The Texas wine industry continues to evolve, and one of the latest examples can now be found in the heart of Hye. Rebecca Caroline, the sparkling wine label from William Chris Wine Company, is officially opening the doors to its new tasting room inside the historic Hye Post Office with a Grand Opening Weekend on June 26 and 27.
I had the opportunity to visit during a recent soft opening, and it quickly became clear that this is not simply another tasting room. Rebecca Caroline is a dedicated sparkling wine destination, focused entirely on showcasing what traditional method sparkling wine can look like when made from 100% Texas-grown grapes.
Named after the combined middle names of Chris and Katharine Brundrett’s daughters, the brand celebrates family, craftsmanship, and the future of Texas wine. Every bottle is produced using the traditional method, the same labor-intensive process used in some of the world’s most celebrated sparkling wines. This all takes place across the street at William Chris Vineyards.
The new tasting room is located inside the beautifully restored historic Hye Post Office, and the space feels both refined and approachable. At the time of my visit, there were still some things to do, but the space looked really nice while maintaining the historic look of the building.
Post office boxes still available
Guests attending the Grand Opening Weekend will enjoy a 90-minute guided sparkling wine experience featuring Rebecca Caroline wines paired with Southern-inspired bites. The culinary offerings will include fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, corn on the cob, coleslaw, and okra.
Live music will be featured throughout the weekend, and guests will have the opportunity to explore the restored historic building. As a fun addition, representatives from M.L. Leddy’s will be on-site providing complimentary boot shining.
Available tasting times include:
- Friday, June 26: 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
- Saturday, June 27: 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. (sold out), 4:00 p.m.
Pricing is $35 for club members and $50 for guests.
Reservations can be made through Rebecca Caroline’s website.
Wine club members lounge
More Than Just Sparkling Wine
During my visit, Rebecca Caroline was pouring four sparkling wines, with a fifth wine available exclusively to wine club members.
Current sparkling offerings include:
- 2023 Blanc du Bois, Ultra Brut, John Dale Vineyard & Darst Ranch Vineyard and Washington County & Austin County.
- 2023 Dell Valley Cuvée, Brut, Dell Valley Vineyard
- 2023 Boxing Rabbit Cuvée, Extra Brut, Boxing Rabbit Vineyard, Texas High Plains
- 2024 Pinot Meunier, Extra Brut, Letkeman Family Vineyard
- 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, Extra Brut, Boxing Rabbit Vineyard, Texas High Plains (wine club-exclusive)
One thing that stood out during my visit was the focus on food pairings. Beyond the tasting experience, Rebecca Caroline plans to offer three different types of caviar along with raw oysters, and popcorn. While popcorn may seem like an unexpected pairing, it serves as a neutral canvas that allows the sparkling wine to shine. During my visit, the featured selection was a jalapeño dill popcorn that delivered plenty of flavor without much heat.
For those considering membership, there is one detail worth noting. Rebecca Caroline plans to limit its wine club to just 1,000 members. Based on current interest, the team estimates the club could reach capacity by the end of the summer. If joining the club is on your radar, you’d better join soon!
Cellar lockers are available at the tasting room. This is a membership that provides a dedicated 12-bottle cellar locker. This annual membership gives you many benefits with reservations, priority access to wines, access to private cellar lounge spaces, and more. Information can be found when you visit the tasting room.
The Texas Hill Country has no shortage of tasting rooms, but Rebecca Caroline brings something unique to the region. While most wineries offer a sparkling wine among a larger portfolio, Rebecca Caroline has created an experience centered entirely around bubbles.
For Texas wine lovers who appreciate traditional method sparkling wine or simply want to see where Texas wine continues to push boundaries, Rebecca Caroline is worth adding to your next Hill Country itinerary.
Thank you for such a beautiful review !! It was a pleasure to have you drop by. All the furniture is here now making the space even more beautiful !!
I look forward to visiting again!