Bluebonnets, Wine & Backroads: A Texas 290 Road Trip with Susan

Bluebonnets, Wine & Backroads: A Texas 290 Road Trip with Susan

If you’ve been following Short Haul, you already know that Urs and I love nothing more than a spontaneous weekend getaway. We’re all about hopping in the car, pointing it toward a scenic highway, and letting the road write the story. But our March adventure had a special twist—my sister from another mother, Susan, was flying in from Seattle for a long-overdue Texas visit. Her one request? To see the famous Texas Bluebonnets in bloom.

Now, Bluebonnet season in Texas is something of a rite of passage. These vivid wildflowers begin carpeting the fields from mid-March to late April, and they’re not just a feast for the eyes—they’re a Texas tradition. Knowing this, and with 28 years of global travel memories between us, I wasn’t about to settle for any old flower-chasing detour. If we were going Bluebonnet hunting, we would do it right—with a scenic cruise down the Texas 290 Wine Trail.

Would Susan object to a little wine tasting being added to our itinerary? Reader, she would not. In fact, she may have been counting on it.

Our Route: Wildflowers and Wine on Highway 290

We set the GPS for Highway 290, which stretches between Johnson City and Fredericksburg and is known not only for spring wildflowers but also for some of the best wineries in the state. For more info on the blooms, check out www.bluebonnettrail.org—a great resource for timing and trail updates.

First Stop: Calais Winery, Hye TX

Our journey officially kicked off with a tasting at one of our all-time favorites: Calais Winery in Hye. Urs and I have visited before (see our past write-up here ), but this was Susan’s first experience—and what better way to ease into the Hill Country vibe than with a glass of thoughtfully made wine?

Calais is the passion project of winemaker Ben Calais, originally from Calais, France. He brings an almost reverent attention to detail to every bottle he creates. During the tasting, we learned more about his philosophy, one rooted in letting Texas terroir speak through old-world techniques. If you go (and you should), make sure to book a reservation ahead of time.

A New Addition: The French Connection

Just down the road from Calais is a gem we were excited to explore for the first time: The French Connection. Opened in late 2019, this winery is a collaboration between Ben and Victoria Calais and Sheri and Pat Pattillo. It’s essentially the next chapter in the Calais wine story—a dedicated space for their Rhône-style wines, all 100% Texas-grown and Texas-made.

If complex and elegant wines are not enough, consider booking one of the rustic and modern maisonnette for a sleep over with sweeping view’s of the valley.

Set against a backdrop of gently rolling hills, The French Connection has the charm of the French countryside with unmistakable Texas roots. The wines? Bold, elegant, and full of character—much like the people who make them.

Favorites from our tasting of Calais and French Connection

• 20190 TX RG Red Wine
• 2021 Chateauneuf De Hye

Susan was in heaven. Between the blooms, the wine, and the perfect March breeze, we all felt the stress of the world melt away. We’d come for the Bluebonnets, but we left with so much more—a fresh appreciation for Texas wine, and another beautiful memory to add to our ever-growing travel log.

Until the next hop,
– Short Haul Crew

By the way, did you know that Texas is the 5^th largest wine-producing state in the U.S.

Additional Stops on Our Texas Hill Country Adventure

After leaving The French Connection, we followed the late afternoon sun along Farm Road 1623 and passed through the charming town of Albert, TX. Along the way, we stumbled upon a classic Texas gem—Albert Dance Hall, a true honky-tonk! We didn’t have time to stop in this round, but it’s firmly on the list for a future visit.

Next, we made our way to Blanco, TX, a small town in rural Blanco County with a population of just 1,682. A stroll around the town square is a must in any Texas town—there’s always something unique to discover. Blanco did not disappoint. We browsed a few local artisan shops, sipped on the mandatory Southern sweet iced tea, and made a golden discovery: Herb’s Hat Shop. The prize here? The Kodiak Fur Felt hat. It being spring in Texas, I resisted the temptation (barely), but I’m already plotting a return visit in the fall to make it mine.

Continuing our evening journey, we stopped in Fischer, TX, for dinner at Gennaro’s Trattoria, a cozy spot with hearty Italian fare that hit the spot perfectly. From there, we headed to our lodging for the night: a peaceful, spacious cabin on Canyon Lake. I booked it through Vacasa, and they accepted a one-night stay—score! Gennaro’s Trattoria was the perfect retreat after a full and beautiful day on the road.

The next morning, we backtracked slightly to Fischer to check out Wildflour Bakery, which we’d spotted online. To our surprise, this wasn’t just a bakery—it was a bustling, full-service restaurant. Our Sunday breakfast was a true feast and gave us the warm, satisfied energy we needed for the drive home.

But wait—didn’t we say we’d stop at Deep Eddy Vodka Distillery? You bet we did! Located right off Highway 290, the Deep Eddy Tasting Room was our final stop. We sampled a few of their many delicious flavored vodkas before wrapping up our weekend road trip.

Disclosure: Each day, we took turns being the designated driver so everyone could enjoy the stops safely. Responsible sipping and safe driving are part of the adventure!