The Texas Hill Country used to be known for its dude ranches and cattle drives. It still is – along with Blue Bell ice cream. (Thank you, Brenham!) 

The warm, Mediterranean climate has piqued the interest of a new industry: winemaking. Over the last few years, Texas Hill Country wine has been featured on menus at the White House, won some impressive awards and praised highly by celebrity sommelier Andrea Immer Robinson. The area is also one of the fast-growing wine regions in the country. Interestingly, many of the vacationing cowpokes and hunters are sipping viognier – my favorite white – and sampling cheese instead of tossing back an ice-cold Shiner Bock.

In fact, Becker Vineyards Viognier ($14.95) was just named one of the “100 Wine Bottles to Drink Now” in the October 2010 issue of Food & Wine magazine. Located near Stonewall, TX, the vineyard is also home to The Homestead Bed and Breakfast ($125 per night, including a bottle ofwine and baked goods for breakfast). Behind the vineyard is three acres of lavender fields, totaling 10,000 plants. While the vineyard doesn't have a distributor outside of Texas, the company does ship to a large portion of the country. As a bonus, there is a dozen-bottle discount. Be sure to purchase the 2008 Syrah and the 2007 Claret, which picked up big honors at the 2009 San Francisco Wine Competition.