OUR SPONSORS
REAL ESTATE
DRIPPING SPRINGS
HILL COUNTRY
to Wimberley
PUBLISHER/AD SALES
Julie Spell Harrington 512-484-9716 • julie@hillcountrysun.com
EDITOR/DESIGN
Melissa Maxwell Ball 512-569-8212 • melissa@hillcountrysun.com
WRITERS
Bonnie Eissler
DISTRIBUTION Gerry Burns
COVER
Top Left: Ned Murphy. Photo courtesy Seventh Son Vineyards.
Bottom Left: Kelly Evers. Photo courtesy Kelly’s Hill Country BBQ. Right: Richard & Jacque Mason. Photo by Bonnie Eissler.
the Watershed ASSOCIATION
By BONNIE EISSLER
In September 2024, more than 70 individuals, from high school students to senior citizens, met at the Wimberley Community Center to attend a fourhour educational workshop, the Texas Watershed Steward program, designed to help residents improve and protect their water resources by getting involved in local watershed protection activities.
One of the speakers for the event, Michael Kuitu, geoscientist and certified floodplain manager, noted the impressive turnout for the workshop and said “this is a local entity that takes water quality very seriously.”
This is undoubtedly true. Most of us who live in this area are concerned about threats to our water supply and understand it must be protected. Much of our heightened awareness is due to the tireless education and outreach efforts of The Watershed Association.
Outreach to supporters and the general public is a key part of the nonprofit’s mission. Monthly newsletters connect people to local conservation initiatives and events like the watershed
See WATERSHED ASSN., Page 7
David Baker. Photo courtesy The Watershed Association.
Jacob’s Well. Photo courtesy The Watershed Association.
Something in the Water presents a Live at The Opera House Concert series to benefit The Watershed Association October 25 at 7A Ranch Opera House. Performances by Georgia Parker Swing Band TOP and Sentimental Family Band ABOVE. watershedassociation.org. Photos courtesy the artists.
steward program are also part of their outreach. The story behind The Watershed Association (originally Wimberley Valley Watershed Association) begins in the late 1990s, when David Baker (current Executive Director of The Watershed Association) recognized the threat to Jacob’s Well from development proposals to build a mobile home park and condos on top of the Well and to revive a plan for another golf course using water from the aquifer to water the course.
The non-profit association was formed to protect Jacob’s Well and Cypress Creek and to address water issues in the region. Jacob’s Well was saved from that particular development, but what is the current condition of this iconic artesian spring?
“The Jacob’s Well area and the Wimberley community face significant challenges that threaten the long-term health of the region,” David explains. “The most pressing concerns are overpumping of groundwater, prolonged drought conditions, and rapid over development.”
Jacob’s Well Natural Area is a beautiful preserve featuring hiking trails, bird watching and underwater caves - a popular destination for tourists. It is headwaters to Cypress Creek that flows through Wimberley into Blue Hole and the Blanco River.
David points out that the same issues impacting the flow of water to Jacob’s Well also impact the overall health of the surrounding ecosystems (all are part of the watershed we live in and that we must protect). “Overpumping has caused the Well to stop flowing for
WimberleyArts.org’s Art Crawl takes place on the first Thursday evenings of the month from 5 pm to 8 pm, with different themes, galleries open late, guest artists, tours, musical events, drinks, food and friends.
extended periods in recent years,” he says, “leaving the community without a vital source of both nature and water.”
While there are justifiably serious concerns about water, efforts are underway to protect and preserve these essential resources.
David says The Watershed Association has made remarkable progress in the past year, with key achievements to include conserving more than 500 acres in the Cypress Creek Watershed, as well as engaging 167,000 people through learning initiatives.
The association is also actively defending Groundwater Conservation Districts’ authority to protect Texas water, partnering with TESPA in a crucial legal battle against Aqua Texas.
The Watershed Association plays a critical role through its Art4Water program, which uses art to raise awareness about water conservation. The Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition, part of a collection currently on display at the Wimberley Village Library, highlights the connection between art, culture and conservation.
“The Wimberley community remains hopeful and resilient, with local organizations, residents and environmental advocates working to promote sustainable water management practices, protect open spaces and ensure responsible development,” David says.
It is never too late to become involved and see what you can do personally to help protect our precious natural resources.
FYI • Contact The Watershed Association at 512-722-3390, or visit the website at watershedassociation.org to find out everything you want to know about Art4Water, education and outreach, current issues, volunteer opportunities and much more.
The Watershed Association’s vision is for a future with clean, plentiful water flowing from Jacob’s Well into Cypress Creek, a healthy ecosystem essential to the culture and economy of the Wimberley Valley.
Over the past two decades, our broader mission has emerged to include fostering community awareness of the watershed and the community’s responsibility to its watershed in the Wimberley Valley, across the Hill Country region, and throughout the state of Texas. At the heart of what we do is working to engage communities and provide experiences that reconnect people with nature. This principle runs throughout our six impact areas, which support implementing education, land conservation, and water policies to ensure water quality and availability for generations to come.
Cypress Creek. Photo courtesy Creekhaven Inn.
Kelly’s HILL COUNTRY BBQ
By BONNIE EISSLER
Kelly’s Hill Country BBQ, founded by local resident Kelly Evers, is the place to go for authentic Hill Country barbecue. He was still teaching middle school social studies classes and coaching in 2010 when Kelly added a weekend side gig to his already busy schedule. He began entering (and winning) barbecue competitions, leaving on Friday afternoons to go to contests in San Antonio and Houston.
It’s no surprise some of the biggest events and toughest competitors in the nation are right here in the Lone Star State, so winners and even highly-ranked contenders in that talented field are destined to attract a following.
Everyone loved Kelly’s low and slow pit-smoked brisket, sausage, chicken and ribs, and they clamored for more. This popularity guaranteed a loyal customer base and word-of-mouth marketing that would attract even more, both encouraging reasons for Kelly and his wife, Melody, to start selling barbecue on Saturdays out of a food trailer.
In 2016, Kelly quit his 20-year teaching job to follow his barbecue dreams. “We were the first food trailer in Wimberley,” he says, “we were an anomaly and had to jump through a lot of hoops.” Kelly says that one advantage of a food trailer versus a restaurant is the ability to focus and fine tune production. Kelly’s BBQ serves everything fresh every day.
The line of customers that begins to form at 11 am outside the trailer is a testament to the quality and popularity of the offerings at Kelly’s. They’re usually sold out by 2 pm or 3 pm. On Friday and Saturday, both pits are going, starting as early as 3 am
“The key is quality and consistency of the product and a staff that buys into your vision,” Kelly explains. His staff members are retired teachers and coaches.
“Greg Garrison, the head pit master, learned the business with me and he’s one of the best... he’s consistent and pays attention to details,” Kelly says.
This is Texas, after all, so brisket is the biggest seller at Kelly’s BBQ by far, however the Texan Turkey Sandwich is tender and tasty, an undisputed winner in the sandwich sweepstakes. The Austin American Statesman this year voted the specialty sandwich (turkey, arugula, pickled onions and Alabama White Sauce) as the best turkey sandwich in the Texas Hill Country.
