Press Release
Formando Vineyards will open its new Texas Hill Country tasting room near Fredericksburg on Thursday, October 1, 2026. The family-owned vineyard invites guests to experience Texas-grown wines, seasonal food, and six generations of ranching heritage through guided, seated tastings and thoughtful Hill Country hospitality.
Founded in 2019 by aunt-and-nephew Ceci McBride & Henry Johnson, Formando grows grapes on its estate vineyards in Gillespie County and works with select growers across the Texas Hill Country to produce wines that capture Texas terroir. The new tasting room was built on the banks of South Willow Creek and is nestled amongst vineyards and oak trees, providing a beautiful setting to enjoy the traditions of hospitality, stewardship, and gathering that have shaped the family and its relationship with the land for generations.
Formando will offer three guided seated experiences designed to help guests explore the wines at an unhurried pace: a five-wine mixed tasting, a five-wine red tasting, and a four-wine-and-food pairing. Experiences last approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Reservations are recommended, with walk-ins welcomed based on availability.
Guests may also enjoy wine by the glass or by the bottle alongside a seasonal menu featuring house-made focaccia, Texas meats and cheeses, sandwiches, pizzas, and dessert. Guests may visit for wine, food, or both without booking a formal tasting experience, subject to seating availability.
Formando’s wine program features fruit grown at its Willow Creek estate. The opening portfolio includes Picpoul Blanc, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Negro Amaro, Aglianico, Grenache Blanc, Syrah, Montepulciano, and a white and red blend. At the center of the portfolio is Harry’s Red, Formando’s Flagship blend. Named in memory of Ceci McBride’s late son, the wine honors the love, connection, and family memories that helped shape Formando.
“For six generations, our family has gathered around the land, the table, and the traditions of ranch life,” said McBride. “Formando is our opportunity to welcome people into that story through Texas wine, artisanal food, and the kind of hospitality that makes you want to stay awhile.”
Formando takes its name from a Mexican vaquero tradition practiced at the family’s Chaparrosa ranch. Rooted in generations of Texas farming and ranching, the name reflects the family’s respect for tradition, craftsmanship, and responsible stewardship of the land. Grapes are carefully managed for quality and harvested by hand, with each growing season guided by the goal of leaving the land better than the family found it.
“We wanted Formando to feel inseparable from the land and our family’s history,” said Johnson. “At the same time, we want guests to discover just how expressive and exciting Texas-grown wine can be.”
The Señor Pico Wine Club offers three membership levels featuring recurring wine allocations, member discounts, early access to new releases, complimentary tasting or glass benefits, and invitations to special winery gatherings and events.
Formando Vineyards is located at 11835 N. State Highway 16, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624. The tasting room is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations are recommended and may be made at formandovineyards.com/visit-us.
Leave a Reply