_{They say that everything’s bigger in Texas, and while the state’s wine industry may not be in the same league as California, Washington or Oregon, it certainly has come a long way in a short amount of time.}

_{Wine production in the Fredericksburg region dates back to the original settlers who used the native mustang grape to produce wines. Today, clocking in at a whopping 9 million acres, the Texas Hill Country wine area is the largest in Texas.}

_{Located around where we are staying in Fredericksburg, modern winemakers realized that the landscape comprising largely of low, rolling hills and steep canyons with the highest elevations being around 2100 feet were ideal for growing grapes. Drought is relatively less of a problem here with the region receiving some 24-28 inches of rainfall annually (just 200 miles east where we live, our annual rainfall is 55 inches) but winemakers can be challenged by spring frosts and hail (literally the size of golf balls).}

_{There are some 40 wineries and tasting rooms in and Fredericksburg and “Happy Days” should be here again! However, because of the virus, the vineyards and tasting rooms have very limited opening hours and we have yet to make it across the threshold of one! But when we do, the first one will be the “Fat Ass Ranch and Winery” – only Texans could give a vineyard such a name!}

_{Vines are a sight seen everywhere in and around town! Here in Fredericksburg, the main wine varieties are Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Merlot and Pinot Noir.}