Brisket, turkey, pork spare ribs, pork belly, pulled pork and sausage (regular, jalapeno and boudain) are all available by the
See KELLY’S HILL COUNTRY BBQ, Page 11
Kelly Evers. Photo courtesy Kelly’s Hill Country BBQ.
The Evers family at work. Photo courtesy Kelly’s Hill Country
Greg Garrison. Photo courtesy Kelly’s Hill Country BBQ.
pound. The menu also features a variety of delicious sandwiches and tacos, loaded barbecue baked potatoes, sides (potato salad, mac and cheese, beans and coleslaw), as well an exceptionally good salted caramel banana pudding. Chicken wings are also available Friday nights from 5 pm until they sell out.
Every four years, Texas Monthly embarks on the daunting task of naming the 50 best barbecue establishments in Texas, a job made especially difficult since there are so many great barbecue joints in the State. “This is the list everyone wants to make,” Kelly explains. Kelly’s Hill Country BBQ made Texas Monthly’s honorable mention list in 2022, the same year they were rated number one in the Texas Barbecue Top 25, where judges raved that Kelly’s is “one of Texas’s best kept barbecue secrets... until now.”
The popular food trailer is certainly a treasured hometown favorite, and the appreciation flows both ways. “I love what I do,” Kelly says. “Wimberley has been very good to me and my family, and our customers are phenomenal people.”
But it’s not just the locals who love his barbecue. Word of Kelly’s delicious fare has spread far and wide. “We’re a destination in the barbecue world, we’ve had visitors from all over, people from as far away as Denmark have come here on barbecue tours,” Kelly says.
Stop by Kelly’s Hill Country BBQ and see what all the fuss is about. Come hungry, and be sure you get there early! Photos courtesy Kelly’s Hill Country BBQ.
FYI • Kelly’s Hill Country BBQ is located at 14306 Ranch Road 12. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am until they are sold out. Kelly’s also offers full service catering for holiday gatherings, weddings, corporate events, funerals and family reunions. For more information,call 512-947–1609, email info@khcbbq.com or visit the website at khcbbq.com.
KELLY’S
PLENTY TO DO & SEE AROUND WIMBERLEY
Wimberley Lions Market Day
Wimberley Market Days is the first Saturday of every month, March through December, from 7 am to 4 pm (rain or shine). You can peruse 475-plus booths filled with treasures along wide, paved, tree-shaded lanes, and choose from a variety of food and drink to enjoy. You’ll find everything you can’t live without. Local musicians gather at the spacious Lions Pavilion and entertain the crowds who sit in the shade to eat, drink and rest. Plenty of clean restroom facilities are provided, too. Admission is free; parking available for a donation. Wimberley Lions Club Market Day is at 601 FM 2325. There is ample parking in three Lions Club lots, plus other nearby private lots. For information, visit shopmarketdays.com.
Wimberley Valley Winery
Wimberley Valley Winery’s inviting tasting room invites a journey through the extensive collection. A wide range of wines are available – from sweets to dries, reds to whites, and sparkling. Wine educators can guide you through your choice of any five wines on the menu and provide background and tasting notes. On weekends, enjoy live music under the shady oak grove. Charcuterie boards and snacks available Monday through Thursday; a food truck serves up delicious wood-fired pizza, burgers, and more Friday and Saturday 11:30 am to 7:30 pm and Sunday 11:30 am to 5:30 pm. Located at 2825 Lone Man Mountain Road in Wimberley. Open Sunday through from Thursday 10 am to 6 pm and Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm. For more information, call 512-8472592 or visit wimberleyvalleywinery.com.
Seventh Son Vineyards
A family-owned and operated vineyard and tasting room is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1 pm to 6 pm. You can wander the property with a glass in hand, settle in under a canopy of Live Oaks or pull up a seat at the bar inside the beautiful, rustic tasting room. A full-range selection of red, white and rosé wines is offered. Want to try a little of everything? You can request a tasting and the kitchen offers shareable boards that pair perfectly with any bottle, with food specials rotating according to the season. Seventh Son Vineyards is located at 5424 Fischer Store Road in Wimberley. For more information, call 830-935-4078 or visit the website at seventhsonvineyards.com.
Did you say you love to shop? Well... then you have definitely landed in the right town! Wimberley is well known for its variety of unique shops, boutiques and galleries. You’re sure to find special shopping choices for just about everyone, as well an amazing selection of fine art, custom jewelry, gourmet food and gifts and fashion, plus plenty of options for dining and drinks on and around the on and all around the charming Square. Head to town, get out and explore, or plan your excursion online with information you can find online from the Wimberley Chamber at wimberley.org.
See THINGS TO DO & SEE, page 34
-----VISIT A LOCAL WINERY OR BREWERY-----
Lone Man Mountain Brewing
The Taproom and Beer Garden is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, offering beers by the taste, flight or pint and limited small batch bottled beers. Enjoy the beautiful weather off the Taproom or under a shady oak tree on any of the outdoor decks. A food truck serves woodfired pizza, gourmet burgers and more. Lone Man Mountain Brewing is at 2825 Lone Man Mountain Road in Driftwood. For information, call 512-847-2592 or visit lmmbrewing.co.
Middleton Brewing
Customers appreciate the high quality of the beer, friendly customer service and overall relaxing ambience at Middleton Brewing. Taproom hours are 2 pm to 10 pm Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; noon to 10 pm Friday and Saturday; noon to 9 pm Sunday. Middleton Brewing is located at 101 Oakwood Loop, San Marcos, TX, 78666. For more information, call 512-847-3435 or visit the website at middletonbrewingtx.com.
Rough House Brewing
Located on a 50-acre family ranch, Rough House Brewery makes tasty ales, crisp lagers and cave-aged beers that complement the Texas backdrop. Rough House is a kid and dog-friendly establishment. The kitchen serves up snacks and sandwiches (until one hour before closing). Open Thursday through Saturday 11 am to 9 pm and Sunday 11 am to 7 pm Rough House Brewing is located at 680 Oakwood Loop, San Marcos, TX, 78666. For more information, call 512-667-7000 or visit the website at roughhousebrewing.com.
DINING GUIDE
Please check business website and/or call ahead to verify hours & offerings.
Blanco Brew
14200 Ranch Road 12.
Organic coffee, fresh pastries, lunch specials and daily dessert specials. Monday-Friday 6:30 am to 6:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 7:30 am to 6:30 pm. blancobrew.com, 512-842-3400.
Brookshire Brothers Deli
14100 Ranch Road 12. 512-847-2296
Breakfast, lunch & dinner, signature fried chicken and beer on tap. Delivery & Curbside pickup available.
Chill’s on the Creek
14004 Ranch Road 12, on the Square Casual bar & grill. Indoor and great deck seating overlooking Cypress Creek. chillsonthecreek.com, 512-847-6060
Community Pizza & Beer Garden
111 Old Kyle Road.
Family friendly with live music, cold beer, full bar, house made pizza. communitybeergarden.com, 512-412-0914.
