Texas Hill Country is famous for its wineries, and the Messina Hof Winery is one stop on the Texas Wine Trail you don’t want to miss.

Origins: Located in Bryan, Texas, Messina Hof was established in 1977 by a married couple, Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo. Paul’s family traced its roots to Messina, Italy, while Merrill’s family is from Hof, Germany.

Wine: Messina Hof boasts several award-winning wines. You can order them online, but for an authentic experience, you should visit the vineyard. They will bottle your favorite and even create a private label for your special event. It’s the perfect way to personalize a gift or say ‘thank you’ to someone.

The Wine Bar: The newest addition to Messina Hof, this is the perfect place to relax at the end of the day and sample over 50 varieties of wine. The bar offers appetizers to compliment the wine. The intimate atmosphere is perfect for date night.

Dine: Fine dining is available at the Vintage House, located on the premises. Every dish incorporates an award-winning wine, and the menu selections change quarterly. Enjoy delicious cuisine and sip your wine as you gaze across the beautiful vineyards.

Relax: The Villa Bed and Breakfast at Messina Hof boasts 10 well-appointed rooms decorated with antiques. Included with your stay is a tour of the winery, wine tasting, an evening wine and cheese reception in the Wine Bar, and a champagne breakfast. Spa services are available, including massages in the comfort of your room. Book your stay today and spend a weekend in pampered luxury in beautiful Texas Hill Country.

If you’re looking to buy land in Texas Hill Country, Texas Homesites is an excellent resource. Let us help you navigate the Texas real estate market and show you your options. If vineyard living appeals to you, we can show you home sites in beautiful master-planned communities along the Texas Wine Trail, such as Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard. Find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

If you love spending the night under the stars in Texas, here is a list of places you’ll want to take the time to visit.  Almost all of the land in Texas is privately owned, so state and national parks are usually your best bet for camping.

Enchanted Rock Natural Area: Located north of Fredericksburg in Texas Hill Country, Enchanted Rock features one of the largest natural rock formations in the United States.  Designated as a National Landmark in 1970, Enchanted Rock hosts thousands of visitors annually.  It’s open seven days a week year round except during designated public hunts.  In addition to camping, bird watching, hiking, and rock climbing are popular activities.

Lost Maples State Park: Near Bandera, Texas, the scenery in Lost Maples is perhaps some of the best in the Texas Hill Country, and is especially beautiful in the fall when the foliage begins to change colors.  This park encompasses over 2,000 acres on the Sabinal River and offers year-round outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and mountain climbing, all of which you can enjoy if you decide to take advantage of the park’s various lodging options.  Primitive camping areas are available, as are campsites with water and electricity.

Inks Lake State Park: Located in Burnet, Texas, this park offers 1,200 acres of recreational facilities adjacent to Inks Lake on the Colorado River.  The water level of Inks Lake is usually unaffected by drought, so this is a great place to enjoy water activities year round.  It’s a wonderful place to camp, and the park has recently opened a few cabins if you prefer something sturdier than a tent.  Other features include seven miles of hiking trails, lighted fishing piers, and wireless Internet access in some areas of the park.

An abundance of recreational land is just one of many reasons to live in Texas.  If you’re considering making the beautiful Texas Hill Country your home, let Texas Homesites show you available land in master planned communities that offer the Texas lifestyle and amenities you want.  For additional information on the Texas real estate market, find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter today.

Austin is a diverse city with something for people of all ages, and an abundance of activities the entire family can enjoy.  Here are four family-friendly hot spots in Austin.

Texas State History Museum: Just a few blocks from the Capitol building on Congress Avenue, this museum is a must see for Texas residents or anyone who loves the state’s rich history.  Each floor of the museum covers a different aspect of Texas history.  The first floor is about land, the second floor is about identity, and the third floor is about opportunity, specifically how Texans adapted to the land and how oil changed the state.  The museum is home to Austin’s only IMAX Theater.  A Museum Café on the second floor serves sandwiches, soup, and salads and also features a children’s menu.

Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary: The Austin Zoo draws over 200,000 visitors every year.  With a primary goal of introducing kids to animals, it’s an excellent place to take the family.  There are a number of exhibits and attractions designed especially for little ones.  This zoo is unique in that it rescues the animals on display.  Its beautiful hill-country setting makes it the perfect place to spend an afternoon with the family.

Zilker Park: Just off Barton Springs Road, the Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park is one of Austin’s most famous landmarks and a popular destination for families.  Nine-hundred feet in length, the pool was formed when Barton Creek was dammed, so the bottom is natural rock and gravel.  The water temperature averages 68 degrees all year, so wait for a hot Texas day and take the family to cool off in the pool at Zilker Park.

Austin Children’s Museum: The children’s museum is an Austin treasure, and while it’s child-friendly, adults love it too.  It features interactive exhibits, science demonstrations, camps, workshops, and uses play to help children learn and grow.  During the holidays, take the kids to decorate a gingerbread house. The museum is conveniently located in downtown Austin at 201 Colorado Street.

Austin and the surrounding areas are wonderful places to live, work, and raise a family.  If you want to experience all that Texas living has to offer, let Texas Homesites show you available land in Texas.  You can have peace of mind custom building a home in a gated, master planned community in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.  For additional information on the Texas real estate market, find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter today.

Whether you live in San Antonio or love to vacation there, it’s a wonderful place for families.  The city boasts endless places to go and things to see that the whole family can enjoy.  Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind the next time you’re looking for a fun-filled day.

