Wimberley Wine Walk preview

By Sherri Cline

The first annual Wimberley Wine Walk will be held on Thursday, March 31, in downtown Wimberley.

Participants will be able visit nearly a dozen Texas wineries, while enjoying the unique charms of this Hill Country jewel. Most Wimberley shops, galleries, and boutiques will be open late for the evening, providing a shopper’s paradise as a backdrop for the event. Live music and food will also be a part of the fun.

Organizers chose the March 31 date to capitalize on Market Day, hoping to encourage visitors who might be coming for Market Day to stay a few extra nights and enjoy the Wine Walk and all that Wimberley has to offer.

“We wanted to create an event that would be a lot of fun for both residents and visitors,” said Jolene Conway, Wimberley Wine Walk committee chair. “We’re hoping that the Wine Walk becomes an annual tradition that attracts participants year after year.”

Many top Texas wineries have signed up to attend. Wimberley Wine Walk wineries include Bending Branch Winery, Hye Meadow Winery, Wimberley Valley Winery, Singing Waters Winery, Stone House Vineyards, Barton Springs Winery, Dry Comal Creek Vineyards, Bent Oak Winery, Texas Hills Vineyard, and Duchman Family Winery.

Conway said that she and other members of the committee were thrilled with the response to the Wine Walk, both from sponsors and participants. “We have some great sponsors and some wonderful shops that will be stops on the walk,” she said. “It’s been really gratifying to see how the Wimberley merchants have embraced the idea.”

Hundreds of wine walkers have already signed up for the event. “It looks like we’re going to reach capacity on the event in the very near future,” Conway said. “It’s a good idea to sign up online now so you don’t get disappointed.”

Early registration will be available for those who’ve pre-registered on Wednesday, March 30, at the Wimberley Valley Visitor Center from 3 to 6 p.m.

For those who aren’t able to pick up their registration packets on Wednesday, you can check in front of Taste Buds Market at 5 p.m. on the 31st, where they will also receive their packet that contains a commemorative wine glass, a race bib, a reusable wine tote, and coupons from the downtown merchants. From Taste Buds, participants will stroll to another 11 stations throughout the downtown area. The event will “wine down” about 8 p.m. with a party at Cypress Creek Café.

As part of the Wimberley Community Civic Club’s fund-raising extravaganza, Spring Event, the Wine Walk will support local non-profit organizations as well as scholarships for Wimberley high school students. Each year, the Civic Club donates tens of thousands of dollars to support the Wimberley community.

For more information about the Wimberley Wine Walk, visit the event website at www.WimberleyWineWalk.com. A link to register is also available on the site.