Creekhouse Kitchen + Bar
14015 Ranch Road 12
Modern Texas Fare & Finely Crafted Cocktails on Cypress Creek. creekhousewtx.com, 512-722-3394.
Dairy Queen
14600 Ranch Road 12. 10 am to 11 pm daily. 512-847-3670.
Dos Olivos Market
13904 Ranch Road 12. Food, wine. dosolivosmarkets.com, 512-842-3044
Driftwood Bistro
4001 Elder Hill Road, Dritwood Amazing views! thedriftwoodbistro.com, 737-414-0222
Durango’s Authentic Mexican Food
401 FM 2325.
Delicious carne guisada, rice, beans, migas, tacos made to order, more. durangoswimberley.com, 512-847-3473
Hays City Store & Ice House
8989 FM 150, Driftwood. Full bar, 50+ beers. hayscitystoretx.com, 512-722-3905.
Hildee’s on the Square 13900 Ranch Rd 12, Restaurant and bar with Hill Country cuisine and crafted cocktails, wine, beer. hildeeswimberley.com, 512-222-9904
Jobell Café & Bistro
16920 Ranch Road 12.
Upscale bistro fare in rustic, intimate environment. Casual. Wine, beer. Indoor/outdoor seating. jobellcafe.com, 512-847-5700
Kelly’s Hill Country Barbecue - Food Trailer 14306 Ranch Road 12.
Tuesday - Saturday 11 am ’til sold out. 512-947-1609.
Longleaf Craft Kitchen + Bar 314-A Wimberley Square. Chef-inspired, handcrafted menu. Craft cocktails, beer and wine. longleafwimberley.com, 512-842-3044
Marco’s Italian Restaurant
303 Wimberley Square.
Salads, pastas, pizza, more. Open Wednesday through Saturday 4 pm to 9 pm. marcoswimberley.com, 512-847-0742.
Mima’s Tacos
701 FM 2325.
Popular family owned & operated Tex-Mex restaurant. 512-847-1305.
Oldie’s Burger’s & More
411 FM 2325.
Burgers, sides and more! Tuesday through Friday 11 am to 3 pm, Saturday 11 am ‘til sold out. oldieswimberley.com, 512-842-3363.
Pizza Hut
101 FM 2325. order.pizzahut.com, 512-847-2844
Rosita’s Food Truck
14306 Ranch Road 12 at the Junction. Monday-Friday 7 am to 2 pm. 512-648-1342.
Savage’s Hill Country Bar & Grill
9595 Ranch Road 12. Sandwiches, salads, melts, burgers, appetizers and more, plus a full bar. savageshillcountrybar.com, 512-842-3114
Social on the Square
701 FM 2325.
Beer, wine, bubbly bar serving charcuterie from Hill Country Grazing Co. socialonthesquare.com, 512-842-3070.
Subway
809 Ranch Road 2325. 512-847-7824
Taqueria San Judas
801 FM 2325.
Authentic and delicious Mexican dishes, including quesadillas, tortas, enchiladas, street tacos, birra,huaraches, breakfast tacos and more. 512-722-3357.
The Deli Llama at Shady Llama Beer & Wine Garden on Ranch Road 12 Pressed sandwiches, salads and more. theshadyllama.com.
The Leaning Pear
111 River Road, # 110. Hill Country inspired cuisine. Indoor/outdoor seating. Beer and wine. LeaningPear.com, 512-847-7327
The Let Go
13904 Ranch Rd 12 Suite 1. Sandwiches, tacos, burgers, more! theletgobar.com. 512-858-6751
Wimberley Cafe
9595 Ranch Road 12.
Breakfast, sandwiches and homestyle entrees. Daily lunch specials. wimberleycafe.com, 512-847-3333
Wimberley Inn + Bar
701 FM 2325.
Monday - Thursday 4 pm-10 pm, Friday 3 pm-10 pm, Saturday 9am10 pm, Sunday 9 am-3 pm. wimberleyinn.com/dining, 512-847-3750.
Wall Street Western TOO
By BONNIE EISSLER
Jacque and Richard Mason were excited about opening a second store just a couple of doors down from Jacque’s Wall Street Western, Wimberley’s original “rockstar western boutique.” After much reflection about what would be most appealing to customers, they decided to spotlight Texas Hill Country life, with an expertly curated collection that includes clothing and accessories, hats, art, jewelry, sunglasses, collectibles and cigars.
Wall Street Western Too is a “sister” store that may actually be more of a “brother” store. Although there’s a lot here that will be of interest to the ladies as well as to the gents, the overall décor and ambience is decidedly masculine, and men especially will love shopping here (and not just for the cigars).
Jacque says, “I was surprised that men spend more time trying on clothes than the women do.” Well, that’s understandable since there are so many stylish, cool and comfortable shirts to choose from companies like Sendero and Raised by Coyotes.
“We focus on Texas brands,” Jacque says, “we have apparel from Sendero which is based in Waco.” The baseball caps from Sendero were the first items they carried in the store and these proved to be so popular that they added shirts and bandanas to the Sendero collection. Their polo shirts are made from cool lightweight moisturewicking fabric with high mobility stretch, and often feature retro cowboy patterns. Sendero’s button front shirts are made from 100% cotton with western details including yokes and pearl snap buttons.
Raised by Coyotes was founded by another Texan, Orlando Rios, who grew up in Kingsville, a “pickup truck town where you can count on your neighbors and family always comes first.”
See WALL STREET WESTERN TOO, Page 20
He started this brand because he wanted a performance polo he could wear on the golf course and he wanted shirts that celebrated the culture he grew up with. One design — the Texas BBQ Polo— is covered with images of cattle and BBQ meats and condiments and other iconic Texas motifs. It’s probably not for everyone, but a confident modern cowboy would love it!
Many of the ball caps, bandanas and shirts from Sendero and Raised by Coyotes make ideal gifts for men who have a sense of humor about their hobbies and passions. Their modern spin on the Western genre is reflected in a dizzying array of western and southwestern themes and motifs—cowboys and rodeo queens, javelinas and cactus, rattlesnakes and armadillos-- with some golfing, football, BBQ and pickup trucks thrown into the mix. And then there are the hats, a whole wall of hats. The hit neowestern television series Yellowstone may have spurred a nationwide surge in the popularity of cowboy hats across all walks of life, but these have a timeless appeal for Texans, who have worn them for as long as anyone can remember.
When John B. Stetson invented the first commercially manufactured cowboy hat in 1865, he couldn’t have known that it would be a major fashion accessory in the 21st century. Wall Street Western Too carries the Stetson brand, along with
hats made by Resistol, American Hat Company, Charlie 1 Horse and other companies, each offering its own unique blend of price, quality and style.
“We customize many hats,” Jacque says. Richard uses a high performance hat steamer that’s set up in the back of the store to steam and shape hats. They have different decorative embellishments such as vintage silk ribbon, lace and feathers to personalize the customers’ hats. Richard distresses some hats for an “instant aging” effect to add character and authenticity.
