Quick Trip to Carter Creek

March 31, 2023

I ran down to the Texas hill country on Sunday for a quick business trip earlier this week and I just had to tell you about Carter Creek Winery & Resort. While I didn’t have enough time to experience everything (such as the spa and the pool), I wanted to let everyone know what delightful accommodations this resort has. Keep it in mind when planning your spring Fredericksburg trips!

This resort is on the famous Texas Hwy 290 wine trail between Johnson City and Fredericksburg. There are over fifty vineyards within a twenty minute drive. Carter Creek has a bunch of individual villas that are HUGE and at only $218 a night (with my AAA discount), the square footage is a steal. Plus the resort is dog friendly! I can’t even wait to go back with my dog, Henry. What’s not to love?! It’s a perfect place to take a dog because there’s ample grass in front of each villa just steps away from your bedroom. So convenient!

My one-bedroom villa had a cute little porch and living room with a flat screen TV and a dining table. The bedroom also had a flat screen TV and a huge, comfy king sized bed with soft sheets and fluffy pillows. The room was nice and chilly when I arrived – so important for our hot climate – and the decor was Texan without being kitschy. The resort is quite peaceful. I slept so well!

The en suite bathroom had two sinks, lots of counter space, a separate toilet, and a large, gorgeous shower with great water pressure.

After unpacking, I rushed out the door to spend that day at Kuhlman Cellars’ Blessing of the Vines event. It was about a five minute drive to the vineyard. You can read about the event here and the wine & food tasting here.

After my day at the winery, I freshened up in my room before heading over to Carter Creek’s restaurant, Old 290 Brewery. The setting is very Texan and very cute: a huge open lawn with corn hole and twinkling lights strung across the courtyard. Most people chose to eat on the covered patio, myself included, and enjoy the sunset. I was delighted to see how many dogs were laying at their owners’ feet at dinner!

Much to my server’s absolute horror, I ordered three courses – hey, I do this for you guys! I started with the loaded potato skins because they were calling to me. I got the giggles when the plate arrived. No wonder he was horrified. They brought me 2.5 whole baked potatoes! The skins are crispy and delicious and the potatoes are stuffed with beer chili and bacon. Needless to say, this starter would feed a bunch of people!

For dinner I got the Hill Country Garden Salad with smoked chicken and I must absolutely insist that you get it when you go. With unbelievably juicy peaches, Texas pecans, feta cheese, and a spring mix, this is the most Rose Table salad! Paired with the perfectly smoked chicken, this is just absolutely to die for.

For dessert, I ordered the smoked banana pudding, which sounded amazing. Unfortunately they brought me the bread pudding and I didn’t want to send it back. I’m not a big bread pudding person and don’t normally order it but this was very good and very bourbon-y. I would definitely get it again! Even if you don’t stay at Carter Creek, the restaurant is definitely worth a visit.

Last but certainly not least, Carter Creek is beautifully landscaped in a very low-maintenance kind of way. There are a lot of native plants that were absolutely thriving during my trip to March and just look at the Brewery parking lot! I nearly fell over when I pulled up to this wall of bluebonnets. It was even more spectacular by the time I left dinner.

I have to thank my friends at CultureMap Dallas for their wonderful article about Carter Creek. I can’t believe it’s been open for years now and I haven’t heard of it! I will be back. I can’t even wait to try the spa!

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