While staying in Hockley, experience some of the great Houston wineries that the city and surrounding area has to offer. Venture out from your Hockley Inn and do not miss the opportunity to see Vintners Own, French Country Winery and the La Fuente Winery.
Vintners Own
3482 W. 12th Street
Houston, TX 77008
(713) 880-3794
http://vintnersown.com/
This winery has a beautiful grounds that offers you a chance to truly explore all that wineries have to offer. When you are done exploring, sign up to create your own wine masterpiece. Master Vintner, Squire Fridell, will guide you through the process on how to become a Vintner yourself by taking you through all the steps from crushing to corking. You will gain a true appreciation for the art by learning all the work and love that goes into each barrel. When you are finished the process, perhaps you will get a chance to sample Squire's own GlenLyon wine, which is not sold on property as the few bottles that are produced each year are pre-sold to top restaurants and the remainder will remain in Squire's private collection for personal consumption.
French Country Winery
2433 Bartlett Street
Houston, Texas 77098
(713) 993-9500
http://www.frenchcountrywines.com/
This small boutique winery specializes in bringing the taste of old world France to your doorstep. Using some of the finest grapes from France, they hand craft small batches of wine that otherwise would not be sold within the United States. This gives them an old-world France feel, but for an affordable price as the owners believe in good wine for affordable prices and that wine should not be only for the affluent. While there pick up a significant amount of the favorite wine that you sample, as it is a very affordable way to add fantastic French style wine to your collection. This will certainly become a regular staple of your wine diet. For those who enjoy wine, but their level of appreciation does not afford a large budget, then this is one of Houston's wineries not to be missed. Good wine, for good prices.
La Fuente Winery
10606 Hempstead Rd
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 956-6219
http://www.lafuentewinery.com/
Of all the Houston wineries, this is one of the city's best with its strong collection of different wines. Located only a short drive from the city center, and close to many Hockley Bed and Breakfast spots, you can easily find this jewel. La Fuente's claim to fame is their use of what they call the "lost grape," the Carmenere. The Carmenere is a grape regularly used in Chile that was exported out of France just before a great grape devastation. Similar to the Merlot grapes, this grape gives its wine full bodies, as the Chileans are known for. Due to the different growing season and earths in Texas this is a different variation on what has given Chile their wine claim to fame. While in the Houston area do not miss learning more about this "lost grape" from one of their master Vintners, who will further explain why this grape is so central to their collection. Take home a case and impress your friends with the knowledge that you have gained there.