Image: KarryAnne Belanger
Deep in the heart of Texas Hill Country, the small city of Mason is quietly gaining popularity among wine enthusiasts. Known as the “Gem of the Hill Country,” Mason traces its origins to the mid-1840s, when German colonists from Fredericksburg and New Braunfels migrated to the area in search of larger plots of land. In 1851, the US War Department founded Fort Mason to protect these early settlers. Subsequently, Mason County was officially established on January 22, 1858.
After the military left the fort in the 1870s, the local economy shifted to a thriving center for ranching and agriculture, and, like many other places in Texas, cattle raising has served as the primary economic driver and most profitable enterprise in Mason since the area was first settled.
The city preserves much of its historic charm. Just 45 minutes from Fredericksburg, Mason boasts a 19th-century courthouse square at its center, considered one of the most beautiful squares in Texas. More than that, though, it’s home to multiple downtown tasting rooms within walking distance—making it a great alternative for wine lovers who want to skip the crowds and settle into a small-town atmosphere.
Drink
Set on 22 acres just outside Mason, this award-winning small-lot producer specializes in Mediterranean varieties almost exclusively grown in Mason County, including its 2019 Barbera, which earned Top Texas Wine at the annual Houston Rodeo Uncorked! wine competition. The tasting room boasts a beautiful outdoor patio with vineyard views and live music sessions.
Image: KarryAnne Belanger
Aiming to showcase Texas’s distinctive terroir, Fly Gap focuses on Mason County’s soils and collaborates with leading growers from various Texas American Viticultural Areas to highlight the region’s wine diversity. Just off the downtown square, the tasting room shares its gathering space with Porchlight Distillery, the Twisted Fork Restaurant, and the Reel Deal Seafood Shop, and offers a back patio that makes it easy to linger.
This veteran-owned vineyard and winery produces wine from grapes grown exclusively on its estate and hand-harvested in Mason County. A hilly microclimate with warm days and cool nights produces balanced, exceptional fruit, mostly from French and Portuguese varietals. Wine lovers can reap the benefits at the Parr Cellars Tasting Room, located on the eastern side of Mason Square.
Do
Image: KarryAnne Belanger
Spanning one block wide and two blocks long, Mason’s beloved square boasts charming architecture from the late 1800s to early 1920s. Spend the day exploring local restaurants, wine rooms, boutiques, and antique shops, or time your visit for events like the Annual Fall Arts & Wine Fest and Mason County’s Roundup and Rodeo Parade.
Built in 1928 on the courthouse square, West Texas’ longest-operating theater shows first-run movies four nights a week and features an exciting lineup of musical performances and special events. In 1957, it hosted the premiere of Disney’s “Old Yeller,” adapted from the book by Mason’s own Fred Gipson.
Learn more about Gipson’s life by stopping outside the Mason County M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library. There, you’ll find the Old Yeller statue, a tribute to Gipson, who was born and raised on a farm near Mason, and a permanent exhibit inside the library.
Image: KarryAnne Belanger
Ten minutes south of downtown, this ice house serves smashburgers and cold drinks, with plenty of room for the kids to roam. Decompress with a drink and live music while soaking in views of the Llano River.
Llano River
A popular spot for outdoor recreation, this picturesque river is known for its smooth limestone bottom and clear waters—perfect for fishing, paddling, or floating.
Image: KarryAnne Belanger
Eat
A casual, family-friendly Italian restaurant located on the square, Joe’s is a place to indulge in authentic Italian cuisine. Find Sicilian pizza, complete with gluten-free options, or indulge in their unique creamy pasta-topped varieties, including its popular chicken alfredo pie. Joe’s is BYOB, so consider visiting a nearby winery to pick up a bottle to complement your meal.
This all-day restaurant dishes out classic Texas comfort food and homemade desserts—pies, cakes, and cheesecakes—with a side of entertainment. Visitors often claim the chicken-fried steak is the best they’ve ever tasted. Grab a spot at the bar in the back to watch your favorite team play, or visit on a Saturday evening, when live music is almost always on the roster.
Image: KarryAnne Belanger
Start your day with expertly crafted espresso drinks, seasonal specials, and freshly baked treats—all of which you can enjoy on its dog-friendly, shaded outdoor patio. Our favorites were the iced caramel macchiato, avocado toast, and cinnamon roll. Pressed for time? Hit the drive-thru.
A short walk from the courthouse, this popular family-owned Mexican restaurant occupies a former gas station, where diners can enjoy Mexican fare just off the square. Santos is probably best known for its freshly made gorditas, but its queso and tacos made with handmade tortillas are also highly acclaimed.
Stay
Pro Tip: Ubers and other transportation options are limited, so if you plan to hit the tasting rooms, stay within walking distance. Airbnbs are also available.
Just steps from Murphy Creek Cellars, this hotel boasts deep historical roots and features preserved architectural details such as original pressed-tin ceilings, stained glass transoms, and an icebox installed more than a century ago. Choose from its four uniquely styled rooms: the Ranch, the Shop, the Farmhouse, and the Library Room, the last with a private balcony overlooking the square.
Located across from the historic Mason County Courthouse, this family-owned boutique hotel offers excellent courthouse views and convenient parking at the entrance. It’s especially great for families, friends, or those traveling in groups. Two suites, which combine contemporary comfort with small-town charm, can be rented together to comfortably host up to 8 guests.
This historic boutique is housed in a building that has operated as a retail space since 1895. Even as a boutique hotel, it preserves its classic Victorian craftsmanship, including original oak flooring, pressed-tin ceilings, and custom-designed stained-glass transoms. Eight uniquely decorated rooms give way to a shared living and dining area, plus a kitchenette on each floor. Guests can enjoy a continental breakfast featuring homemade bread.
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