BECKER VINEYARDS HISTORY

Located in the Texas Hill Country between Fredericksburg and Stonewall, Becker Vineyards was established in 1992 by Richard and Bunny Becker.

The vineyard was planted on a site of native Mustang grapes much prized for winemaking by German neighbors and their ancestors. Also planted on site is a three acre lavender field reminiscent of the wine country of Provence, France.

The 46 acres of French Vinifera vines generate 8 different available
varietals, including Syrah, Petite Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec,
Petite Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

The vines are planted in a mixture of deep sand and Precambrian granitic soils at 1,500 feet above sea level. The vines are watered with water welled from limestone formations 300 feet beneath the surface. A drip irrigation system is employed throughout the vineyard.

Becker Vineyard’s first harvest was in 1995. Most vintages are aged in new French oak, others in new American oak, and stored in the largest underground wine cellar in Texas.

The 10,040 square-foot winery is located in a 19th-century German stone barn reproduction and surrounded by grazing quarter horses, peach orchards and fields of native wildflowers and lavender. Wine storage capacity is 64,000 gallons and fermenting capacity is 35,000 gallons.

The wine labels feature the artwork of the late Tony Bell, a dear friend of Dr. Becker. The two grew up together in Abilene, TX, and both attended the University of Texas. The "Tree" label is a watercolor painting of a tree from Bell's backyard in Austin, TX. The "Iconoclast" label is a self-portrait of the artist painted on a brown paper sack; and the "Tavern" label is a woodblock print the artist made of The Friendly Tavern in Austin, TX.

The winery's Tasting Room, which opened June 1996, includes a large working stone fireplace and an antique bar originally from the Green Tree Saloon, established in San Antonio during the 19th Century. The bar and backdrop were produced at the August Kerns Supply Company in St. Louis, Missouri in the mid-1800s. The bar is made of long leaf red pine and ceiling tin panels. The backdrop features are Moravian design. The Tasting Room is decorated with arts and crafts by local artisans and with antique pie safes and armoires found in the Fredericksburg area.

Adjacent to the winery is a log cabin built circa 1890. Along with the milk house, corral and hand-dug water well, the cabin recreates the original homestead. The log cabin’s renovation was completed in August 1997 and named The Homestead Bed and Breakfast. A cabin stay is $125 per night, which includes a bottle of wine and baked goods for breakfast.

In February 1997, the Beckers purchased the old Bluebonnet Hills Vineyards in Ballinger, Texas. This 29 acre vineyard produces 8 different varieties of grapes including Chenin Blanc, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Scheurebe.

In 1998 the Beckers planted three acres of lavender behind the winery. The varieties planted include lavandula x intermedia provence, lavandula x intermedia grosso and lavandula angustifolia. Becker Vineyards makes potpourris, sachets, soaps and oils from the lavender. These products are for sale in the Tasting Room and Gift Shop.

In the spring of 2001, Becker Vineyards added 10 acres to their front vineyards. (The front vineyard now has 21 acres of grapevines, while the older vineyard in the back has 25 acres of grapevines. Total acres of estate grapevines are 46 acres.)

The new reception hall -- The Lavender Haus – was completed in October 2003. Located near the winery and bed & breakfast, The Lavender Haus is a replica of a barn at the LBJ Settlement (maintained by the LBJ National Park Service) in Johnson City, TX. The reception hall is used for wine dinners, festivals, luncheons, birthday parties, weddings, and more.

Becker Vineyards is open for tasting, tours, wine gift purchases, and picnics. We invite you to join us on the porch during spring and summer or by the hearth of an open fire during the winter in the tasting room. We also host many events throughout the year that we encourage you to attend.