The great weather and glorious natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country are only surpassed by the charm of its small towns. An excellent example of this is the community of Fredericksburg, located about two hours west of MorningStar. The city’s fascinating history, combined with its family-friendly attractions make it an ideal day trip for MorningStar residents.
Fredericksburg was founded on May 8, 1846 by German immigrants under the “Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas.” John O. Meusebach chose the location for the second of the Society’s colonies four miles north of the Pedernales River between two creeks. He named the settlement Friedrichsburg (later changed to Fredericksburg) to honor Prince Frederick of Prussia.
Many of the early settlers were farmers and soon realized that there was something special about the soil in this region. In addition to corn for livestock and other vegetables, the land in the Texas Hill Country was composed of the ideal nutrients that, when combined with the climate of the area, made it perfect for growing grapes.
About 150 years later, wine makers from around the world discovered the soil and climate of the Texas Hill Country around Fredericksburg, and now this region is second only to Napa Valley in terms of the production of many varieties of exemplary wine. With more than 50 wineries in the the area, a dozen wine tour companies, a wine shuttle and the ever-growing number of downtown wineries and wine tasting rooms in the delightful downtown, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Texas Wine Country during a visit to the city.
Traveling the “Urban Wine Trail”
Since there are vineyards and wineries throughout the Texas HIll Country, it is easy for a visitor to the area to literally and figuratively get a “taste” of these fine wines. However, for a day trip to the city of Fredericksburg, the best experience might involve hopping on a shuttle to sample the wineries that are located in the community. For that, the “Urban Wine Trail” is perfect.
Visitors can explore Fredericksburg’s Urban Wine Trail with stops at downtown wineries and wine tasting rooms owned by Fredericksburg wineries, all within walking distance to historic areas, unique shops and boutiques, or a charming B&B or hotel. As an added bonus, visitors can take a glass of wine (or beer) “to go” and enjoy it while strolling through favorite shops in the downtown historic district.
Some fun stops along the trail include:
Fat Ass Ranch and Winery on Main
An excellent way to plan a day trip from MorningStar to Fredericksburg is to download an itinerary available from the city.
Enjoy a Balanced LIfe
Residents of MorningStar, a master-planned community located north of Austin, have so many fun-filled activities that no other area can even approach. It is centrally located to be in close proximity to a thriving employment center in Austin and the low-key “chill” of the Texas Hill Country.
Come see why more people have discovered the easy living of MorningStar.