Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country AVA
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1988 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | Texas, Texas Hill Country AVA |
| Other regions in Texas, Texas Hill Country AVA | Bell Mountain AVA |
| Growing season | 219 days |
| Climate region | Region II |
| Heat units | 2873.3 GDD |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 27.44 in (697 mm) |
| Soil conditions | sandy loam topsoil (mostly quartz) over nutrient rich reddish clay |
| Total area | 70,400 acres (110 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 5,000+ acres (2,000+ ha) |
| No. of vineyards | 25+ |
| Grapes produced | Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Cinsault, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Montepulciano, Petit Sirah, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Tannat, Tempranillo, Viognier |
| No. of wineries | 75+ |
Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in central Texas surrounding the town of Fredericksburg. The 70,400-acre (110 sq mi) area was established as the nation's 125th and Texas' third AVA on December 22, 1988, by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Mr. Karl W. Koch of the Pedernales Vineyard, on behalf of local vintners, proposing a viticultural area in Gillespie County, Texas, to be known as "Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill County."
The viticultural area lies entirely in Gillespie County and equidistant approximately 80 miles (130 km) west of Austin and northwest from San Antonio. At the outset, there were approximately eight vineyards cultivating 50 acres (20 ha) of wine grapes. Additionally, there were many commercial peach growers in the area with experimental vineyards.
The name "Fredericksburg" can be found on several U.S.G.S. maps of the
area surrounding the city of Fredericksburg. The area around Fredericksburg is described in various newspaper and magazine articles, as well as brochures published by the State of Texas, as the "Texas Hill Country." Therefore, "Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country" was approved as the name for this viticultural area. The plant hardiness zone is 8b.