Follow This Winery-Studded Trail Through Texas’s Underrated Wine Region
Explore the Texas High Plains Wine Trail for reds, whites, and rewards.
Fredericksburg may get more national attention and tourism, and it certainly has more Instagrammable Airbnbs, but the Texas wine industry has roots in the High Plains, a sprawling region that encompasses parts of North Texas and the Panhandle.
The Texas High Plains is a recognized American Viticultural Area (AVA), and its elevated, arid terrain is responsible for about 85% of the grapes grown in Texas. There’s a decent chance that the Texas wine you’re drinking contains at least some High Plains grapes, even if it’s based elsewhere. All that to say, it’s probably time the region got its own wine trail.
The Texas High Plains Wine Trail officially launched in early April. The initiative is meant to shine a light on the area’s wineries while offering locals and visitors incentives to experience said wineries.
There are currently 10 wineries making up the trail, plus two annual wine festivals: Uncorked and Texas Wine, Hops & Shops. The latter of which brings live music, local vendors, and plenty of drinks to McPherson Cellars. Both take place in April, so watch for them next year.
Visit Lubbock rep McKenna Dowdle said that the fledgling trail is growing, and more wineries are being added. They’re also in the process of partnering with more local events, like the First Friday Arts Trail, a self-guided art tour through the Lubbock Cultural District held on the first Friday of each month.
Llano Estacado and McPherson Cellars are the two biggest names in the region, and they come from the first-family of Texas wine. Llano Estacado was founded by Clinton “Doc” McPherson, who planted some of the area’s first grapes in the 1960s, and the McPherson Cellars label was started in 2000 by his son.
“Here, the legacy lives on through generations of talented winemakers,” said Dowdle. “Throughout the Wine Trail, guests will have the opportunity to taste the High Plains through each sip of award-winning wine while learning more about the industry.”
Other High Plains wine trail participants include English Newsom Cellars, Burklee Hill Vineyards, Bingham Family Vineyards & Winery, and more. The Texas High Plains grows dozens of grape varietals, and its producers are turning them into a wide selection of reds and whites, from cabernet sauvignon and tempranillo to viognier and roussanne. So, there’s always something new to try.
Those who sign up for the trail will receive a free, interactive mobile pass that serves as a digital guide, with detailed maps and information on each winery. All you have to do is visit a participating winery and present your pass to earn points toward prizes and discounts. Each stop nets you 100 points, and it takes just 400 points to score a corkscrew and cheese board. Everyone likes swag, but beyond the cheese board, the trail is an easy way to explore the High Plains region’s outsized influence on Texas wine.