Wine Tours
Wine Tours begin at Spec’s at 5139 Richmond Avenue, Houston, Texas 77056, between Post Oak Boulevard to the east and Sage Road to the west. (832) 518-2850.
We conduct wine tours throughout the year. Arguably the best times to go are in early April when the bluebonnets are generally in bloom and the weather is moderate, and the latter part of October, when the temperatures have generally cooled. October has been designated by the state as Texas wine month. A number of wineries have grape stomps in July and August that are great fun, but beware of the heat.
Time Considerations:
Please keep in mind that none of these wineries are in Houston. A minimum of over 230 miles and 3 hours will be spent driving to, amongst, and from the wineries.
- Houston to Plantersville is 66.1 miles/106.4 kilometers. It is approximately a 1.25-hour drive.
- Houston to Navasota is 72.4 miles/116.5 kilometers. It is approximately a 1.3-hour drive.
- Houston to Brenham is 73.2 miles/117.8 kilometers. It is approximately a 1.25-hour drive.
- Houston to College Station is 99.6 miles/160.3 kilometers. It is approximately a 1.6-hour drive.
- Houston to Burton is 85.5 miles/137.6 kilometers. It is approximately a 1.6-hour drive.
- Houston to Waller is 43.2 miles/69.5 kilometers. It is approximately a 0.8-hour drive.
- Waller to Brenham is 34.2 miles/55.0 kilometers. It is approximately a 0.67-hour drive.
- Brenham to Bryan is 52.1 miles/83.9 kilometers. It is approximately a 1.0-hour drive.
- Brenham to Burton is 12.6 miles/20.3 kilometers. It is approximately a 0.33-hour drive.
- Plantersville to Navasota is 15.4 miles/24.8 kilometers. It is approximately a 0.33–hour drive.
For groups of 6 or more people, we make available popular movies with wine themes to watch to and from our destinations.
Tour A
This is the shortest tour. It is 6 hours. This tour has 2 wineries. ernhardt Winery is a small mom and pop boutique winery that can produce approximately 6,000 gallons of wine each year. Retreat Hill is a start-up winery that began operations in August 2009. You will have 11 wines to taste. These wineries are primarily located north by northwest from Houston.
Tour B
This tour takes you to 2 wineries: Pleasant Hill Winery and Windy Winery. It is 8 hours. You will have approximately 14 wines to taste. You will have a tour at Pleasant Hill Winery and a presentation at Windy Winery. You will have time to shop in historic downtown Brenham, which is located northwest from Houston. You may be light-headed, flush, and feeling warm by the end of the tour.
Tour C
This tour is one of the two most popular wine tours. It is 9 hours. This tour is the same as Tour B with an additional stop and hour. Besides visiting 2 wineries, Pleasant Hill Winery and Windy Winery, we begin by visiting the Blue Bell Creameries on Mondays through Saturdays. Blue Bell tours are only on Monday through Friday. Blue Bell is totally closed on Sundays. Its gift shop and ice cream parlor are open on Saturdays. It has, perhaps, the best ice cream in Texas. All of the locations are in Brenham.
Tour D
This tour includes 3 wineries in 2 different cities. It is 9 hours. This tour includes the same 2 wineries from Tour B and adds Colony Cellars in Waller or Saddlehorn Winery in Burton. You will have at least 15 wines to taste, the most of any of the tours. You may sleep on the return trip by the end of the tour. Hopefully, you do not snore.
Tour E
This tour includes 3 wineries in 2 different cities. It is 10.5 hours. This tour includes the Brenham wineries and one of the most impressive wineries and resorts in Texas: Messina Hof Winery & Resort. Messina Hof is the furthest winery of the ones that we visit for a day tour. This winery is larger than most of the other wineries combined and is recognized as one of the best in Texas. Its wines have won several awards. You will taste at least 14 wines and receive 1 souvenir glass at Messina Hof.
Tour F
This tour is one of the two most popular tours. It is 12 hours. This tour also includes 3 wineries in 2 different cities and the Blue Bell Creameries. It includes the Brenham wineries and one of the most impressive wineries and resorts in Texas: Messina Hof Winery & Resort. You will taste at least 14 wines and receive 1 souvenir glass at Messina Hoff. This tour can be conducted only on Friday or Saturday.
Videos and Music: We offer about one-half dozen wine related popular films and music to watch and to listen on the way to and from the wineries.
Lunch:
With the exception of Tour A, lunch is normally at Must Be Heaven Sandwich Shoppe. This cute sandwich and soup restaurant has many antiques and memorabilia. The price is about $8.00 to $12.00. It is 1 block off the town square of Brenham. Several antique, clothing, and handicraft stores are within walking distance.
Tour A’s lunch site is a hole in wall bar-be-que restaurant.
Eating or Smoking on the Transportation:
Prohibited.
Beverages on the Transportation:
Non-alcoholic drinks are welcome. All drinks should have a cover, cap, or lid to reduce or prevent spillage. A $200 deposit, of which $100 is non-refundable, is to be paid 30 days in advance if anyone wants to drink alcohol on a car, van, or bus.
