10 of the Best Texas Wines to Try Right Now
From sparkling wine and rosé to daring reds, these wines showcase the diversity of the Texas wine scene
As the saying goes, “Everything is bigger in Texas,” and the state’s rapidly growing wine scene is no exception. Texas is home to more than 600 wine producers and eight federally recognized American Viticultural Areas, or AVAs. Today, the state’s wine industry extends well beyond Fredericksburg and the 290 Wine Trail.
With vineyards stretching from the High Plains to the Gulf Coast, the state’s geographic diversity plays a major role in what can be grown here. Put plainly, growing grapes in Texas isn’t easy. Heat, drought, humidity, unpredictable freezes and other regional conditions all influence which varieties thrive. As a result, Texas growers have embraced a diverse mix of grapes, including Mediterranean and Iberian varieties such as Tempranillo and Tannat, French grapes such as Viognier and Mourvèdre, and disease-resistant hybrids such as Blanc du Bois.
While many still refer to Texas wine as “up-and-coming,” that terminology is now outdated. At the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards, Texas took home 122 medals — the second most of any U.S. state behind California — including four gold medals in a field of nearly 17,000 wines from 58 countries. You don’t have to travel to wine country to taste them, either. Austin restaurants, wine shops and grocers stock bottles from across the state, while many Texas wineries offer direct-to-consumer shipping, making it easier than ever to drink local.
Here are 10 standout Texas wines to try, including longtime favorites and unexpected varieties worth seeking out.
1. Elisa Christopher Wines — Ultra Brut Sparkling Picpoul Blanc
When you think of traditional-method sparkling wine, you likely think of Champagne. But Texas is now home to producers making seriously good bubbles in the same style. At Elisa Christopher Wines, sparkling wine quickly became a major focus, reflecting founder Elisa Christopher’s belief that every day offers something to celebrate. Try Christopher’s Ultra Brut Picpoul Blanc, a bright, refreshing wine with flavors of green apple and lemon peel.
Where to find: Dai Due, Emmer & Rye, and June’s All Day
2. Duchman Family Winery — Vermentino
If you love Italian white wines, Duchman Family Winery’s Vermentino is one to know. Founded in 2004, the Driftwood winery was an early champion of Italian varieties in Texas, and its Vermentino has become a signature in its lineup. Grown in the Texas High Plains, where cooler nights help preserve its naturally high acidity, the wine is a great example of why Mediterranean varieties thrive in Texas. Expect notes of citrus and juicy pear, with a subtle saline finish reminiscent of its coastal roots.
Where to find: Dai Due, Central Market, Travis Heights Wine & Spirits, select HEBs
3. Ab Astris Winery — Picpoul Blanc
Ab Astris, which means “of the stars” in Latin, took home one of four gold medals awarded to Texas wines at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards for its 2022 Souzao. While that bottle is reserved for wine club members, the Stonewall winery makes plenty of other great wines to try. Picpoul Blanc, native to southern France, is prized for its naturally high acidity, which helps it retain its freshness in the Texas heat. Citrus and pear lead the way, with white floral notes and plenty of acid on the finish.
Where to find: Central Market
4. Lewis Wines — Swim Spot
At around $20, this wine challenges what you might expect from Texas. Inspired by Portugal’s Vinho Verde, a style known for light, crisp wines with a slight fizz, Swim Spot is made from 100% Blanc du Bois, a grape widely grown in Texas for its resistance to diseases such as Pierce’s disease. Made with grapes sourced from a vineyard near the Gulf Coast, Swim Spot is floral and crisp, with high acidity, lower alcohol (9%) and just enough effervescence to make it dangerously easy to drink. Consider it your Texas answer to a poolside white.
Where to find: Dai Due, Central Market, Travis Heights Wine & Spirits
5. Wine for the People — Dandy Rosé
Austin-based winemaker Rae Wilson released the first vintage of Dandy Rosé in 2014, and it has been a favorite among Texas wine fans ever since. Made entirely from Texas-grown grapes — including Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Grenache — the dry, French-inspired rosé is fruit-forward and easygoing. Dandy is a great example of how well Southern French varieties perform in Texas, resulting in a food-friendly rosé with plenty of character and no fuss.
Where to find: Dai Due, Central Market, Travis Heights Wine & Spirits
6. William Chris Vineyards — Cinsault
William Chris has played a major role in putting Texas wine on the global map, earning a spot on the World’s Best Vineyards Top 100 for three consecutive years and reaching No. 31 in 2025, making it the first Texas winery to break into the top 50. While the Hye-based producer makes excellent full-bodied wines from varieties such as Mourvèdre and Cabernet Sauvignon, its Cinsault is a delicious departure from the state’s better-known wines. Lighter-bodied and juicy, with ripe red fruit and spice, it’s best enjoyed lightly chilled.
Where to find: Multiple locations
7. Lightsome Wines — Montepulciano
Austin native Adrienne Ballou started Lightsome Wines in 2017, and her small, bootstrapped winemaking operation in Stonewall now produces wines from Mediterranean varieties such as Montepulciano, Aglianico, Sangiovese and Grenache Blanc. Made using a minimal-intervention approach, the Montepulciano is deliciously savory, with ripe red fruit and plenty of acidity, making it an especially good pairing for red-sauce pasta or a cheeseburger.
Where to find: Dai Due, The Meteor, Bufalina, Strange Love, Lolo Wine Bar
8. Ron Yates Wines — Friesen Tempranillo
Tempranillo has experienced great success in Texas, and it’s no accident that Ron Yates makes some of the best in the state. While studying abroad in Spain as a UT student, Yates fell in love with the Spanish variety. His Friesen Tempranillo, made with grapes from the Texas High Plains, is a bold, full-bodied expression with dark berry flavors and an earthy character. Yates is also the owner of Spicewood Vineyards, where he continues to champion Tempranillo.
Where to find: While the Friesen Tempranillo is only available through the winery, Dai Due offers several other Ron Yates and Spicewood Vineyards wines.
9. Bending Branch — Tallent Vineyards Tannat
It’s hard to talk about Texas wine without mentioning Dr. Bob Young. A physician by training, Young became fascinated by the perceived health benefits of wine and went on to build Bending Branch around the marriage of traditional winemaking and modern technology. Tannat, in particular, has become a signature grape, with the winery earning a reputation for taking the French variety in unexpected directions. Fans of in-your-face reds should try the Tallent Vineyards Tannat, whose dark fruit and rustic tannins make it a natural match for Texas brisket and sausage.
Where to find: While the Tallent Vineyards Tannat is only available through the winery, Central Market offers several other Bending Branch wines.
10. Messina Hof — Bonarrigo Heritage Reserve
The Bonarrigo family has been making wine for seven generations, tracing its roots back more than 200 years to Messina, Sicily. Today, the family has nearly 50 years of winemaking history in Texas, where Bonarrigo Family Wines continues to honor the family’s Italian ancestry. The Heritage Reserve is a powerful blend of three classic varieties: Sagrantino, Sangiovese and Primitivo. Expect tart cherry, herbs and spice, with a rich, rustic character that pairs exceptionally well with a bowl of bolognese.
Where to find: Messina Hof Winery locations or online