Take tour of wineries near Houston area

9 wineries participate in Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail #texaswinetour

HOUSTON – If you're looking for a romantic way to celebrate February, how about wine tastings? You don't have to drive all the way to the Hill Country to get a taste of Texas wine. You can go wine tasting as close as an hour away from Houston.

Just 55 miles north of the hustle and bustle of Houston is the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail.

Harold and Joann Urbanosky have been married for six years. They like to visit the Bernhardt Winery in Plantersville. But, this weekend will be their first time on the wine trail. Five times each year, nine wineries between Interstate 45 and Highway 290 participate in the seasonal trail.

This time of year, the wineries pair up their best wines with a unique chocolate dish.

"We'll see what they have to show us and compare with each one," said wine enthusiast Harold Urbanosky.

"Wine and romance always go together with chocolate," said Barbara Young, another wine enthusiast.

Barbara and her husband Bob have been married for 40 years. They will go on the wine trail together.

Each winery is different.

"You have those wineries with the large vineyards," said Karla Nash, president of the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail. "You have smaller wineries, you know, wineries in quaint towns."

Nash also owns Cork This! -- a wine boutique in Montgomery.

"My winery is more of an urban setting," said Nash.

Over in Navasota at Retreat Hill Winery & Vineyard, it's about family and having a good time.

"We're going to make you feel at home," said Leigh Wilcox with Retreat Hill Winery & Vineyard. "You just get to socialize with people who live right next door to you."

Back at the Bernhardt Winery, couples like the Urbanoskys and the Youngs relax, sitting outside on the porch enjoying the hillside.

"A lot of people have not been over in this part before, in this area," said Jerri Bernhardt, owner of Bernhardt Winery. "We think we're special. We call ourselves the little Napa."

All of the wineries are within an hour's drive of each other.

Tickets are $45 for a couple or $25 for single tickets.

You can buy tickets online at www.texasbluebonnetwinetrail.com.

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