Mason Revisited – A Trip Report

Much has been written about Mason, Texas, over the past several years. Yet despite the glowing press and its close proximity to one of the most popular wine destinations in the country, I’m always surprised by the number of folks I meet on my travels who are unaware of this little gem just 40 minutes north of Fredericksburg. With six wineries within walking distance on the downtown square – and three more within a 25-minute drive, Mason has a lot to offer a wine lover without the crowds and traffic. And dedicated vinophiles will love the fact that they can sit one-on-one with the owner/winemaker and hear the story behind the wines they enjoy.

As members of a local wine dinner group, my wife and I have often mentioned Mason at our dinners. One evening in April, as we were finishing a rather satisfying repast (along with several bottles of Texas wine), the topic of Mason arose once again. After a brief discussion, the group decided it was time to plan a pilgrimage. We agreed on Memorial Day weekend and began counting down the days.

Finally, the day arrived. Our group included four couples and two solo friends, all of whom planned to travel to Mason on Friday afternoon according to their respective schedules. Having booked six of the eight rooms at the Red Door Bed & Breakfast, a charming B&B on the downtown square, our plan was to check in, unpack at our leisure, and meet at Nacho’s Cafe for dinner. Don Pullum, the late godfather of Mason wine, had often posted social media photos of himself enjoying a meal at this iconic restaurant, so I took that as an imperative. I’m certain he was watching and approved.

Friday Evening – Fly Gap Winery

After enjoying a great meal, we made our way around the corner to Fly Gap Winery. Owner and winemaker Brock Estes was away on a well-earned trip with the family, but prearranged with Dora Lupo to take good care of us. Dora walked us through a guided tasting of the Fly Gap catalog, explaining each wine as we went. Fly Gap offers a wide range of wines, including whites, rosés, and reds. And all wines are sourced from the local Hickory Sands District. Brock has always made tasty reds and is not afraid to experiment with different blends and techniques. On this visit, we were treated to something totally new to me – a delicious Syrah Blanc sourced from Spiller Mine Vineyards. Another new style on his list was a tasty Barbera rosé sourced from Peters Prairie Vineyards. Many thanks to Brock and Dora for their hospitality and great wines!

Saturday Morning – Robert Clay Vineyards

Saturday began with a late morning breakfast at Willow Creek Café (also on the square), followed by a visit with vignerons Dan McLaughlin and his son Blake of Robert Clay Vineyards. Robert Clay is named after the two sons of the vineyard’s original owner and farmer. Dan’s wines are typically unfiltered, unfined, and aged for over five years. The result is wines that exhibit depth, character, and complexity. Dan and Blake guided us through a fascinating tasting journey that focused on side-by-side comparisons of features such as filtered versus unfiltered and different aging lengths. I thought it was clear that the unfiltered samples had a richer texture, while the longer-aged wines developed deeper flavors. Regardless, all agreed that the wines are simply outstanding. Each of our group was still raving about the experience even days later. Many thanks to Dan and Blake for a fun and educational afternoon.

Note that tastings at Robert Clay Vineyards are currently limited to allocation members and their guests. Call the winery for information on how to join the allocation list. And be prepared for some incredible wines.

Saturday Afternoon – BLACKMON

Continuing our adventure on Saturday, we made our way across the square for a visit with Bill Blackmon of BLACKMON. For those few souls who may not know, William (“Bill”) Blackmon is the “William” of William Chris Vineyards and now has a tasting room on the Mason downtown square. BLACKMON offers two different tasting experiences, but I highly recommend the “Blackmon Table” experience hosted by Bill. He and Dave Oelrich guided us through a tasting of six amazing wines, providing detailed insights into each wine’s fruit and production, sprinkled with humorous anecdotes from Bill’s life and career. And it goes without saying that all of Bill’s wines are exceptional. My favorites were a 2022 Merlot and a 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon. And again, each of our group brought several bottles home. Many thanks to Bill, his charming wife Beth, and Dave Oelrich for giving the group such a memorable experience!

