texas

Austin, TX, is a must-visit for foodies, bar-hoppers and music lovers alike. It’s also home to one of our favorite events of the year – the Austin Food & Wine Festival!

A few folks from the Wine Sisterhood, the team behind Purple Cowboy wines, poured our wines at the Austin Food & Wine Festival earlier this month and brought back some great stories from the road, including quite a few recommendations on where to stop for a sip and bite to eat.

Here’s a recap of a few of the most memorable stops on their trip:

Expert grilling at the Austin Food & Wine Festival. Now that’s what we call rotisserie!

Lamb chops and sausages, too!

Who needs crackers when you have sausage?

Chef Tim Love’s Grilling seminar at the Austin Food & Wine Festival.

Our award-winning wine lineup!

Famous Franklin Barbecue—unfortunately closed on a Monday. Oh well, missed the three hour lines!

A break from shopping on South Congress Street, there’s always plenty of great people-watching to be had at Guero’s.

We polled Austinites on their favorite breakfast taco place and Juan in a Million came up a number of times as classic.

And you can see why…a fully-loaded breakfast taco that feeds a family of six. Pictured here, the Don Juan, from Juan in a Million.

Olamaie – Southern-inspired cooking with a modern farm-to-table spin. Everything seasonal and locally sourced. Perfect service and great wine list. Olamaie is named after four generations of “Olamaies” in Chef Michael Fojtasek’s family (mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother)—their portraits grace the wall of the restaurant’s foyer. Chefs Fojtasek & Grae Nonas have been named to Food & Wine Magazines Best New Chefs 2015 list. Insider tip: ask for the biscuits—they’re not on the menu!

Pelon’s Tequila Bar

Bartender: What kind of tequila do you want in your margarita?

Us: uuuuuuhhhhhhhh…

Home of Too Many Tequilas. Not that’s a bad thing.

Perla’s – Another fresh dining spot on South Congress. Seafood-centric.

The White Horse. We didn’t go here since it was on our 9am walk to get breakfast tacos but famous old-school watering hole.

The Wine Sisterhood team recently headed down to Texas for two big events: Around the World in 80 Sips Austin and Houston. They took their time between events and didn’t miss the opportunity to explore Texas wine country.

What they discovered were some exciting hidden treasures and not-to-miss eating and drinking establishments. If you’ve got 24 hours (or more) to spend in Texas Wine Country, here’s where we recommend stopping:

In and around Austin

Noble Sandwich Company – our favorite “destination” sandwich joint. Gotta try the Smoked Duck Pastrami Rueben, the Red Chile Braised Pork Cheek Sandwich and the Jalapeño Slaw. Next time we’re in town, we’re ordering the Fried Bologna Sandwich.

Friends and Neighbors – the coolest little vintage shop ever, featuring carefully curated vintage wear for ladies and kids, unique jewelry made by local artists, AND a coffee bar with tasty little treats and local wines and brews.

Pleasant Storage Company – tasty craft cocktail and rum bar. Named after a popular 1940s Havana joint, the menu features rum punch, rum-centric cocktails and Caribbean-inspired street food. Recommendations: the Chicharron de Pollo (rum-spiced chicken skin), Fried Conch Hush Puppies and Empanadas.

Texas Hill Country/Wine Country

Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-b-que – where “It’s all about the meat.” Here, meat is not priced by the serving, but by the pound. Order your meat outdoors and sides inside, then dig into your order on long picnic tables with shared condiments including extra-thin sliced white bread, squirtable margarine, hot sauce and a giant tub of jalapeños.

Becker Vineyards – one of the most well-known wineries of the region, featured in Wine Spectator and Food and Wine Magazine. Their Rhone-style wines hit the spot.

Grape Creek Vineyards – aka. “Tuscany in Texas.” This estate has won over 100 medals from San Francisco to New York. Our favorites were the Cabernet/Syrah and “Bellissimo” a Super-Tuscan style wine.

Fredericksburg Herb Farm – relax in charming cottages patterned after the historic Sunday house cottages unique to the area. These quaint cottages have all the amenities of the 21st century — including flat screen HD TV, high speed internet and sleep-in worthy beds.

Headed to Texas soon? Check out the Wine Sisterhood’s “Texas Forever” board for travel ideas.

Purple Cowboy Wines: Tenacious Red, Trail Boss Cabernet

Austin is for Food Lovers

24 Hours in Texas Wine Country