Richard has high praise for the BEX sunglasses the store now carries. He says, “they were designed by a rodeo guy who wanted glasses that would stay on securely.” These high-quality glasses are extremely lightweight, polarized and highly engineered.
This isn’t your typical western store, but it does celebrate the best of the West, the reality as well as the idyllic and the mythic. Photos courtesy Wall Street Western Too.
FYI • Wall Street Western Too is located 14008 Ranch Road 12, Hours are Sunday to Thursday 10 am to 5 pm and Friday and Saturday 10 am to 6 pm. For more information, call 512-656-2424 or visit wallstreetwestern.com.
KINGDOM FLORAL DESIGNS by Amber
By BONNIE EISSLER
Amber Wood creates strikingly impressive floral arrangements in a variety of sizes and styles, including traditional, romantic, modern and seasonal. “I’ve always loved decorating every house I’ve lived in,” she says, “I enjoy adding a feminine touch that makes the rooms prettier.”
Kingdom Floral Designs by Amber, founded in January 2024, has quickly become a leading supplier for homeowners, businesses and event planners seeking floral art pieces for holiday decorating, to complement their home decor, or enhance the ambience of a special occasion. Amber’s interest in home decorating started early. Her dad is a custom home builder and her mom, who got her start working with her dad in a furniture store in Tyler over 40 years ago, owns The Love Your Space Place, a luxury furniture and home design store in Wimberley. As a third generation home decorator, Amber says, “I guess it’s in my blood.”
The art of flower arranging, from real and artificial flowers, has a long and storied history, stretching back to the real, sometimes golden, laurel wreaths of ancient Rome, the enormous silk chrysanthemums crafted in Beijing, and the explosion of floral artists in the Victorian Era (1830-1900) who assembled lavish displays of roses, tulips, lilies
See KINGDOM FLORAL, Page 24
and trailing ferns and ivy. Wax models of fruits and flowers, protected under glass domes, became part of mainstream Victorian culture.
Although techniques and materials have evolved considerably since the Victorian era, the artists’ appreciation for nature’s bounty and their passion for making their surroundings more beautiful still resonate with modern floral artists.
Amber finds inspiration from nature as God’s creation and from her Christian faith. One of her favorite scriptures is Ephesians 5:2, which says to live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ. She adds a personal touch to her finished arrangements by tucking in a little slip of paper inscribed with a scriptural reference that conveys a joyful or encouraging sentiment.
Amber’s floral designs are a mixture of real elements -- geodes, preserved moss, dried mushrooms, pine cones and feathers -combined with “soft touch” and “real touch” high end flowers and foliage, that are indistinguishable in appearance from their natural counterparts. “I want the arrangements to be as natural as possible but to last forever,” says Amber.
Real touch flowers are highly detailed. They look and feel amazingly real because they are molded to replicate the actual veins in the leaves and the shape and tilt of the natural flower stems and petals. Besides being very durable, they’re also low maintenance and have a low impact on the environment.
Building the design begins with the container and these come in many interesting forms: an ornate metal tray, a hand carved acacia wood bread bowl, clay pots and ceramic vases, a sandblasted grapevine log, a vintage water pot from India and extra tall sea grass containers for a custom arrangement featuring Real Touch greenery, prickly pear cactus with orange bloom, eucalyptus stems, artichokes and more. We’re now eagerly waiting for fall to arrive bringing the promise of cooler temperatures, pumpkin and apple desserts, and all the rich vibrant colors of the season.
Amber is ready for the change of season with gorgeous arrangements that embrace the essential autumnal elements. Her Harvest Tray Centerpiece hits all the right textural and color notes, with an orange velvet pumpkin, a wooden turkey, off white sunflower, green mushroom and dried burgundy phalaris. Explore the collections online or visit in person to better experience these meticulously crafted floral creations.
FYI • Kingdom Floral Designs is located inside The Love Your Space Place at 600 FM 3237. Pre-made arrangements are available, as well as custom design services. For information and to see photos of many floral arrangements by Amber, visit kingdomfloraldesignbyamber.com. You can also email amber@kfdba.com or call 214-908-0078.
Amber Wood. Photo courtesy Kingdom Floral Designs.
VINTAGE OAKS FARM
By BONNIE EISSLER
Bill and Sissi Baskin are the owners of Vintage Oaks Farm, a wedding and event venue in Driftwood, Texas. They moved here after losing their home during the devastating flash floods that hit Austin in the early morning hours of October 31, 2013.
This Hill Country haven, with abundant wildlife, rolling landscapes and mature oak trees, is ideal for weddings, reunions, corporate retreats, private parties and events; however that wasn’t the case ten years ago. “The property was in total disarray,” Sissi says. Fortunately, Bill is a master builder and he loves building, and with the help of family and friends, they remodeled the house that’s now the event center, added the garden pavilion, landscaping and a stunning open air chapel.
The couple had moved to Austin from California in 2008, when Sissi transferred for her work. They may not be native Texans – Bill was born and raised in San Francisco, but they feel very much at home. “We love living here, ” Sissi says.
She continued work with her company (she was a paralegal for 30 years) but the long hours and extensive travel — while Bill was happily building and transforming the farm into the showplace it is today — began to take a toll on her. Was she ready to retire? When a friend asked her one day, “What is it that you really want to do?” it was a surprisingly easy decision. There was no doubt in her mind that her heart was in the Hill Country and she’d rather spend her time and creative energy at Vintage Oaks Farm.
“The first wedding we had here was our daughter’s,” Sissi smiles, “after looking at different venue options, she wanted to get married on the farm. Then there were friends who said they’d like to have their weddings here, and it just took off from there.”
“We keep our prices low and pride ourselves on being a beautiful venue that allows you the freedom to personalize the space.” Vintage Oaks Farm accommodates every wedding type – traditional, modern,
See VINTAGE OAKS FARM, Page 28
Photo by Victoria Alaniz Photos.
Bill and Sissi Baskin. Photo courtesy Vintage Oaks Ranch.
vintage, rustic -- and they can help you plan the celebration you want. “We have a wedding planner who will get started as soon as the booking is made,” Sissi says.
The ceremony can be held indoors in the air conditioned event center or outdoors under the shade of the giant oak trees. The outdoor pavilion is a semi-enclosed space connected to the event hall, which has a covered entrance and a stage with lighting for live bands or karaoke. The open air chapel offers the “perfect blend of the tranquil outdoors and a traditional chapel,” and is the highlight (save for the bride and groom) for many of the weddings at Vintage Oaks Farm. Nestled in a grove of oak trees, with twinkling lights and oversized freestanding framed windows that appear to be floating, the open air chapel is pure magic, like something out of a fairy tale.
