Imagine a day when you can relinquish the stress of coordinating a schedule, your glass never goes empty, and you’re surrounded by the women you love; a girls' trip where you leave the planning to the pros, and each experience is customized just for you and your besties. Sound too good to be true? Well, it is true with Boerne Wine Tours.
To get a taste of everything they offer, we recruited local luxury real estate agent Tamara Strait to round up her gal pals for a day-cation in fabulous Fredericksburg. Buckle up and come along as the clique partied at some of Hill Country's most deluxe destinations.
First stop? Brooke’s Bubble Bar, where manager Sandra greeted us at the front door and welcomed us into a paradise of pink. Everyone’s faces lit up with a mix of amazement and wonder. From the bar to the bathroom, the whole venue was a tasteful collage of quintessential girlhood. In 2020, Brooke Rogan returned to her hometown and found a “pinkified” vehicle to cruise around in style. With her glamorous entrepreneurial cap on, Rogan launched a wine tour business that took the town by storm. The pink fleet grew, so Rogan built a headquarters and hangout made by a woman for women. On this day, laughter echoed from the Limo Lounge, where the ladies talked with mimosas in hand—until grumbling stomachs meant it was time to move on.
Our group was still buzzing with excitement (and champagne) as we entered Burger Burger, the bustling bistro on Main St., bursting with the life of a 50’s diner. Fun signs adorned the walls; one that gave us a good laugh read, “May The Fries Be With You.” And indeed they were. Our table was filled with a variety of dishes in record time. The smash burger got rave reviews, but the real highlight was the salted caramel boozy shake. We were cordial as we shared, but things (jokingly) got tense as we fought over the last sip. A burger joint might not be the first lunch spot that comes to mind when going out with the ladies, but it was exactly what we needed to cushion our stomachs for the delights that were still to come.
A short drive east took us to Blumenthal Farms, which wowed us instantly. In another era, this was a farming town founded in the 1870s, complete with a saloon, dance hall, a few homes, and a cotton gin. A tornado and the decades reduced the hamlet to history until Chelsea Crossland came looking for the perfect place for an outdoor concert venue. Inspired by the past and the land's possibilities, Crossland officially opened Blumenthal Farms in 2023. Now, the renovated buildings and property include a tasting room, cigar bar, pickleball court, amphitheater, putting green, and a general store—all situated just a few yards up the shore of the Pedernales River. The venue’s rich history is on display in the original steam engine that sits outside the floor-to-ceiling windows encompassing the main room. The decorations ooze luxury but are comfy enough to make you feel at home. In the cigar bar, Lele lights up the room with her old-fashioned presentation. We were mesmerized, and a few of us indulged in a cherry cigar that brought sweetness into the air. Blumenthal Farms was a truly remarkable experience we won’t forget.
The last stop was Slate Theory Winery, an all-encompassing winery built by Randy Jones rooted in psychology and human connection. With a name inspired by John Locke’s philosophy, our group was eager to learn how every step of the wine-making and tasting experience takes place on the vast estate—growing the grapes, developing the flavors, producing the bottles, and tasting the final product. We enjoyed a selection of bottles like the “Antisocial,” a red blend, and the Sangiovese Rosé was so delightful that we had to bring a bottle home. But Slate Theory’s most impressive feature? The cellar. Spanning 9,000 square feet, the industrial glam space houses hundreds of barrels of wine and ten beautifully decorated cubbies where guests can indulge in privacy and comfort.
This was a destination we were not inclined to leave. The end of our trip was approaching, but the call of our quaint short-term rental made piling into the van for one last drive easier to handle. The Hackberry Haus by Gästehaus Schmidt was beautiful and charming—a perfect mix of Hill Country chic and modern elegance. The private guesthouse was cozy for all who stayed, and the hot tub was exactly what we needed after our fabulous day. Gästehaus Schmidt offers vacation rentals all over town and even in the countryside for an authentic getaway experience.
What an epic trip! You could have one too with Boerne Wine Tours. The entire experience was fun and straightforward, and each destination offered stellar service and precious memories. So round up your best friends and take your next girls’ trip to fabulous heights!
SIDEBAR 1:
BEST. NOTES. EVER.
Tamara Strait is the genius behind Strait Luxury, an upscale realty firm. The travelers include Pam Lane, Paige Reynolds, Cris Yarbrough, Emily Bailey, and Elizabeth Cliburn. Tamara’s friends from Boerne Lifestyle Magazine are Tara Bové, Sophie Winterle, and Jessi Edison.
Boerne Wine Tours offers chauffeur service for any occasion with complimentary itinerary planning. The business is woman-owned by Kristie Kneisel, who also joined us as our driver.
Slate Theory Winery works to raise awareness about mental health and remove the negative stigma around it. They like to draw attention subtly, such as by incorporating ink blots on their labels and using psychological terms as names for some of their red wines.
SIDEBAR 2:
THANK YOU!
We are so grateful for the generosity of the people and companies who made this incredible trip possible. Show them some love and make your next trip the best!
Boerne Wine Tours boernewinetours.com | bossbabes@boernewinetours.com
Brooke’s Bubble Bar brookesbubblebar.com | (830) 998-7007 | 416 E. Main St., Fredericksburg
Burger Burger burgerburgerfbg.com | (830) 997-5226 | 209 E. Main St., Fredericksburg
Blumenthal Farms blumenthalfarmstx.com | (830) 205-9930 | 9396 E. US-290, Fredericksburg
Slate Theory Winery slatetheory.com | (830) 998-8306 | 10915 E. US-290, Fredericksburg
Gästehaus Schmidt fbglodging.com | (830) 997-5612 | 231 W. Main St., Fredericksburg
