Fredericksburg, TX – (January 23, 2024) – Texas Hill Country Wineries (THCW) is proud to announce its 25th Anniversary, marking a quarter-century of promoting and elevating the Texas wine industry. Founded in 1999 with eight visionary winery members, THCW’s commitment to showcasing the best of Texas Hill Country’s wines remains steadfast.
The original wineries, including Becker Vineyards, Fall Creek Vineyards, Flat Creek Estate, Sister Creek Vineyard, Texas Hills Vineyards, Fredericksburg Winery, Grape Creek Vineyards and Spicewood Vineyards, continue to be integral members of THCW. From the outset, the association’s goal was to spotlight their wineries and tasting rooms while championing the excellence of Texas wines. The association’s core purpose remains unchanged—to foster the development of member wineries in the Texas Hill Country American Viticultural Area (AVA) and raise overall awareness of the Texas wine industry.
To celebrate this milestone, THCW has planned an anniversary party at Arch Ray in late June. This event will not only be a festive celebration for members but will also be open to the public. Additionally, THCW will engage followers with weekly giveaways on their Instagram account, and will share insights into the organization’s rich history.
One of THCW’s significant contributions to Texas wine tourism has been the creation of the wine trail passport events. Four of the five original events, Wine Lovers Celebration, Wine & Wildflowers Journey, Texas Wine Month Passport, and the Christmas Wine Affair, continue to be hosted by THCW, helping to draw over a million visitors to the region’s picturesque tasting rooms every year. In 2025, THCW will be expanding the passport events to include the Elevated Passport, which will take place from August 9th – 11th , where participating wineries will feature more than just tastings, including food and wine pairings, barrel tastings, verticals, and other unique experiences.
For the past nine years, the organization has hosted the Hill Country Wine Symposium. The three-day event offers a comprehensive exploration of various aspects of the wine industry, and this year’s focus will be Sustainability. The Symposium will take place from February 4-7 th at Horseshoe Bay Resort.
In line with their commitment to education, THCW established a scholarship fund in 2015, supporting Texas students pursuing degrees or certifications in Viticulture, Enology and Hospitality. To date, $90,000 has been awarded to 50 deserving students, contributing to the growth and development of the Texas wine community.
In addition, THCW has more recently been hosting traveling Road Shows in major Texas markets, including Austin, Houston, Fort Worth and San Antonio. In 2024, the Road Shows will take place in The Woodlands, just north of Houston, on April 18th and in San Antonio this fall. The organization also hosts quarterly wine pairing dinners at renowned restaurants and beautiful wineries, featuring member winemakers. This year, dinners will take place at Horseshoe Bay Resort, Hill & Vine and Carter Creek Winery Resort.
Reflecting on the association’s journey, January Wiese, Executive Director of Texas Hill Country Wineries, shared, “It’s been great to see the association grow and evolve since I became involved 15 years ago. I can’t wait to see more growth in our region and organization in the years to come.”
As Texas Hill Country Wineries celebrates 25 years of excellence, the organization looks forward to continuing their mission of promoting outstanding Texas wines and providing unforgettable experiences for wine enthusiasts. To learn more, visit www.texashillcountrywineries.org.
Texas Hill Country Wineries
Texas Hill Country Wineries (THCW) is a nonprofit community organization that preserves and promotes Texas Wines. The THCW contributes to the quality of life in and around the Texas Hill Country through its nationally recognized wine trails and events. Representing over 60 unique and independent wineries, THCW is committed to promoting industry advancement and consumer awareness through event and agricultural programs.