There are many amenities, visual treats and little perks. Have an engagement photo shoot on the property with the 1930 Model-A or with the gorgeous quarter horses. The prized Model-A Ford belonged to Sissi’s mother. “She said this vintage car would be great for Vintage Oaks, so we had it sent here from Pebble Beach, California, where she lives,” Sissi says, “it’s fabulous for pictures and at the end of the evening when the bride and groom are ready to leave, Bill drives them away in the Model-A!”
FYI • Vintage Oaks Farm is located at 400 Limestone Lane in Driftwood. Visit the website at VintageOaksFarm.com to see photos, take a virtual tour of the property, see a detailed list of everything included in the three day (and other) wedding packages, and find answers to any additional questions you may have. For more information, call 888-5433487 or email sissi@vintageoaksfarm.com.
Photo by Simone Corprew.
Photo by EMP Love Stories.
Photo by Simone Corprew.
Photo by Victoria Alaniz Photos.
Acupressure
Seventh Son Vineyards
By BONNIE EISSLER
Awinding road over rugged terrain leads visitors to Seventh Son Vineyards where the tasting room appears like a welcoming shelter surrounded by live oaks and wooden lawn chairs arranged in cozy seating areas within sight of the vineyards. Erik Flores, a talented singer songwriter based in Austin, is playing guitar and singing on the patio.
When the Murphy family purchased the property in 2012, it was still a working cattle ranch. Ned Murphy says they didn’t move here with the intention of planting a vineyard. “That developed gradually over several years,” he says, “we planted a few grapevines and some olive trees (the olive trees didn’t survive), we planted more grapes that did survive and by July 2021 there were 3500 vines and we realized it was time to do something with the harvest.”
In Irish folklore, there’s a belief that mystical powers are bestowed on some by virtue of the order of their birth, specifically that the seventh son has supernatural powers. Ned is indeed the seventh born son. It might be said that transforming a cattle ranch into a thriving vineyard in a fairly short time period is rather magical.
Ned is quick to point out that this is a family owned and operated vineyard and that family and friends have helped from the beginning with building, planting and harvesting. He says “I smoke the meats (for the charcuterie boards) every week, my wife bakes the cookies (red wine reduction and chocolate that’s a house specialty), our daughter designed the labels for the wine bottles.”
Ned Murphy. Photo courtesy Seventh Son Vineyards.
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SON
from Page 30
The cheeses are from local sources, the bread is baked in house, the pecans are grown in Texas and roasted in house and all wines served in the tasting room are 100% Texan. “We want to celebrate the Texas Hill Country,” Ned says.
One way to celebrate this particular region of Texas is to face the realities about the kinds of grapes that will and will not grow well here. As Ned explains, “this is not California or the Pacific Northwest or any other wine producing region in the country, so we have to grow the kinds of grapes that are suitable for this area.”
They grow four varietals: Mourvèdre (southern Rhone Valley), Montepulciano (central Italy), Tempranillo (Spain and Portugal), and Picpoul Blanc (Rhone Valley).
All of these fare well because this area, even with the limestone, poor soil and blistering hot weather, is similar to the climate and terrain in those European countries. The grapes feel right at home. “We grow the fruit here, we crush and process it in the Texas Hill Country,” Ned says, “our estate wines are single vintage, which means using grapes from the same growing year, and single varietal which means using only one type of grape.”
Single varietal wines showcase the flavor and aroma of the specific grape variety, and the name on the wine bottle is the same as the name of the grape. They are often produced in regions where a particular variety of grape is well suited for the local climate and soul conditions.
The tasting room merits special mention. The design’s distinctive lines, large windows, and close proximity to the vineyard visually connect the interior space to the outdoors, bringing in the sky and the trees and the vines.
There are additional features in the tasting room that celebrate the culture and history of the hill country. The bar top is made from salvaged cypress from the Memorial Day Flood, the fieldstone is from clearing the fields where the family planted the Mourvedre, and the live edge cedar beams and posts were all cut to order by The Trading Post, a local sawmill north of Dripping Springs. Tables are made out of old box car floorings from a local artisan and art from creative regulars is proudly displayed on the walls.
Seventh Son Vineyards wines are currently available in the tasting room and a few local restaurants: Hildee’s On The Square and Marco’s in Wimberley, Salt Lick Cellars in Driftwood, and Biga on the Banks in San Antonio. Photos courtesy Seventh Son Vineyards.
FYI • Seventh Son Vineyards is at 5424 Fischer Store Road. The Tasting Room is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1 pm to 6 pm. For more information, call 830-935-4078 or visit seventhsonvineyards.com.
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DO & SEE AROUND WIMBERLEY
EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens
The EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens, where founders Ann and Norm Rolling and their team welcome visitors daily, is a Wimberley treasure. Bring a picnic, stroll the paths, play in the musical gardens and enjoy a game of chess or checkers on the oversized board. Or, hike to the top of the hill to the Veterans Memorial Plaza for spectacular 360-degree views around the Wimberley Valley.
In addition to providing a relaxing retreat, the EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens offers a wealth of family entertainment and theatre, as well as a truly special place of remembrance of loved ones.
Don’t miss the 26th Annual Trail of Lights November 30 through December 26. You can find details about all upcoming productions and events on the website at emilyann.org.
The EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens is located at 1101 Farm Market 2325 in Wimberley. For more information, call 512-847-6969.
Play a round (or two) of Mini Golf
Wimberley National Mini Golf offers an exciting and challenging 18-hole Texas-themed mini golf course perfect for all ages and skill levels. It’s also a great place to celebrate birthdays or special events. Hours are 9 am to 8 pm Sunday, Monday and Thursday and 9 am to 8:30 pm Friday and Saturday.
Wimberley National Mini Golf is at 15354 Ranch Road 12. For more information, call 512-550-4025, email info@wimberleynational.com or find them on Facebook.
From Page 14
Wimberley Valley Museum
The Wimberley Valley Museum is located in the historic WintersWimberley House. Opened in 2018, museum exhibits tell the story of the history of Wimberley, the early settlers who operated the mill, and the families who contributed to the growth of this “little piece of heaven” in the Hill Country. It is a “picture and story museum,” with easy to read, interesting storyboards. Open with docents every Friday and the first Saturday of each month from 10 am to 4 pm Tours at other times can be arranged. Admission is free.
The Wimberley Valley Museum is located at 14068 Ranch Road 12, next to the Wimberley Visitors Center. For information, visit WimberleyValleyMuseum.org or call 832-545-5036.
A great listening experience at Susanna’s Kitchen Coffee House
Music lovers, take note! The beloved Susanna’s Kitchen Coffee House monthly concert series is hosted the third Thursday of each month at Wimberley’s United Methodist Church.
This intimate smoke- and alcohol-free venue, offers the audience a wonderful listening experience with renowned Texas artists. 2024 performances include Jeff Black October 17, Adam and Chris Carroll November 21, Terry Hendrix and Lloyd Maines December 19. The 2025 musical lineup includes Warren Hood January 16, Del Castillo February 20, Jeff Plankenhorn March 20, Jimmy Davis April 17 and the Lost Austin Band May 15.
