Texas Wineries

Enjoy a complimentary glass of  wine  from  one of our  local  wineries from the Bluebonnet Wine Trail or one of our signature house cocktails during our Summer Friday afternoon House Chefs Cocktail & Hors ‘d eouvre  Hour from 5-6 P.M.  while staying at the ranch .  Some of the wine tips and facts from our local vintners are always fascinating  something we enjoy passing along to those who enjoy a delicious afternoon  libation.  These facts were shared with us by Windy Winery.

• What does it mean when a wine is “tannic?”
  A tannic wine has an astringency and bitterness that is caused by a high level of tannins. Tannins are a group of chemical compounds found in grape skins, seeds, and stems, and sometimes in the wood barrels wine is fermented in. Tannins are important to the aging of wine. Wines most likely to be described as tannic are red wines.

• Why do some wines give you a headache?
  Histamines, found in the skins of grapes, seem to give some people headaches if they are sensitive to histamines. Red wine will affect a histamine sensitive wine drinker more than white wine because red wine has spent more time in contact with grape skins.

Cotton Gin Museum & Cotton Gin Festival

Acres of family fun, parade, tractor pull, antique cars and engines, 50+ craft booths, kids zone, petting zoo, entertainment, food, auctions and more, Friday Shrimp Boil and Auction 6PM, Saturday fun 9 a.m. – midnight, free!  Go to the Texas Cotton Gin Museum for more info!

The Festivals boasts more than 250 juried exhibitors (home décor, gardening, artists, craftsmen, jewelry, clothing, etc.), delicious country-style food, live entertainment and music, and tours of the historic community. A special Children’s Activity Corner provides pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, barrel train and more. A special Wildflower Photo exhibit will be on display at the Chappell Hill Museum Exhibit Gallery during April and May. The Bluebonnet Festival was declared the “Official Bluebonnet Festival of Texas” by the Texas Legislature and was voted #7 as Most Popular Festival in Texas by Texas Highways. Admission is free to the festival and museum. Convenient parking for cars, buses and handicapped persons is available.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Historical Things To Do Brenham Texas

“For a few precious moments…..I am back in Old Texas, under a high sky, where all things are again possible and the wind blows free.”
     – Larry L. King  

“Texas is still a last frontier. It is the part of the United States where the traditional virtues are still operating. In short, a piece of living history.”      – Author John C. B. Richmond

The 176th anniversary of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence will be recognized during a free two-day festival  at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. The festival will provide endless opportunities for family-oriented activities. All admission fees will be waived during the celebration weekend!

Throughout the two-day celebration, the 293-acre park along the Brazos River will be transported back to the time when Texas was a sovereign nation. Re-enactors in period clothing and members of the Texas Army, along with skilled craftsmen and talented musicians, will fill the park as Texas commemorates its inception. In addition, food vendors selling a variety of festival foods will be on site.

For details, call (936) 878-2214 or visit www.BirthplaceOfTexas.com

Things to do in Round Top!

Please join us this Saturday February 25, 2012 at 1 p.m. for the fourth semi-annual Stone Cellar at Round Top International Beer Festival on Bybee Square.

This years festival will feature 10 crafted brews from around the globe and across the U.S.  Participants will receive a commemorative Stone Cellar beer mug, a generous sampling of each beer, and two pints of your favorite brew.

Live entertainment will begin at 1:00 PM featuring the Black Cat Choir followed by the sounds of Party-Foul until 10:00 PM.

For our cigar smoking friends, we will offer an array of fine smokes including Rocky Patel’s, Romeo y Julieta’s, and Monte Christo’s to name a few.

So, mark your calendar and make your plans for another fun-filled day at The Stone Cellar in beautiful Round Top, USA.  For more information contact: Jon Perez at (281)851-6779

Texas Antique Shopping near the Ranch

Antique hunters, Marburger Farms is celebrating its’ 30th antique Show  this Spring Round Top March-April show! ….Book your room at the ranch now for this amazing event.  You don’t want to miss it!…….. Read the article which tells all about it and starts like this……”When the Marburger Farm Antique Show burst onto a Texas cow pasture in the fall of 1997, everyone knew that something unique was being branded in Round Top. Halfway between Houston and Austin, dealers called the new show “a breath of fresh air.” Shoppers just said, “Here we come!”………

Texas Wine & Chocolate Trail

Come on up for a stay at the ranch and enjoy the Wine & Chocolate Trail  which is another wonderful way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. For four days on the first two weekends in February 2012, your trail ticket allows you to sample two wine tastings paired with a wonderful chocolate delicacy at each participating winery along the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail.

Your Single ticket is priced at $25, or save 10% when you purchase a Ticket-for-Two-is priced at $45. Your ticket purchased for this event is good February 4, 5, 11 or 12, 2012, regardless of your purchase dated. Blaze your own trail. You can start at any winery you want and end where you want.The wine and chocolate pairings for the 10 member wineries are posted below.

Bernhardt Winery: A plate of elegant chocolates consisting of a dark chocolate truffle, a white chocolate dipped strawberry, and milk chocolate fudge tart paired with semi-sweet red Crimson and Port Reserve.

Colony Cellars: Crisp Texas Red paired with Chocolate Biscotti’s and Bliss Chocolate.

Cork This! Winery: Chocolate Fountain with all the fixings, paired with “One Night Stand” Cabernet Sauvignon and “Alchoholiday” Peach Apricot Chardonnay.

Messina Hof Winery & Resort: Port brownie paired with Messina Hof Reflections 2008, as well as their Chocolate Fudge with Nuts, paired with Messina Hof Private Reserve Port 2005.

Pleasant Hill Winery: Receive a welcoming taste of our 2010 Sangiovese when you arrive. Follow that with a perfect pairing of our Tawny Rosso Forte and a port brownie with a port chocolate glaze.

Retreat Hill Cellars: Pick your pair of wines to complement an assortment of five hand-crafted Chocolate Cake Balls from Sweet Tooth Montgomery.

Retreat Hill Winery & Vineyard: Receive a welcoming taste of Retreat Hill Dulce Blanco followed with slow-smoked chicken and rice with Chocolate Mole’ Sauce paired with Retreat Hill Sunset Syrah.

Saddlehorn Winery: White and Dark Chocolate paired with newly released Black Spanish Dessert Wine (Port) and Blanc du Bois (Dulce).

Texas Star Winery: Receive a welcoming taste of sparkling Hibiscus wine paired with a decadent raspberry chocolate tart with truffle garnish, followed by Prickly Pear wine.

Windy Winery: Receive a welcoming taste of Linda’s Sparkling Blanc and a delicious Chocolate Cobbler paired with Sparkling Syrah.

A Tuscan Garden Quilt Show

Brenham, Texas 77833

“Make Every Stitch Count.”

Also, on Saturday, January 28, learn about the history and symbolism of the many flags that have flown in Texas, with guest speaker and former TSSAR president Tom Green. Try your hand at putting a stitch into a re-creation of an early Texas flag.

For details and fees for these events, call (936) 878-2214 ext. 246, or visit Birthplace of Texas.