Austin Hill Country: BBQ at Salt Lick & 3 Winery Tastings

Salt Lick BBQ and Three Hill Country Wine Stops in One Afternoon

You're driven from Austin to Salt Lick for Texas BBQ lunch, then to three Hill Country wineries for tastings with vineyard views. The tour covers transport and a local guide. You pay for meals and tastings on-site as you go. Small groups keep the pace relaxed, and the air-conditioned vehicle handles the driving between stops, so you can focus on eating and tasting without worrying about navigation or parking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Texas BBQ and Hill Country wineries

• Visit Salt Lick for Texas BBQ
• Enjoy wine tasting at first winery
• Enjoy wine tasting at second winery
• Enjoy wine tasting at third winery

The experience

The moment you realize the Salt Lick doesn't charge entry (you just walk in, grab a plate, and the smell hits you) is when you understand why this place has been slinging mesquite-smoked brisket since 1967. Your group pulls up mid-morning, and yeah, you're paying for lunch on-site (budget around $35 per person), but there's no pretense, no upsell. You eat what you want, the way Texans do it. After that, the Hill Country opens up: three wineries, three tastings, all within a comfortable drive, all included in the tour itself. You just cover each tasting as you go (roughly $17 to $25 per person, depending on the winery). The air-conditioned vehicle means you're not sweating between stops, and the driver knows the back roads well enough that the ride itself becomes part of the thing.

The first winery hits you with scenic views and approachable Texas wines: the kind that don't require you to know anything about tannins or terroir. The second leans Italian-style, with vineyard views that actually justify the Instagram moment. By the third stop, you're in a relaxed Hill Country setting with a broad selection, and the pace has settled into something that feels less like checking boxes and more like an actual afternoon. Small groups mean you're not herded. There's room to linger at a tasting or skip ahead if something isn't clicking. The whole day is structured, but loose enough that it doesn't feel like you're being rushed through a checklist.

What makes this work is the simplicity: you get picked up from Austin, driven to three specific places, and returned. No surprises about what's included (the vehicle and the driver), no confusion about what you pay for (food and tastings, on-site). The Hill Country wine region is one of Texas' fastest-growing, and this tour hits the highlights without pretending to be something it's not. It's a casual, well-organized afternoon that gets you out of the city and into the vineyards without the logistics headache.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with a driver/guide for the full tour.
• pickup and return from Austin.
• stops at Salt Lick BBQ, and three Hill Country wineries with scenic vineyard views. Food and wine tastings are paid separately on-site at each location.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday to SundayDeparts at 10:30

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (21 and older) · Under 21: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Long Horn Wine Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want the Hill Country wine experience without arranging your own transport, navigating between wineries, or worrying about driving after tastings: the small group size and fixed stops mean you show up and the day unfolds on schedule.

Traveler reviews

4.71★★★★★★★★★★

35 verified traveler reviews

5 ★31

4 ★2

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's included in the tour price?

Air-conditioned vehicle and a driver/guide. Food and wine tastings are paid separately on-site.

How much should I budget for food and tastings?

Plan around $35 for BBQ lunch at Salt Lick, and $17–$25 per winery tasting (three tastings total). Exact prices vary by winery and are subject to availability.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.

Is this suitable for people with mobility concerns?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Public transportation options are also available nearby if needed.

Can I choose which wineries to visit?

The three wineries are set as part of the standard itinerary. Availability at each location is subject to change.

Do I need to know about wine to enjoy this?

No. The wineries offer approachable tastings, and the tour is designed for all experience levels.

What if I don't drink alcohol?

You can skip tastings and enjoy the vineyard views, or focus on the BBQ lunch at Salt Lick. The tour is flexible about participation at each stop.