Photo courtesy Warren Hood
Doors open by 7 pm, music starts at 7:30 pm. Food and drink is available for purchase, including tamales, pie, coffee and sodas.
Wimberley United Methodist Church is at 1200 County Road 1492. All are welcome, tickets available at the door. For more information, visit wimberleyumc.org/events/susannaskitchen.
Photo by Maengel Gonce.
Real estate PRofessionals
BARBARA LATIMER
Broker Associate/ Branch Manager
HILLS OF TEXAS/ SKY REALTY
Barbara’s career in real estate began in 1997 and transitioned to top producer and eventually Broker/Owner at Hills of Texas Realty. In 2015, her company merged with Austin-based Sky Realty to become Hills of Texas/Sky Realty, where she is Branch Manager.
Originally from Houston and a graduate of the University of Texas, Barbara and her husband live in Wimberley. They love the beauty of the Texas Hill country and feel blessed to call it their home.
If you are in need of a real estate professional, contact Barbara. She and her experienced group of Realtors® are ready to help you buy or sell a home, unimproved land, waterfront property or ranch.
TRACI PHILLIPS
Assoc. Broker/Realtor, CRS, ABR, ALC
TEAM LEAD WITH AMY DOYLE and KELLY JAMES are the Texas Land Ladies!
& RANCH REAL ESTATETHE HILL COUNTRY GROUP
We are located in the middle of one of the most desirable areas to live, according to US News and World Report and MSN. We would love to help you find your piece of the Hill Countrywhether you are looking for a home in town or a large ranch and everything in between..
With 40-plus years of experience, we are ready to use our experience and knowledge for you. We serve ALL of the Texas Hill Country which is rare!
Traci, our team lead, has been voted “Best of Wimberley — Best Real Estate Agent” for the past four years, nominated as “Best of Hays” and recognized as an outstanding Woman in Leadership for Hays County in 2020 and Visionary in 2021. The connections she has gained over the years are a benefit not many can offer. We love what we do - and our many clients can attest - our clients are the focus and we would love to have you be part of those satisfied clients!
LOCAL
EVENTS
FIRST SUNDAY
Wimberley Coffee & Cars
Anyone with a hot rod, muscle car, sports car, exotic, classic truck or unique ride is welcome to come out and put your car on display. 8 am to 11 am. Blanco Brew, 14200 Ranch Road 12.
FIRST THURSDAY
First Thursday Art Crawl
Galleries stay open late for special activities, themes, food, drink and more. gallerytrail.com/artcrawl.
THURSDAY - SUNDAY
Live Glassblowing at Wimberley Glass Works
Watch a team of artisans create beautiful art glass using age-old techniques before your eyes. 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. 6469 Ranch Road 12, San Marcos. 512-393-3316, WGW.com.
EVERY FRIDAY
Live Bingo at the VFW
Four-game “Early Bird” session starts at 7:15 pm. Main event at 8 pm with 10 games and a midway intermission. Oldham-Cummings VFW Post 6441, 401 Jacobs Well Road.
FIRST SATURDAY
Wimberley Market Days. (March-December)
Shop the Hill Country’s largest outdoor market, with 490 booths on 20 oak shaded acres. 7 am to 3 pm. Lions Field. 601 FM 2325.
THIRD SATURDAY
Art Bazaar at Wimberley Valley Winery
Local artists, wine, beer, pizza, live music and more! Artists interested in participating, please call Denice Calley at 512-203-2817 or email feefyefaux@yahoo.com. Noon to 6 pm at 2825 Lone Man Mountain Road. wimberleyvalleywinery.com.
MOST WEEKENDS
Wimberley Glassworks Blown Glass Classes
(Through April 2025) Experience the thrill of creating your own glass piece in our glassblowing studio with the help of our team of artisans. Reserve your space at wimberleyglassart.com.
OCTOBER 12, 19, 26
Haunted Trail
Prepare for an unforgettable night of chills and thrills as Blue Hole transforms its scenic hiking trails into a spine-tingling Haunted Trail. Brace yourself for an immersive experience filled with eerie encounters, ghastly surprises, and the rustle of unseen creatures lurking in the shadows, featuring local theater department actors. 8 pm to 9 pm. wimberleyparksandrec.com.
OCTOBER 12-13
Wimberley Music Fest 2024
Featuring Sarah Jarosz, Susan Gibson, Bri Bagwell, HalleyAnna Finlay, the Hill Country Honeys and more! Benefits Barnabus Connection. Details wimberleymusicfest.com.
OCTOBER 18, NOVEMBER 15 & DECEMBER 20
Songwriter Showdown
Calling all local songwriters! Share your music and win some cash. Or come for delicious wine, cheer on songwriters at Wimberley Valley Winery. wimberleyvalleywinery.com/upcoming-events.
See LOCAL EVENTS, page 44
Real Estate Professionals
GREG WARD Hill Country Realtor 12 RIVERS REALTY
Greg has been in the business of helping people realize their dream for more than 25 years. He is a dedicated real estate professional that knows how to get results.
Greg and his wife of 44 years live in Wimberley and enjoy the Hill Country lifestyle. Before moving to Wimberley and focusing on hill country real estate, Greg had the good fortune of acquiring several parcels of land near Breckenridge, Colorado he developed into mountain homesites, which he marketed and sold himself.
He also purchased acreage near Kansas City he developed plus constructed 30+ new homes, which he called Timber Hill Farms. Three decades later, Greg and his wife made their way back to Texas and are very happy to call Wimberley home!
LINDA GERMAIN Realtor, ABR, GRI, SRES, SRS KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY
Linda Germain has been a Realtor here in the Texas Hill Country with Keller Williams Realty for the past 20 years, since starting her Real Estate career in 2004. Born and raised in San Francisco, CA, Linda attended San Francisco State College, majored in Business, and then spent more than 25 years in retail management for major retailers.
Outstanding customer service has always been a high priority in Linda’s retail career and remains her number one priority in working with her Real Estate clients. She is a member of the National and Texas Association of Realtors, as well as the Austin Board of Realtors.
Linda and her husband, Gene, moved to Wimberley 20 years ago and both are active, involved members of the Community. Linda is again serving on the Board of Directors for the Wimberley Valley Chamber of Commerce, having served two previous terms on the Board, two of those years as Chairperson. She is past President and current Membership Chair/Secretary for the Wimberley Community Chorus and previously served two terms as Secretary of the Wimberley Valley Arts & Cultural Alliance (WVACA).
As a long-time volunteer for Alzheimer’s Texas, Linda facilitates the monthly Wimberley Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group, teaches classes for caregivers of Dementia patients and works as a volunteer with the ‘Circle of Friends’ Respite Program, held weekly at the Wimberley Community Center. “It is a joy to live here in Wimberley and an honor to serve and ‘give back’ to the Wimberley Community.”
