Last weekend’s Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival reminded me of my many years working with extraordinary chefs, sommeliers and hospitality professionals around the globe. Our own Texas Hill Country community is also a place where talent runs deep in those professions, and the festival was a true showcase for our local flair.

From Asia to Europe and across the United States, I learned that great food and wine experiences are not simply about what is served. They are about the people, their passion, and the pride they take in their craft. That is exactly what festival-goers experienced with all five senses last weekend. 

Whether you attended the festival or not, please take a moment to think about how truly blessed we are. Our little town has become a recognized food and wine destination, attracting visitors who want to experience the wines, cuisine, and hospitality that make Fredericksburg special.

Consider our local culinary talent. The teams at Cabernet Grill, Otto's German Bistro, Hill & Vine, Stout’s, Crossroads Saloon & Steakhouse, Dot’s Bakery, and Eaker Barbecue represent different approaches to food, yet share something important: a commitment to quality, creativity, and hospitality. These businesses are not simply feeding visitors. They are helping define the culinary reputation of our community.

The same can be said for our winemakers.

With more than 70 wineries in Gillespie County, our wine industry has become one of the defining characteristics of the Texas Hill Country. Wineries such as Becker Vineyards, Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling, William Chris Vineyards, Adega Vinho, Augusta Vin, Signor Vineyards, Elisa Christopher Wines, and Pedernales Cellars demonstrate the diversity and quality of wines being produced in the Texas Hill Country AVA.

Behind every bottle are vineyard workers, winemakers, tasting room employees, and business owners who have invested years developing their craft. Many of these are small, independently owned businesses taking significant financial risks to pursue their passion. And their success extends well beyond the vineyard. Our wineries and restaurants support local farmers, suppliers, transportation companies, retailers, lodging properties, and hundreds of employees throughout Gillespie County.

The festival provides an opportunity to bring this remarkable talent together and introduce it to a wider audience.

Of course, an event of this magnitude would not be possible without community partners who believe in what we are building. The Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce Events Foundation (510 c3) Board members are very thankful to our major sponsors: the City of Fredericksburg, Heath Family Brands, Create Healthy, Waldorf Astoria, Uncork Texas, Crossroads Saloon, Lee + Associates, and The Meuse. Their investment helps showcase our region while supporting the Hill Country Hospitality Worker Emergency Relief Fund and the Fredericksburg High School Culinary Program.

The culinary program is particularly meaningful to me because my own hospitality career began in a high school culinary classroom. Today, more than 300 Fredericksburg High School students are learning skills that could lead to careers in this remarkable industry.

Perhaps my favorite part of the festival is watching businesses that might otherwise compete to come together to celebrate one another. That spirit of collaboration is inspiring. The festival may have ended on Sunday, but these talented chefs, winemakers, and hospitality professionals are here throughout the year.

Let's support them, celebrate their accomplishments, and never take for granted the remarkable talent we have in our own backyard.

We are stronger when we work together.