I had big ideas for my 2020 travel plans. I had been salivating at the thought of shopping in Milan, wine tasting in Florence, and sailing off the Amalfi Coast. I had planned to turn into “Carbi B” devouring fresh pasta from city to city. I had captions laced with Jay-Z references and lyrics that I was stockpiling for what I had dreamed of as the perfect 11 day tour in Europe. (as a PSA that is my that is my favorite rapper.)

Like many people, COVID came through announced like Taylor Swift on a wrecking ball putting a temporary pause on a lot of things I thought I would be doing. I haven’t been out of the state of Texas since February. This eight-month span of not seeing a different continent let alone another city has been great for my bank account but for the explorer, in me chaos and anxiety have run rampant. Even as an introvert that loves to stay home I love to experience new places and things even more. I work hard to give myself the things I was once denied.

As I slowly creep back into society creating a new life for myself in this COVID world, I’ve been maintaining as much sanity as I can by finding safely distanced activities such as picnics, skating, and occasional trips to the arboretum. There was an activity that had been lingering on my bucket list and it seemed like the opportune time to do it. Located right in our own backyard of Texas that a large number of people outside of the Lone Star State have not heard of…Fredericksburg.

A four-hour playlist of Meg the Stallion, City Girls, Drake, and Big Lato south of Dallas, Fredericksburg is nestled into panoramic hills that resemble a Bob Ross painting. By the name you may guess that it has German Nodes being that it was named after the King of Prussia in 1826 by immigrants. What was news to me is that it also boasts over 60 wineries and a small selection of craft breweries.

If anything, COVID taught me that there was no better time than the present. Luckily four of my friends available and willing to go. Me being Me somewhat annoying but also awesome organizer, we hit the roadtrip with a theme that I was more than perfect - P-Valley.

These girls wine hard but my girls wine harder

On the Way to Fredericksburg

Silos Bakery - If you are going down to Hill Country, the famous Magnolia Compound is the perfect morning stop for cinnamon rolls, muffins and cookies for later. They have to adjoining home decor stores as well as a coffee shop down the block.

The Wineries

With the number of wineries in the cities you have a plethora to choose from but I highly recommend (read: you need to) make reservations weeks ahead of time. Due to COVID most of them require reservations for tasting and entry in advance. If there are ones you are absolutely know you want to go to CALL CALL CALL. There is limited entrance due to social distancing requirements.

You can book a shuttle pass on 290Wine to drop you off from winery to winery. One comes every 10 to 15 minutes and will also take wine packages back to the pick up spot for you to keep your hands free from packages and full of wine glasses.

Signor Vineyards: This was our first stop on Friday when arriving to Fredericksburg. The grounds are gorgeous with sprawling rows of grapes and outdoor seating. Grab food in Joanna’s market or a charcuterie tray out in the actual vineyard. The tasting is $25 when available or $30-$45 per bottle

Grapecreek Vineyards: The line for the vineyard was about 40 minutes total but was well worth the wait. you are escorted inside to one of two tasting rooms or if you are lucky like us, you are able to get do yours outside with the vineyard in he background. The tasting comes with six choices of white, red, or sparkling wines. The Tasting is $25 per person and comes with a keepsake glass

4.0 Cellars- Three different wineries came together to create 4.0 Cellars which is a mix of live music venue and winery. Grab winery by the glass or try out their wine flights with choices of private labeled wines. You can also choose to do a tasting with cheese to elevate your experience. The wine flight is $20 per person.

Wildseed Farms- In addition to carrying varying wines from local businesses around Fredericksburg, the farm sits on over 200 acres of wildseed making it largest in the nation. You can walk around the farm and enjoy the butterfly garden, different floral arrangements and live plant displays or like me, choose to visit the baby goats. Tasting is $8 for three wines.

Other Wineries to consider: Heath Sparkling Wine (reservation required), Messina Hof, Baron’s Creek (reservation required), Fat Ass Ranch, Safari Wines, and Becker (reservation required)

The Food

In full transparency the food wasn’t bad but I also didn’t leave completely wowed, or ever expected to be. This is definitely one of those towns where if you have salt, pepper, and hot sauce in your bag I would completely understand. The majority of places close by 10 pm so plan for food especially late night snacks in advance.

