Fall Creek's well-received vintages, produced to a large extent from grapes grown by independent growers, include standard varietals as well as a number of blended wines such as the Granite Reserve, a Cabernet and Merlot blend. The winery, which overlooks Lake Buchanan, is one of the area's prettiest. In 1986, the Bell Mountain region was designated Texas' first viticultural appellation. All of Bell Mountain's wines are estate bottled, with the wines clarified during the winter months before undergoing bulk aging in barrels or stainless steel tanks. Unlike other regional producers, Bell Mountain ages its wines a second time after bottling.
Patience pays off with more complex vintages.
This small, handcrafted winery was built in 1995 to resemble a Texas Hill Country home of the 19th century, with board and batten walls and a front porch. As demand for Spicewood wines has grown, the winery has been expanded to allow a maximum capacity of 10,000 barrels. Today, Spicewood produces Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and barrel-fermented Chardonnay as well as blush wines. All their wines are estate bottled, and the winery uses French oak barrels exclusively for fermenting and aging wines. Owners Ed and Madeleine Manigold will gladly provide information regarding the fine wine and food retailers offering their product around the state.