Texas enclave is rivalling Napa with beautiful remote homes and the best kept secret wineries in the country
A sleepy Hill Country town with more than 75 wineries has caught the attention of Americans from all over the country.
Fredericksburg, Texas, has transformed into one of the state's most buzzed-about travel destinations for its wine production and stunning views of nature — and it's quickly become a rival to California's Napa Valley.
The town, which has also been compared to Aspen due to its wealthy clientele and beautiful mountain views, was founded in 1846 by German immigrants as part of the German settlement of Texas.
The town became known for its distinctive blend of Texas and German culture, with settlers maintaining their German traditions, language, and architecture while adapting to American culture.
'It's a quaint little town. You go there and you don't expect to get so much,' local realtor Cesar Amezcua told the Daily Mail.
'You have a Main Street that is full of high-end shops and great restaurants and wine tasting rooms. And now you're seeing five-star hotels being built. Full-on high-end luxury.'
Fredericksburg began as a modest winemaking region, but is now a paradise filled with local attractions like Enchanted Rock and spas that source their organic products locally.
'We used to go to the same two wineries — now I don't even know how many there are,' said Amezcua.
He says the wineries started popping up when land buyers realized the clay-like soil was ripe for growing grapes.
'The soil is fantastic. Beautiful reddish color. Very rich,' he added.
The Hill Country's year-round hot climate also helps.
The many wineries don't just offer tastings and events, they're also full experiences.
'They throw parties with live music,' Amezcua told the Daily Mail.
'Many are kid friendly. Some have full kitchens you can rent out. Now we have distilleries. We have breweries. You can just show up at noon and by 5pm you've done some real damage.'
There's even an urban wine trail visitors can follow for a day of tastings.
Many of the vineyards paired their own chef-prepared bites (like locally grown peaches) with the wines they produce.
Getting around the area to winery hop is easy and fun.
'There's little limos that take you around. You see the pink limos for the bachelorette parties,' Amezcua said. 'Then there's bus tours that take you from winery to winery.'
But Fredericksburg isn't just for wine lovers. There's something for every kind of visitor.
For families, there's a small waterpark and there are kid friendly games at many of the wineries.
'Mommy and daddy can go in and have some wine while the kids are splashing around,' he added.
The area is peppered with plenty of AirBnbs, tiny homes, and cabins for rent.
'There's places that have treehouses, beautiful, beautiful architecture out in the middle of nowhere,' he said.
Amezcua says investors and even celebrities are taking notice of the area and all it has to offer.
Peach Haus, which offers unique jams and jellies made from locally grown fresh fruits
'There's some high-powered families. A couple celebrities,' he said, hinting that Fredericksburg's proximity to Austin's star-studded scene is a draw.
Sandra Bullock and Willie Nelson have been spotted in the area, he added, but the A-listers can go unnoticed in its 'laid-back atmosphere.'
Beyond the wine and luxury, nature lovers will also find plenty to do, like climbing Enchanted Rock, a pink granite mountain located about 17 miles north of Fredericksburg.
'Enchanted Rock — if you're into that — it's incredible,' Amezcua said.
'We go once a year. My children love it. I go up there, I take a yoga mat and people make fun of me, but I just take a nap.'
Downtown, there are endless adventures to be found.
Fischer & Wieser's das Peach Haus, which offers unique jams and jellies made from fresh fruits picked in the region, is a popular spot for tourists.
With a local spa, restaurant, and peaceful cottages to stay in, the Hill Country Herb Garden is a luxurious retreat for visitors.
All 14 cottages have their own special themes and décor, along with a front porch with rocking chairs and a swing.
For history buffs, Fredericksburg's National Museum of the Pacific War displays preserved documents and art from World War II in the Pacific.
Visitors are invited to picnic in the town square, called Marktplatz, in celebration of the city's German history.
In the middle of the town square is Vereins Kirche, a replica of a 19th-century German church that is brightly lit with holiday lights from November through December.
Antique shops and stores with locally made goods line Main Street.
Local Texans love to make daytrips for the town's Oktoberfest.
Fredericksburg is only an hour-long drive from Austin and San Antonio and a four-hour drive from Dallas and Houston.
'It's a very nice weekend getaway,' said Amezcua.
Pleasant temperatures and wildflower season make March, April and May a prime time to visit.
Fredericksburg's well-known fall festivals, including the popular Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest, make fall the perfect season to visit.
'There's a lot of tourism — that's their number one product,' Amezcua. 'That's where they thrive.'
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