PARTNERS IN REAL ESTATE GROUP
KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY
Partners In Real Estate Group is the “premier real estate experts” in Wimberley, Dripping Springs, Blanco, and the Texas Hill Country. As highly trained, full time, experienced Real Estate Agents with Keller Williams Realty, Partners In Real Estate Group are always your best resource for the Texas Hill Country Real Estate information and community knowledge. We work with both buyers and sellers sharing our extensive knowledge in the latest real estate strategies. Partners In Real Estate Group has a team of agents with more than 50 years’ experience combined. We are a very knowledgeable experienced team that specializes in residential homes, water properties, lots and ranch properties. Stop by our office in Wimberley today.
Wimberley History
The Wimberley Square in the 1930s.
Photo courtesy Dorothy Wimberley Kerbow.
In the 1850s, Wimberley had a grist mill, tannery, store, shoe shop, and a school that was also used as a church and meeting hall. By the 1870s, it also had a blacksmith. By 1880, the Post Office was set up. By 1900, nine houses were built around the Wimberley Square. By the 1920s, the county finally started to improve roads in and out of the village (the road to San Marcos was paved in 1921). By 1939, electricity was available. The population tripled from 1880 to 1947, based on estimates by the Post Office, to a little more than 400 people.
Around Wimberley...
REV. KEVIN
LJ SCHUBERT ST. STEPHENS
Whoever you are, and wherever you find yourself on the journey of faith, you are welcome at St. Stephen’s! We have many wonderful offerings of fellowship, worship, lifelong learning, and outreach that are integral to the community. “We are truly a welcoming community that is committed to being in relationship with God and one another. It is my great pleasure and honor to welcome you.” – The Rev. Kevin LJ Schubert, Rector of St. Stephen’s
On Sundays we offer two worship services: one at 8 am in the Chapel and another at 10:30 am in the Sanctuary. Children’s Sunday School is offered during the 10:30 am service, September through May. The Nursery, for ages infant through 4 years, is available Sundays during Sunday worship and during adult Lifelong Learning classes. We have also an active program for Teens that meets weekly.
Adults have opportunities for lifelong learning on Sundays, as well as Bible study groups, and social and service activities throughout the week. We also offer a mid-week Holy Eucharist service on the first Wednesday of each month at 10:30 am in the Chapel, which includes healing prayers for those in need. For all the details on worship, classes, and fellowship gatherings, visit the church website at www.ststeve.org.
REV. JIM DENHAM CHAPEL IN THE HILLS
Chapel in the Hills is a Christian, Interdenominational Church that has been serving the Lord here in Wimberley since 1949. If you are curious about our worship style, music, and the way we worship, please go on-line to our Facebook page and watch one of our services. This will tell you much about our Church and Sunday worship, but when you visit, you will discover our personal friendship and fellowship for yourself.
Reverend Jim Denham has served as Pastor for this Chapel twice: from 1999 to 2008, then returning in 2014 to again serve as Pastor. He has also served as a Hospice Chaplain, Hospital Chaplain, and pastor in several other congregations here in Texas.
Our church’s tag line for decades has been “There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met.” Come for a visit on Sundays at 9 am with Guitar music, or at 11 am with a Choir and English handbells. Hope to see you on Sunday.
Sunday Services: 9 am Church Service, 10 am Sunday School, 11 am Church Service. WimberleyChapelInTheHills.com (online service).
Photo by John Ball.
Photo by Maengel Gonce.
Photo by Maengel Gonce.
LOCAL CHURCHES
CHAPEL IN THE HILLS
14601 Ranch Rd 12
512-847-9762
wimberleychapelinthehills.com
HILL COUNTRY
COWBOY CHURCH
120 Green Acres Drive
512-847-9526
hillcountrycowboychurch.com
COWBOYS FOR JESUS
8400 FM 32 Fischer, TX
210-389-6235
cowboysforjesus.com
CYPRESS CREEK CHURCH
211 Stillwater
512-847-1222
cypresscreekchurch.com
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
15951 Winters Mill Pkwy.
512-847-9035
fbcwimberley.com
FREEDOM VALLEY FELLOWSHIP
10691 Ranch Road 12
512-680-9765
freedomvalleyfellowship.org
JEHOVAH’S WITNESS
443 Jacobs Well Road
512-847-8129 • jw.org
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION
Spoke Hill at RR 12
512-847-3386
welcometonewlife.org
ST MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH
14711 Ranch Rd 12
512-847-9181
smwimberley.org
ST STEPHEN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
6000 Ranch Road 3237
512-847-9956
ststeve.org
UNITY
CHURCH OF WIMBERLEY
455 White Wings Road
512-847-6587
unityofwimberley.com
WIMBERLEY CHURCH OF CHRIST
15500 Ranch Rd. 12
512-847-9357
wimberleychurchofchrist.org
WIMBERLEY
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
13706 Ranch Rd 12
512-847-3853
wimberleychristianchurch.com
WIMBERLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
956 Ranch Rd 2325
512-847-5292
wimpres.org
WIMBERLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
CR 1492 & RR 12
512-847-3109
wimberleyumc.org
Call ahead for info about services, online services, etc
DO & SEE AROUND WIMBERLEY
Wimberley Zipline
Experience high-flying fun on an action packed ride at Wimberley Zipline, as you soar over canyons and creeks with 15-mile views of the Wimberley Valley on a series of 10 zip line crossings. Tours last 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Tours are $110 per person, including taxes, parking, equipment, training, guided walking tour, bottled water, and all 10 lines of the Zipline Adventure. Reservations are required. Wimberley Zipline is located south of Wimberley on Four Winns’ Ranch at 300 Winn Valley Drive. Advance reservations required; guests must be 9 years of age or older; legal guardian must sign release for participants less than 18. Visit wimberleyzipline.com or call 512-847-9990.
Wimberley Players
Founded in 1979, the Wimberley Players are the oldest non-profit organization in town. The group’s mission is to provide first-class live theater and they do not disappoint! If you have the opportunity, catch a performance in the intimate Wimberley Playhouse. Don’t miss “Miracle on 34th Street” November 15 - December 8. Details and tickets at wimberleyplayers.org. The Wimberley Playhouse is at 450 Old Kyle Road. For more information, call 512- 847-0575
Bootiful Wimberley
Have you ever seen anything like it? Spend some time enjoying the 6-foot fiberglass cowboy boots — painted by area artists — all over town! A project of the Wimberley Valley Arts and Cultural Alliance, the whimsical “Bootiful Wimberley” collection includes 60 unique and artisticlly themed boots. Head on over to bootifulwimberley.com for information and a Boot Trail map.
Visit 7A Ranch for shopping, more!
A Western town of the 1880s, Pioneer Town is a sight to see! Enjoy an old-fashioned arcade and great shopping (think awesome Wimberley souvenirs and tees) at Blanco River Outfitters during office hours. Take a train ride on the nostalgic Pioneer Express, with rides offered Saturday 9 am to 1 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm, and Sunday 9 am-1 pm. All of this in addition to comfortable cabins and lodges for larger groups and meetings, right on the Blanco River. Find out more at 7aranch.co.
