At three venues in Llano County, you can sip an adult beverage within a few feet of where the contents were made. The county boasts a winery, a distillery, and a microbrewery, each with an adjacent bar or tasting room. Bottoms up!
TOW
Take a scenic drive to Tow, on the north shore of Lake Buchanan, then along a tree-lined drive that leads to Fall Creek Vineyards.
Sit in the tasting room or adjacent patio, and choose a flight of five preselected wines or order wines by the glass or bottle. Food is also available. Visit the gift shop for wine-related items.
Fall Creek Vineyards began operations in 1979, back when Texas had just a handful of wineries. Now, the state boasts more than 400. The winery took root in 1973, when the late Ed Auler and wife Susan traveled to France to study cattle breeds, a trip that evolved into a multi-day tour of French wine regions. Six years later, they opened a winery, which has since won awards from the International Wine Challenge, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, and Texas Vintner’s Cup, among others.
Fall Creek Vineyards
1820 County Road 222 in Tow, 325-379-5361
Open Sunday, Monday, and Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Private tastings Tuesday-Thursday by appointment. Winery tours available by appointment.
LLANO
Llano Craft Distillery makes gin and a variety of flavored vodkas, including sweet tea and habañero pepper. Its downtown tasting room with wooden floors and large windows is an inviting space for socializing and sipping. Order a flight of distillery creations or pick out a cocktail from the extensive drink menu that includes some creative iterations of martinis and bloody Marys plus several non-traditional concoctions.
Connie and Marion Bishop and their late daughter, Danielle Carmichael, founded the distillery, creating a lineup of innovative spirits and a welcoming spot for a drink.
Since its beginning in 2016, it has picked up silver and bronze medals from the Denver International Spirits Competition and New York International Spirits Competition. The distillery also won Texas Flavored Vodka of the Year for its Hatch (green chile) vodka.
Llano Craft Distillery
122 E. Main St. in Llano
Open 1-8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
For more information and a live music schedule, click on the link above.
Llano Beer Company’s 50-plus taps dispense a diverse selection of craft beers. The rotation of suds from its microbrewery could include Red Top Jail Ale, Llano River Llager, or Llano Strange Brew.
Exuding a neighborhood bar vibe, Llano Beer Company goes big on promotions: game watching, live music, pizza night, trivia, and ladies’ night out. Check the Facebook Page for event information.
Llano Beer Company
105 E. Main St. in Llano, 325-268-0103.
Open 4-8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2-9 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
For more events and attractions in Llano County, go to VisitLlanoCounty.com.
