USA — wine

Texas Hill Country

America's second-largest wine AVA by area and the heart of the Texas wine industry, in the limestone hills west of Austin. Texas Hill Country is pioneering Spanish and Mediterranean varieties in the American Southwest: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mourvèdre, Viognier, and Rhone blends thrive in the limestone soils and warm, dry climate. The Hill Country has experienced explosive growth since the 1990s, transforming from a regional curiosity to a nationally recognised wine destination.

Year Rating Notes
2023 Good Hill Country growing season; Tempranillo and Viognier of reliable character and improving quality
2022 Outstanding vintage for Texas; finest Tempranillo and Rhone blends in recent memory
2021 Winter storm Uri disrupted early season but warm summer recovery produced reliable fruit
2020 Good growing season; Hill Country Spanish varieties at confident, food-friendly quality
2019 Benchmark Texas vintage; critical recognition growing for Hill Country as a serious wine region