Y’all know how much I love the Texas Hill Country, mainly because of all the tastings in the area. Recently, I had an amazing time on my tasting weekend in Bee Cave. Bee Cave is located in the hill country of central Texas. This puts it a short driving distance to several wineries, distilleries, and breweries in the area. It is about 30 minutes north west of Austin, Dripping Springs and Driftwood.
I was recently invited to spend a tasting weekend in Bee Cave and absolutely loved it’s central location. I will share some tips on how to spend a tasting weekend in Bee Cave, from where to stay, what to do, and where to eat.
Where to Stay in Bee Cave
I was hosted by Sonesta Bee Cave Austin Hotel located at the Hill Country Galleria. This was my first time staying at a Sonesta and I have to say I really enjoyed it. First of all, due to the holidays, they had this beautiful Christmas tree in the lobby. Second, the service was incredible, she knew it was my first time at a Sonesta so she tried to get me a room with the best view! Third, the beds were SO comfortable, and the rooms were so spacious.
To top it off, there is a rooftop lounge called Meridian 98 on the 6th floor of the hotel with amazing views. We went up there for drinks and of course I had to try the “Buzz”, made with Dripping Springs Vodka, fresh strawberries and lemon. My friend tried the “West Pole Margarita” made with bee friendly honey and both were delicious! We really enjoyed the view sitting up here with the city lights. I can’t even imagine how beautiful it must be at sunset. Once you get hungry, there’s also a food menu with appetizers, salads, sliders, tacos and flatbreads.
What to Do in Bee Cave
One of the best things to do in Bee Cave is to have a tasting weekend! I had a chance to visit three tastings, Deep Eddy Vodka, Desert Door, and Hamilton Pool Vineyards.
Deep Eddy Vodka – Vodka is always my go to, and the Deep Eddy Vodka Tasting Room has been on my list fort the longest! I loved that they had tasting flights and you can pick which vodka you will like to try and you get a size of club soda to wash it all down. In addition, I also loved that they had some cocktails, including frozen cocktails. I have to say that every cocktail we tried was SO good! This was definitely my favorite stop.
Desert Door – Head to Desert Door to try Sotol. Sotol is similar to a tequila and a mezcal and has a unique flavor. Give it a try with a tasting or enjoy it in some of the beautiful cocktails they make. Lastly, make sure you step inside as their tasting room is modern desert and it is just stunning!
Hamilton Pool Vineyards – So I couldn’t leave the hill country without having some wine! Next, we stopped at the beautiful Hamilton Pool Vineyards for a tasting. The outdoor patio has beautiful huge Oak trees and vineyard views. Fun fact, the boutique wines are processed in a French style, making them super unique wines!
In addition, other tastings in the area are Frontyard Brewing, 5 Soul Wine Co., and Treaty Oak Distilling.
Where to Eat in Bee Cave
With all the drinking and exploring you will be doing, I know you will get hungry. Although, since most wineries, distilleries, or breweries have food or snacks for lunch, I highly recommend you save some of your appetite for a nice dinner!
We had a chance to try The Garden at Ellera for some Boston Italian Eats. They have everything from appetizers, pizza, paninis, and homemade Italian desserts. On our second night we tried Plate by Dzintra, where everything is made from scratch. Once you step inside the restaurant you will fall in love with the beautiful decor. Fun fact, the Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef Dzintra Dzenis appeared on the 6th season of The Food Network Star in 2010!
In addition, other places to eat in the area are The Grove Wine Bar + Kitchen, and Meridian 98 which is right at your hotel, Sonesta Bee Cave.
In Conclusion - A Tasting Weekend in Bee Cave
In conclusion, if you are looking for the perfect weekend getaway close to wineries, breweries, and distilleries, make sure you check out Bee Cave! Overall, we had such a great time in Bee Cave and I can’t wait to come back and explore some more!
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