A toast to wine bars

2 new wine bars pour into San Antonio 10 days apart

Loblolly Cellars, Vino Grotta, San Antonio, wine bar, winery

Loblolly Cellars, a Columbus, Texas-based winery, opened a tasting room in north San Antonio in late December.

Loblolly Cellars/Facebook

Wine fans in San Antonio have two new urban wineries in town where they can enjoy a glass or two of vino and more.

First, the owners of Loblolly Cellars hosted a December 21 grand opening party to celebrate their new tasting room at 11115 Wurzbach Rd., Ste. 600, in the north central side of town.

Loblolly Cellars is based in the Columbus area, halfway between San Antonio and Houston. The owners have a vineyard on their family ranch filled with loblolly pine trees, which inspired the name of the winery.

The crew at Loblolly Cellars have spent the past year and a half promoting the fledgling winery, offering products at pop-up events in the Columbus area and around the Hill Country. The owners often use a mobile taproom to serve up a glass of Loblolly wine or sangria at such events.

Prior to opening the San Antonio tasting room, Loblolly has also been present for local events, such as pop-ups at the Vance Jackson Road tasting room parking lot. They also have appeared at the St. Matthew’s Catholic Church fall festival, which is held just down the street from the permanent tasting room site.

The family- and pet-friendly taproom offers indoor and outdoor seating where patrons can choose from a variety of Loblolly wines, such as Riesling, Malbec, Mourvèdre, Muscat Canelli, Tempranillo, Lenoir, Blanc du Bois, Camminare Noir, and an Italian-style red blend, a mix of Sangiovese and Aglianico grapes.

Loblolly Cellars also features house sangria and charcuterie. The tasting room is open from 5-10 pm on Thursdays, 1-10 pm on Fridays, 11 am to 10 pm Saturdays, and 11 am to 7 pm Sundays.

The second new winery soft opened December 30 at 19338 Babcock Rd., Ste. 209, in far northwest San Antonio. Owner Kim Stevens describes Vino Grotta, or “wine cave," as more than a wine bar, but rather an experience that features 100-plus wines from across the nation and world. The interior has a look and feel that reflect the rustic charm of underground cellars, Stevens says.

According to Stevens, guests can complement their wine with selections from a gourmet food menu that boasts small plates, such as zucchini fries, artichoke fritters, and red pepper gouda soup. The menu also contains sandwiches and flatbreads. Additionally, patrons may choose from a small assortment of craft beers and non-alcoholic wines.

Vino Grotta hosts occasional activities, such as live music performances, wine tastings and wine education programs. The space can also be reserved for various group events, such as private parties and corporate functions. A grand opening celebration is planned for February 1. The bar is open Wednesdays through Fridays from 3-10 pm, Saturdays from noon to 11 pm, and Sundays from noon to 8.

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Drive to Deals

Restaurant Weeks discounts extend to Fredericksburg for first time

Cabernet Grill/Instagram

Cabernet Grill is one of the Fredericksburg restaurants that will be participating.

A tradition that has taken hold in San Antonio and Austin has moved into one of the most popular destinations in the Hill Country. Restaurant Weeks, an initiative restaurants can join to offer deals, is coming to Fredericksburg for the first time in 2025.

Fredericksburg locals and travelers might as well think of this as a new initiative, but it's technically an expansion of San Antonio Restaurant Weeks, which are run by the nonprofit Culinaria. The concept is nearly universal in big cities; it exists in Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City, where it started in 1992, plus many others.

San Antonio's Restaurant Weeks are biannual — in the winter and summer — so Fredericksburg will be included in both. The winter 2025 season runs from January 18 to February 1. The release does not share when the second installment for 2025 will be, but last year San Antonio's summer weeks were in August.

Culinaria started its Restaurant Weeks in 2010, but this is the first time it reaches into Fredericksburg. Thanks to all the participants, the initiative feels big to people choosing where to dine, but the concept is very simple. Restaurants create standardized three-course menus and set the prices very accessibly, encouraging diners to head out and try restaurants or dishes they haven't gotten around to yet.

Beyond that, there's no obligation to create a certain menu item or otherwise alter the service. It's just a discount that lots of restaurants offer at once. There is some flexibility in pricing, but all brunches will be $25; lunch will be $20 or $30; and dinner will be $35, $45, or $55. Additionally, some restaurants will offer to-go items, extra courses, or beverage pairings, so check the website carefully while deciding where to go.

A release only names two Fredericksburg restaurants participating so far: Ocotillo Wine Bar, an earthy, small space that serves "Texas tapas," grilled cheese, and desserts alongside its many wines; and Cabernet Grill, a rustic restaurant with a steakhouse-like menu in a cool stone house that's part of the Cotton Gin Village.

“Culinaria Restaurant Weeks is a longstanding tradition that pays homage to our city’s culinary talent,” Culinaria president and CEO Suzanne Taranto-Etheredge in the release. “Culinaria Restaurant Weeks provides the chance to sample the cuisine of some of the Alamo city’s top eateries, bistros and local favorites while enjoying specially curated tasting menus and pairings at an amazing price.”

Although reservations are not required, they're a good idea. This popular event draws crowds and if you've found a great deal, someone else probably has, too!

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