dry Comal Creek is 21+. La Cruz de Comal is adults only. Plan accordingly if anyone in your group has children in tow.
5. Fawncrest is Saturdays only. And you should call ahead before adding it to a Canyon Lake loop.
6. Salt Lick BBQ is BYOB. Meaning you can carry the bottle you just purchased at Salt Lick Cellars right through the door. This is not a coincidence. It is a blessing.
7. Gruene Hall charges no cover. Live music, historic Texas atmosphere, zero admission. This is the correct way to end a wine tour.
8. Tipping your driver 20% is standard. Budget for it up front rather than scrambling for cash at drop-off. The easiest calculation: take the total bus cost and multiply by 0.20.
9. October is peak wine touring season. Book the party bus first, then the wineries. Do not assume dates are available in October without a reservation.
10. The scenic route from Austin through Driftwood adds maybe 20 minutes. For a full-day Driftwood circuit, ask your driver to take FM 150 through Wimberley instead of the straight shot on I-35. The views through the Hill Country on that road are the unofficial first stop of the tour.
11. Bring snacks. The bus is BYOB and there is nothing worse than arriving at winery three with low blood sugar and a full tasting ahead. Charcuterie from Central Market before departure is a fifteen-minute investment that saves the afternoon.
12. The Winery on the Gruene has ninety-five wines. Give yourself permission to stand in front of that tasting menu for five minutes before you decide. The jalapeño mead is a conversation piece regardless of whether you enjoy it.
New Braunfels Wine Tours: Frequently Asked Questions
How many wineries are near New Braunfels, TX?
Can you do wine tours without going to Fredericksburg?
Do you need reservations for New Braunfels wineries?
How much does a New Braunfels party bus wine tour cost?
Is New Braunfels a good destination for a bachelorette party?
What is included in an Austin Nites party bus wine tour?
Can the bus pick up in New Braunfels instead of Austin?
How far in advance should I book a party bus wine tour?
What is the Guadalupe Wine Trail?
How many wineries can you realistically visit in one day?
Is there a wine tour that combines wine and BBQ in the New Braunfels area?
Salt Lick Cellars in Driftwood sits directly adjacent to the legendary Salt Lick BBQ, which is BYOB. You taste five or six Texas wines at the winery, purchase a bottle of your favorite, and walk next door to eat brisket and sausage while drinking what you just picked. This combination is consistently the most requested add-on itinerary element for Austin Nites wine tour groups, and it is an easy forty-minute drive from New Braunfels.