Climb Mount Baldy
Experience the iconic Wimberley landmark, and get some exercise to boot! Once at the top of the 218 rock steps, you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views of the Wimberley Valley. Mount Baldy has been the site of marriage proposals, scout camping trips, and family traditions, and it’s also fitness lovers. Most just climb it for the magnificent view. To visit Old Baldy, head north on FM 2325 from the square. Go 1.7 miles and turn right on Woodcreek Drive, then take the first right onto El Camino Real. Travel 0.2 mi to the dead end, then turn right on La Toya Trail. After about a half mile, you will see the parking area and the Old Baldy steps.
Take a Hike at Blue Hole Regional Park
Within Wimberley’s Blue Hole Regional Park, there are 5.5 miles of trails to choose, with options for all types of hikers. In addition, two trails extend outside of the park. The Wimberley Hike and Bike Trail extends outside of the park limits for 2.2 miles one way, offering the chance to explore even more. To make the most of your adventure, check out the park’s trail map. This guide features trail locations along with accurate mileage, making it easy to plan your route and navigate the trails. Pick up a copy at the park, or download the map to take along with you on your phone. Blue Hole Regional Park is at 333 Blue Hole Lane. For more information, call 512-660-9111 or visit cityofwimberley.com.
Photo courtesy Wimberley Zipline.
Photo courtesy Wimberley Players.
OCTOBER 19
Best Little Dog Walk in Texas
Bring the whole family, whether they have two legs or four, to enjoy a morning gone to the dogs. Fun Fall Activities start at 9am before the walk begins at 10:30 am! First Baptist Church, 15951 Winters Mill Parkway. freedomcanines.com.
OCTOBER 19
Boo! Hole Halloween
Trick-or-treat trail, carnival games, a costume contest, haunted trail, s’mores, and photo booths. Admission is free. 4 pm to 10 pm at Blue Hole Regional Park, 333 Blue Hole Lane.
OCTOBER 19
21st Annual Hunter’s Night Out & 30-Gun Raffle
Tickets include a barbecue dinner, beverages, and chance to win one of 30 guns. Food/bar opens 5:30 pm; live music, bucket raffles, live auction, card scrambles. Under the Big Tent at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 14711 Ranch Road 12. Tickets at the door or online at HuntersNightOut.com.
OCTOBER 19-20
Blue Agave Art Fair
Shop the works of a wide variety of artists, photographers, sculptors, fiber artists, ceramicists, woodworkers, jewelry, more. Food trucks on site. Saturday 10:30 am to 5 pm, Sunday 11 am to 4 pm. Wimberley Community Center. WimberleyValleyArtLeague.org.
OCTOBER 24
Comedy Showcase in the Opera House
Get ready for a hilarious evening filled with top-notch comedy acts that will leave you in stitches at 7A Ranch’s Opera House in Pioneer Town. For ages 18 and up. 7:30 pm at 333 Wayside Drive. 7aranch.co.
OCTOBER 25
Something in the Water presents Live at The Opera House
Concert series to benefit Wimberley Valley Watershed Association. Features Georgia Parker Swing Band and Sentimental Family Band. Doors 6 pm, music 7 pm. 333 Wayside Drive. 7aranch.co, watershedassociation.org.
OCTOBER 26
Symphony of Wimberley’s Halloween Carnival Food, games, train ride, bounce houses, pumpkin and face painting. Kids’ costume contest at 2 pm, followed by fun trick or treating from 4 pm to 6 pm. 501 FM 3237.SymphonyOfWimberley.com.
OCTOBER 31
Trick-Or-Treating on the Wimberley Square
Bring the whole family and visit the merchants on the square for a community trick-or-treating experience. 4 pm to 7 pm.
NOVEMBER 1
Live Music with the Hill Country Honeys Wimberley based quartet performs from 4 pm to 7 pm at Wimberley Valley Winery. wimberleyvalleywinery.com/upcoming-events.
NOVEMBER 3
Harvest Moon Dinner, Dance & Silent Auction Fundraiser for Wimberley Valley Museum. Doors at 6 pm, dinner 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, dancing 7:30 pm to 10 pm. Dinner by Kelly’s BBQ, music by Hot Texas Swing Band, plus a silent auction. Fischer Hall at 701 Fischer Store Road. wimwic.org.
NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 18
Wimberley Players present “Miracle on 34th Street”
Based on the hit-movie of the same name. Get tickets online at WimberleyPlayers.org.
NOVEMBER 22
Blow Off Black Friday!
Enjoy a visit to Wimberley Glassworks. Watch us create 33rd annual blown glass ornament design, holiday specials and signature cocktails out on the patio under the oaks. wimberleyglassart.com
NOVEMBER 28
Community Thanksgiving
If you are interested in giving back to the community this Thanksgiving, consider volunteering. For information, call or text Dave Lewis at 512- 923-5380. 11 am to 2 pm at Wimberley Community Center. wimberleyparksandrec.com.
NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 26
26th Annual Holiday Trail of Lights
Eight acres of lighted exhibits at the EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens, with live entertainment most nights and a yule log where guests can enjoy complimentary marshmallows and hot chocolate. EmilyAnn.org.
DECEMBER 7
Christmas Market at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Holiday gift shopping, entertainment, kids’ arts and crafts, raffles, food and drink, and a special surprise from the North Pole! 2 pm to 8 pm. 14711 Ranch Road 12.
DECEMBER 21
Breakfast with Santa Sponsored by Wimberley Community Civic Club at Texan Academy, 400 Green Acres Drive. 8:30 am to 11:30 am. Find out more at wimberleyccc.org/breakfast-with-santa.
DECEMBER 28-29
Slightly iRRegulars Clearance
Find your perfect imperfection at Wimberley Glassworks! Up to 75% off slightly irregular blown glass vases, platters, sculpture and lighting. Doors open at 10 am. wimberleyglassart.com
JANUARY 1
Polar Bear Plunge and 5K
5K route begins in Blue Hole, winds through downtown, ends with plunge into ice-cold waters of Cypress Creek. Plus music, vendors, games and prizes, fire pit, more. wimberleyparksandrec.com
JANUARY 25, 2025
Comedy & Magic Show with Cody Fisher
Indulge in dinner, laughter, and fundraising fun. Details at wimberleyccc.org/magic-dinner-theatre.
FEBRUARY 8, 2025
Wimberley’s Got Soul Concert
Featuring 5 O’Clock Somewhere, Hill Country Honeys and Austin Horns. 6 pm to 10 pm. wimberleyccc.org.
FEBRUARY 22, 2025
Hot Rod Showdown at 7A Ranch
Enjoy this awesome pre-1948 traditional Hot Rod Show. Get details at thehotrodshowdown.com.
Megan Linville
Travis Howard
Clint Daniels
Aaron Barker
Brett James
Gable Bradley
Emma Zinck
TASTING ROOM HOURS
THURS-SAT 11:30 AM - 8:00 PM SUNDAY 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM HAPPY HOUR THU/FRI 3:00 - 7:00 PM
BRUNCH SAT/SUN UNTIL 3:00 PM 5330 BELL SPRINGS ROAD
