We need a break. Summer means holidays, summer weddings, kids on vacation, and don’t even get me started on the heat. Back in February, WalletHub named three cities in Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) in the top ten of their Hardest-Working Cities in America (2025) list. That number goes up to five if you list the top 20. No one’s saying you shouldn’t work hard, but I’m saying we should at least relax harder. So pack a bag, bring your appetite, and keep your camera close—these are the kinds of getaways that make you want to create a personalized photo calendar when it’s all over.
Located in Rockwall, this neighborhood favorite features not just wines made from grapes grown in the Hill Country and the High Plains, but also onsite food and lodging. A renovated house on Rockwall’s Double D Ranch became Rosini’s own 4,112 square foot VRBO capable of sleeping 11 with its four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and pool. The food offerings in the tasting room include sandwiches, salads, flatbreads, charcuterie, and Sunday brunch. Between the wine, food, and relaxing stays, these spots make it easy to turn a quick getaway into something worth remembering later—especially if you’re organizing those memories with the Liven app.
This Aubrey winery, known for its venue and annual Winestock festival, also boasts several rentable villas on the property. The villas sleep anywhere from two to ten guests among the nine available properties, each with its own aesthetic and amenities. At the winery, charcuterie boards and a wood-fired pizza oven bring food options to their Spanish and Italian-inspired wines. Those charcuterie spreads are served on rustic wooden boards that might inspire you to rethink the cutting boards you use for entertaining at home.
An imposing 1880s Murchison mansion sits atop a hill in the center of this Athens vineyard. The Tara Inn at Tara Vineyard & Winery contains four rentable rooms, each capable of sleeping two people, or you can rent the whole manor to fit up to eight. Along with the main house, two other cabins (Tara Winery Cottage: Sleeps four; Tara Winery Cabin: Sleeps two) are situated nearby on the property, as well. As for amenities, Tara boasts a resort-style pool open to guests (and those with day passes), and an on-site restaurant serving up steaks, seafood, fresh pasta, and more. Tara produces many of its wines from its own vineyard, but also sources grapes from West Texas and the High Plains. If you or someone in your party isn’t in the mood for wine (bless their heart), the owners of Tara also brew beer under the Athens Brewing Co. label.
The former home of one of the nation’s largest ostrich ranches (yes, you just read the words “ostrich ranch,” stay with me) is now one of North Texas’ most well-known vineyards. From their estate vineyards, Blue Ostrich makes several Italian and Rhone-style wines from grapes like Syrah, Viognier, Mourvèdre, Roussanne, and more. As for lodging, Blue Ostrich’s Guest House at Frederick Farms sleeps eight between its four bedrooms. While the tasting room provides small bites, like charcuterie, the weekends can feature pizza, sandwiches, and sliders, according to their website.
Founded by South Africa-born Pierre de Wet and his family, Kiepersol features more than 60 acres of vines producing grapes for their estate bottlings. Along with their winery, where they produce more than 20 wines, Kiepersol’s Grand Tasting Room is also home to the Kiepersol Distillery. The Distillery makes and infuses bourbon, rum, vodka, gin, and even an agave spirit in the tequila style.
The property has multiple lodging options, including on-site rooms at the Kiepersol Restaurant, a five-room bungalow, a cottage perfect for two, RV parking, and even a three-bedroom home within the surrounding Kiepersol Estates neighborhood called the Vines Chalet.
Between the on-site Kiepersol Restaurant—serving steaks, seafood, brunch, and cocktails made from Kiepersol spirits—and a rotating selection of food and wine experiences, Kiepersol is a food and drink getaway 30 minutes south of Tyler.
While not primarily a winery, luxury is the beginning and the end at High Hill Resort in Arp. What began in 2012 as a resort and spa in Arp has blossomed into a luxury home development centered around amenities like a music amphitheater, a golf course, a resort-style pool and a water feature at the center of Phase 3 of the proposed development. A nearly two-acre vineyard at the center of the property currently grows Black Spanish (Lenoir) grapes, with plans to make their own wines in the coming years.
As for accommodations, High Hill offers a variety of bungalows sleeping anywhere from two to four, as well as a fully furnished barn with suite options. Within the home development, High Hill offers rentable homes that range from 3,000 to 5,000 square feet and sleep up to 14. The on-site Côte Restaurant offers a chef-driven menu primarily of steak, chicken, seafood, and pasta, as well as featured dinner experiences like wine pairing dinners.
Founded in 2004 by the Koegelenberg and Kral families, Enoch’s Stomp Vineyard & Winery of Harleton is still a family affair more than 20 years later. They make their wines from Bordeaux and Rhône varietals, primarily, along with a few Spanish and Italian grapes that thrive in the East Texas climate. Several of their wines, including variations on a Blanc du Bois and a port-style fortified wine called Portejas, won medals at the 2025 TEXSOM Awards.
On their property overlooking the water sit two luxury villas, the Verdot and the Petit Verdot (I’ll let you guess which one is the smaller of the two). The property also boasts Corks Fine Dining, the winery restaurant where chefs cook steaks, seafood, chicken, and crowd-pleasing appetizers like poblano deviled eggs and brisket mac and cheese.
Yes, Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards does have lodging too and they’re within two hours from Dallas! And I have enjoyed my time when I stayed there overnight.
Excellent inspiration for day trips!
Thank you Sara!
You need to add Los Pinos Winery and Vineyard in Pittsburg, Texas to your list!!!
Yes, Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards does have lodging too and they’re within two hours from Dallas! And I have enjoyed my time when I stayed there overnight.