Last Minute Halloween Tips

Double, double, toil and trouble—sweet Sauternes and Moscato bubble! It’s time for all the ghouls and goblins to awaken and stalk the night in search of wine and mischief because Halloween is coming up this Friday.

Whether or not you’re of the ghostly persuasion, you’ll want to haunt one of these fun events around the state. All events take place on Halloween, Oct. 31st, unless otherwise noted:

• The Texas Wine Month Trail continues through Oct. 31st in the Hill Country, and while this isn’t especially Halloween-related, it’s a very big deal worth a mention. There are 42 wineries participating this year, and all you have to do is visit a winery and pick up your ticket, which you can buy online at the Texas Hill Country Wineries website. Your ticket includes a full complimentary tasting at each winery with a limit of 4 wineries a day and a 15% discount on 3 bottle purchases at each winery. Tickets are wickedly affordable at $60 for a couple or $35 for a single. And hey, if the spirit so moves you, wear your Halloween costume on the tour.
• Related to the above, if you’re in and around Fredericksburg on Halloween night, hit the Crossroads Saloon & Steakhouse for a fantastical party featuring Sauce the Band, which will perform the entire Thriller album. Don your 80’s zombie costume and dance until your arms and legs drop off. The party starts at 9:00 pm at 305 W. Main in Fredericksburg.
• Messina Hof Winery and Resort in Bryan is hosting a murder-mystery dinner called, “Homicide on Halloween: A Daunting Night of Monsters and Murder!” featuring a delicious three-course dinner of Eye of Newt Soup, Roast Beast, and Creep Cake. Doors open at 7:00 pm, and the cost is $69.95, plus tax and gratuity. For more information and reservations, visit the Messina Hof website, or call 1.800.736.WINE ext. 234.
• There’s always fun to be had in Grapevine, and on Halloween, you can have a frightfully good time taking the Night Watchman Tour. Who robbed the bank on Main in 1932? Which winery is haunted? Learn more, if you dare! D’Vine Wine of Grapevine is hosting this 90-minute tour through Oct. 31, which includes a glass of wine at the conclusion. The tour starts at 6:00 pm, and tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for students and seniors, and $10 for children under 12. Visit the Grapevine USA website for more information.
• Last, but not least, on Nov. 1 starting at 5 pm, Solaro Estate in Dripping Springs and Solaro Urban Winery in Houston are hosting Masquerade events featuring Texas wine, food, and music. There’s a $15 cover, but it’s waved if you buy a bottle of wine. And if your costume is really great, you might even take home a prize, which is—guess what?—a bottle of wine! See the calendar page on the Solaro Estate website for more details.

So, put on your Halloween garb, get out there, and have a monstrously good time—just remember to have a designated driver, and take special care to have a very safe and happy Halloween.