Crossroads Grill- Neighborhood steakhouse that seemed like the “it” dinner spot off of Main street. We arrived around 6 pm and were able to easily get a table out on the patio. By the time we left the line was wrapped around the building. After tip, a steak, cocktail and an app was $80 which is usually right on par with what I spend for a restaurant of its likeness in Dallas. The best comparison I can give it from a decor and food standpoint is Bob’s Steak & Chophouse.

Sunset Grill - The hour wait for breakfast Saturday morning gave us plenty of time to try a variety of the rather potent breakfast mimosas and cocktails. The food was inexpensive for the portions and straight to the point. Their breakfast potatoes were the true star and deserve their own placement on the Hollywood walk of fame. Someone’s grandma with the double elbow was surely in the kitchen doing God’s work on those.

Vaudeville - I wanted to like this restaurant more than I did for the price I paid. Located in a dimly lit basement, I loved the atmosphere and the table side Sommelier. I can’t put my finger on what it was about the food because to be honest it wasn’t memorable. I had the braised short rib which was tender but as a serious foodie who eats everything from street food to well known restaurants, this just did nothing for me.

Tacos on Main - Not shocking that I was still hungry after dinner and found a hole in the wall taco spot a 3 minute walk from vaudeville. For $20, we got a box of 14 different tacos, salsas, cilantro and fresh cut onions to take back to the Air BnB. I rate the tacos 7/10 but due to hunger that’s higher than what I would rate Vaudeville’s food.

Java Ranch Espresso Bar - If you know anything about me other than Black being my favorite color and that I randomly rap Jay Z lyrics out loud, you know that I truly love coffee and make it a point to patron small independent shops when I can. I saw the reviews of Java Ranch being one of the top coffee shops in the town but with not many options being around I’m not sure how difficult the battle was. I can tell you with all confidence that the coffee was better than a number of places I’ve had around the US and I would gladly give them my money for that Iced Honey Latte with Oat Milk any day of the week.

The Lodging

There are a number of lodges and motels around the area but this is one trip I would suggest book a house. Main Street is a lively strip right in the center of the town that has tasting rooms, restaurants, and bars. You easily can get a house for a couple or a few people within walking distance and never move your car.

the packing list

As you can imagine Fredericksburg is a casual city. With traffic from eclectic Austin and relaxed San Antonio, we saw everything from simple jeans and tops to casual dresses. Ensure to pack comfortable shoes for walking the winery grounds and standing for periods of time. Rule 101 from the Bougie Auntie life, we always dress to impress no matter the time, place or occasion, not for others, but for ourselves.

I made it a point to wear two Black designers this weekend. My red two piece coordinating wide leg pant and collared top was from UK based The Kemist while my green print maxi dress was purchased earlier this year from Nigerian-based company A.Au

The city itself

A number of people watched my IG story where I took a poll to see if people could guess how many people had stopped and starred at us from standing outside of sunset grill waiting for our table. In our first 40 minutes 37 different people gazed in awe, confusion, or general curiosity. By the end of the day we were approaching 100. At dinner the night before, a group of women turned their chairs (read that again. not their bodies but whole chairs) around when we walked by. A girl loudly told one of her friends that we were famous. We stopped at a stop sign and a group of passengers looked at us without a single blink. I asked a sommelier at one of vineyards who happened to be from Dallas if this was a normal occurrence with Black people who visited. He was honest to tell us that most people around don’t see groups of Black women especially ones dressed so stylish snaps and fingers

It was also the harsh reality looking at the T__p flags plastered on houses, waving proudly from trucks, and on the highways of what were most likely sundown towns that our existence to some people is flabbergasting. It was never my expectation for it to be a culturally diverse city full of life and people. We are very much in the heart of Texas. There was never a moment where didn’t feel safe or unwelcomed but the unwavering gazes and quick looks reminded us of where we were and how deep certain indoctrinations run.

As much as it’s important to talk about the where and what it wouldn’t be honest to not share the total experience, especially for Black women looking to travel.

This small town with its’ brick walkways and stacked buildings can be your perfect quaint getaway. You can transform into Napa if you want it to. Maybe your own countryside escape. Whatever it is, get prepared for the people to stop and stare so get your ‘fits off sis and smile one time for them.

Restaurants, Wineries and More in Fredericksburg Mapped out for you