A bit off of the beaten path, visiting one of our wineries gives you the perfect excuse to take in the beautiful Texas countryside and enjoy time on the road with a loved one.

The brave will conquer several wineries in one day on one of our annual WOW Road Trips, but if you like to take a slower pace, here are some tips to have a pleasant visit during a road trip of your own.

My first tip is to embrace the social life of a small southern town and to let them welcome you with their southern charm. During my day trip to Lampasas, Texas, I spent some time in the downtown before venturing out to Texas Legato Winery and Pillar Bluff Vineyards. Each person I met was very friendly and prompted conversation with me. Like most downtown areas in Texas, Lampasas has a few antiques and collectibles shops that are fun to take a look at. The talk of the town is Eve’s Cafe, a German restaurant. The owner was out for a holiday and all around town the locals and visitors were disappointed that Eve’s was not open for lunch.

The first winery I visited was Texas Legato Winery, owned by Sulynn and Bill Bledsoe. I was welcomed in by the Tasting Room & Wine Club Manager, Amanda Black, who is one of the friendliest people I have met. I enjoyed a conversation with her while she gave me a flight of their sweet wines. Amanda has worked for the Bledsoes for a long time and most people assume she is their daughter based on how close she is with the family and her knowledge of the business.

Texas tastes good! The Way Out Wineries use 100% Texas grown grapes.

My second tip is to talk with the owners. During my tasting with Amanda, Sulynn was enjoying a conversation at a table with a couple while Bill was taking care of a few tasks. When I introduced myself they both welcomed me to their family business. While I was enjoying my last tasting they both engaged in a fun conversation with me and my guest who joined me. Once I was done with my tasting, they treated me with their delectable blueberry wine liquid-filled chocolates. A box of those could be very dangerous in my hands!

Sulynn, Bill, and Amanda were some of the funniest people I have met. While I loved the wine, chocolates, and the beautiful views of the vineyard, my favorite part was enjoying the time I spent there with strangers who felt like family.

Speaking of family, just adjacent to Texas Legato is Bill’s twin brother, Gill Bledsoe, and his winery Pillar Bluff Vineyards. Bill originally learned how to run a winery from working alongside Gill. I could tell that comradery runs in the family, as I enjoyed my time with Gill just as much as I enjoyed my time with Bill (don’t tell Bill though- he may get jealous).

Gill made a lovely patio area out of an old horse round-pen! The lovely crepe myrtle trees and greenery made a beautiful area for sitting outside.

Gill gave me a tour of his winery and shared stories of his time as a winemaker and winery owner. To top off the trip, he invited me to stay after closing for a series of blind tastings that he was hosting to help a friend in her studies to complete a tasting certification.

Everyone was very welcoming and we all enjoyed conversating while trying to guess the different aromas, palates, and origins of the wines. Gill was a marvelous host and we all ended the night with a hug around the neck and a glass of wine to take home!

Gill was by far the best at deciphering the different aromas and palates, but he made sure to let everyone make their guesses and encouraged us that there were no bad guesses!

My trip to Lampasas taught me that the joy of visiting a family owned and operated winery is the high quality level of hospitality. Plus some very tasty wine! If you are new to tasting wine, or very experienced, the people who host you will make the biggest impression on your visit.

Perks of Visiting a Way Out Winery