Say "I Do" At An Enchanting Italian Winery Estate Only A Horse Carriage Ride Away From Austin
Love is in the air. Just this year, seven of my friends happily announced their wedding engagements. I am tickled pink and that was more than enough reason to inspire me to write this story in the first place. Hidden one hour north of Austin is a multimillion-dollar winery estate with Italian flair in a beautiful and enchanting Hill Country setting. Meet the Vineyard at Florence, the perfect romantic getaway to leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind. The beautiful natural setting is a perfect choice for the intimate wedding of your dreams. The estate is structured with twenty boutique rooms. The 5,000-square-foot Vineyard Villa is the ultimate accommodation including: five king bedrooms, four full bathrooms, a media room, open-plan living room, breakfast nook, gourmet kitchen, and a formal dining room.
The award-winning wines are produced onsite and not mass distributed to retail outlets. Hand-picked grapes are paddled manually to preserve the integrity of the flavors. In addition to wine tastings, I encourage visitors to take the private tours of the distillery, open vineyard, and French oak barrel preservation room. Walk through the sun-lit hallway to observe the walls decorated with sculptures and paintings from local artists. A tunnel entry leads guests to a bistro with breathtaking views of the vineyards. Dine on a delectable menu of dishes prepared using authentic methods of traditional and ancient cooking from Florence, Italy. Enjoy other dishes with a Texas twist such as the Texas Hold 'em panini. What really keeps me coming back are two things: the spinach & artichoke dip and the fresh sangria. This dynamic duo is the perfect pairing of sweet meets salty with a kick of spicy.
The Vineyard at Florence has been my secret hideaway to sip some wine, a zen spot for writing inspiration, and a heavenly piece of "me time" to dream about my sweet version of a happily ever after. Salute!