MeLinda at William Chris Vineyards in Hye, January 2026.
Events, openings and the holiday wine passport around Central Texas through mid-December. Dates and prices are as listed on October 25, 2026 by each venue, organizer or the news source credited. Check with them before you drive out.
Events
Still Austin Quarter grand opening, Thursday, November 5, South Austin. Adrian Quesada plays a DJ set in the Vinyl Lounge at 7 pm and Shakey Graves plays the Music Room at 7:30. CultureMap says it’s free and open to the public, with no RSVP. (CultureMap)
Austin Wine Auction and Gala, November 6 and 7, downtown Austin. The Austin Wine & Food Foundation’s 40th-anniversary weekend: a featured winemaker luncheon Friday at Guest House, then the auction from 4 to 6 pm and the gala from 6:30 to 10:30 pm Saturday at the JW Marriott. (Austin Wine & Food Foundation)
Austin Food & Wine Festival, November 6 to 8. Friday’s Made In Texas night is at the Long Center, 7 to 9:30 pm, from $185. The weekend days are at Auditorium Shores: Saturday is down to a waitlist and resale, and Sunday starts at $200. (Austin Food & Wine Festival)
Austin Whiskey Washback, Friday, November 6, East Austin. The Daily Pour’s whiskey evening at Distribution Hall on East 4th Street, 6 to 9:30 pm. (Eventbrite)
Wine, Dine & Jazz Festival, November 6 and 7, Horseshoe Bay. The resort’s 21st annual: a wine dinner Friday night, then chef demonstrations and a 2 to 5 pm wine stroll Saturday. Texas wineries on the list include Becker, Bending Branch, Carter Creek, Hye Meadow, Peters Prairie, Portree Cellars, Spicewood/Yates and Wedding Oak. (Horseshoe Bay Resort)
Becker Vineyards Riedel Wine Glass Tasting, Saturdays through December 5, Fredericksburg. At noon, $50 a ticket. (Becker Vineyards on Tock)
Red, White & Bourbon, Saturday, November 14, Hye. Garrison Brothers’ 11 am to 2 pm event at the distillery comes with a BBQ lunch, and proceeds go to the National Museum of the Pacific War. There’s a Red, White & Blue Small Batch bottle for sale. (Garrison Brothers)
Christmas Wine Affair, November 23 to December 18, Hill Country wineries. Texas Hill Country Wineries’ holiday passport covers a complimentary tasting at more than 50 member wineries, up to four a day, plus 10% off three or more bottles once at each (some wines excluded). It’s $65 for one person and $100 for a couple, and you both need to be there together. Many wineries ask you to book the tasting ahead. (Texas Hill Country Wineries)
Holiday Winemaker Dinner, Tuesday, December 8, Fredericksburg. At Hill + Vine, with owners, winemakers and representatives from Farmhouse Vineyards, Michael Ros, Bending Branch, Portree Cellars, Inwood Estates and Peters Prairie. Doors at 6 pm. It’s $150 a person, billed as all-inclusive, and limited to 60 guests. (Texas Hill Country Wineries)
Opened this fall
The Still Austin Quarter, South Austin. Our October roundup had it as “opening this fall.” The doors opened in mid-October on Willow Springs Road, and the grand opening party is November 5 (see Events). It’s a cocktail bar, music venue and gathering space, open Wednesday through Sunday. (Still Austin; opening from Breaking Bourbon)
Briggs Distilling, Driftwood. CultureMap reported it opening October 17 on Brownson Lane with a straight rye, a Heritage Reserve bourbon and a wheated bourbon, all made with Texas rainwater. Tastings are $10, flights $15, and it’s open Wednesday through Sunday. (CultureMap)