Saturday Evening – Parr Vineyards

After our tasting at Blackmon, the group crossed the square again for a visit with Robert and Dilek Parr of Parr Vineyards. My wife and I have always enjoyed our time with these wonderful folks. The tasting room was buzzing that day, but Dilek directed us to a comfortable seating area near the front. Both Robb and Dilek joined our group and made us feel right at home. I could listen to Robert Parr talk about viticulture (and tell Air Force stories) all day. And Dilek’s knowledge and passion for their craft are obvious as she describes each wine she pours. The Parrs offer a variety of styles, including bold reds, mouthwatering whites, and luscious dessert wines. My favorites from this trip were the Wild Child, Marry Me… Again, and a crisp, bright Sémillon. If you enjoy a good, bold red such as Touriga Nacional or Mourvèdre, this is the place to be!

Sunday Afternoon – Wines of Dotson-Cervantes

Having enjoyed breakfast at Willow Creek the previous day, we decided there was no reason to go elsewhere on Sunday. So, after a satisfying meal, we packed our bags, checked out of the B&B, and headed north on highway 87.

No trip to the Hickory Sands District is complete without a visit to the one-and-only Alphonse Dotson at Wines of Dotson-Cervantes. Alphonse, formerly #87 defensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders, and his charming wife Martha, own over 80 acres (not all under vine) near the town of Voca, just 25 minutes north of Mason. Alphonse is a master storyteller, so guests can expect a delightful and entertaining afternoon as they enjoy a diverse range of great wines. Each of his wines is named after a story from events in his life. And all of his red wines are as big and bold as the man himself. One of our favorites was a red called Patience, a blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, Cab Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. And Muscat is not typically on my shopping list, but I was impressed with a blend of Muscat Canelli and Moscato called Delilah’s Grace, so much so that a bottle followed me home. At the end of the day, our group had spent just over three enjoyable hours with Alphonse. And all agreed it was time well spent. If you want to meet a Texas wine legend, don’t miss a trip to Voca.

Sunday Afternoon – Peters Prairie Vineyard

After our visit with Alphonse, we made our way to our final stop of the weekend, Peters Prairie Vineyard. Owner Kim Henderson closed the Peters Prairie tasting room on the Mason square in February 2024 and moved it to their vineyard location just 10 minutes north of Mason on Highway 87. Surrounded by the vineyard on three sides, this new venue provides guests with a spacious and serene atmosphere in which to enjoy events or relax with friends. Peters Prairie offers a wide range of award-winning wines, including several rosés, a wonderful Syrah, and a 2019 Barbara, which won Top Texas Wine in the 2025 Houston Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition. Again, each of our group came home with several bottles.

As we settled back to enjoy a tasting flight before our trip home, we reflected on the weekend’s events. Each noted his or her favorite wine or experience, but all agreed that the best part of the weekend was sharing it with good friends.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention three local wineries that we were unable to visit on this trip due to limited time and stamina. Sandstone Cellars Winery, owned by Scott Haupert and Manny Silerio, is also located on the Mason square and was the original winery to open in Mason. Murphy Creek Cellars is also located on the Mason square, and besides a couple of wines from Murphy Creek, they offer one of the largest, if not the largest, selections of Texas wines you can purchase from other Texas wineries. 1900 Winery, owned by Randy and Katherine Hinckley, is situated in the unincorporated community of Art, just seven minutes east of Mason on Hwy 29. All are well worth a visit.

Conclusion

Much has changed in the natural course of Mason’s growth and evolution since I first visited three years ago. One winery has closed and been replaced by another, one has relocated off the square, and one has moved to an allocation model. And all miss Don Pullum’s wisdom and influence on the community. Yet Mason offers an exciting and vibrant wine experience to all who take the time to explore its charms. It deserves a place on every Texas Wine Lover’s bucket list, and you can use our special website Guide and mobile app Mason, Texas Trip, to guide you there.