Visit La Villita: Spanish for “little town,” La Villita was one of San Antonio’s original neighborhoods.  Today it’s populated with art galleries, gift shops, and unique eateries.  It’s a wonderful place to visit with the family, shop, dine, and maybe give the kids a history lesson.

Explore Cascade Caverns: Just outside San Antonio, the caverns offer a unique experience the whole family will love.  Visitors can take a peak beneath the surface of Texas Hill Country, plus see a 100 foot underground waterfall.  The temperature in the cavern remains about 68 degrees all year, so there’s never a bad time to bring the family.

See Shamu: SeaWorld in San Antonio is a spectacle you don’t want to miss.  It features marine life shows and displays, adventure camps, rides, and even a water park.  Located at 10500 SeaWorld Boulevard, the park is open March through December.  Onsite dining lets you stay on the premises as long as you want.

Spend a day at the zoo: The San Antonio Zoo is open every day of the year, so whether you’re in town for a week or just passing through, take the family to see over 3,500 animals that call the zoo home.  The animals are housed in naturalistic exhibits, so the kids will be amazed by what they see and probably learn a little something too.  The zoo is open from 9a.m. – 5p.m., but guests are allowed to stay until 6p.m.

If you’re considering relocating to the San Antonio area, Texas Homesites is your source for Texas real estate information.  It’s an excellent time to buy land in Texas, and home sites in the Texas Hill Country are perfect for custom building a home.  Land is available in master planned communities as well as golfing communities in Texas.  For more information, find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter today.

Texas is second only to Alaska in square footage, and second to no one when it comes to fantastic places to visit.  While it could take a lifetime to experience all that Texas has to offer, here are a few suggestions for day trips you will love.

San Marcos outlets: Right off I-35 between San Antonio and Austin, the San Marcos Outlets are a wonderful place to spend a beautiful fall day in Texas.  Get a jump on your Christmas shopping at the variety of stores in one convenient location.

Gladewater Antiques District: If you consider “antique” to be a verb, take a leisurely drive to Gladewater and check out over 15 antique shops and nearly 100 crafters throughout the city.

East Texas Oil Museum in Kilgore: The museum features dioramas, films, sound effects, a life-size boomtown scene, and artifacts depicting the discovery of the East Texas oil field.  Guided tours are available with reservations.  The museum is open Tuesday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sunday from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

President George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station: A great educational opportunity for the kids, the museum features replicas of Bush’s Camp David and Oval Office.  Hours are Monday – Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. – 5p.m.

Messina HOF Winery in Bryan: Come and take a stroll through the vineyard, sample some wine, learn about wine and food pairings, and relax by the waterfall.  There is no more relaxing way to spend a day.

Austin Hill Country Flyer: The Austin Steam Train’s Hill Country Flyer (temporarily pulled by a diesel locomotive) will take you on a two-hour, 35-mile journey from the Cedar Park station just north of Austin to Burnet through beautiful Texas Hill Country scenery.  After a stop in Burnet for lunch, sightseeing, and shopping, you get back to Austin about 4 or 4:30 p.m.

Whether it’s a day of golf, a visit to a vineyard, or a drive through the rolling hills, you can do it all in Texas.  Now is a great time to buy land in Texas and begin custom building a home.  Texas Homesites is your source for information on the Texas real estate market.  Ask us about Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard, a master planned community between Austin and San Antonio.  You can find us on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

Now that the weather is cooling off across Texas, it’s a wonderful time to dine al fresco.  Here are a few places where you can enjoy the crisp fall weather while savoring some of the best cuisine in Texas.

Boudro’s in San Antonio: A Texas bistro on the River Walk, Boudro’s offers outdoor dining at Charles Court.  Enjoy contemporary Southwestern specialties at one of the intimate tables that line the River Walk.

La Fonda on Main in San Antonio: Opened in 1932, La Fonda’s is San Antonio’s oldest Mexican restaurant.  A fun, casual, and upscale atmosphere greets you on their patio.  They’re open for lunch and dinner, and reservations are required for parties of six or more.

Altdorf Restaurant and Biergarten in Fredericksburg: For over 30 years, Altdorf, which means “old village,” has been serving locals and visitors with hearty food and cold beverages.  Located at 301 West Main Street, Altdorf’s offers both indoor and outdoor dining.  Experience historic Fredericksburg under the shade trees in their authentic biergarten.

Jack Allen’s kitchen in Austin: Experience Texas hospitality and excellent food prepared by Chef Jack Gilmore at the Zagat rated Jack Allen’s, 7720 Highway 71 West.  Come sip a glass of wine and enjoy dinner on the patio, which features a bar.

Verita’s Wine & Bistro in College Station: The best dining experience in College Station awaits you at Verita’s, 830 University Drive East, Suite 400.  Enjoy Chef Lee’s creations under the beautiful Texas sky.

A view of the rolling Texas Hill Country is nice while you dine.  If you’re considering making this picturesque part of Texas your home, Texas Homesites can give you information about Texas land for sale.  Consider land in a golfing community in Texas, where you can spend the day on greens and the evening dining on your porch, where the view is priceless and you never have to wait for a table.  For more information on real estate in Texas, find us on Facebook and Twitter today.

In Texas, autumn is an ideal time to be outdoors and the perfect chance to add color to your landscaping with trees from bright yellows to fiery reds.  Fall planted lawns, shrubs, perennials, and trees enjoy the warm soil and cooler air temperatures.  Here are three tips on fall additions to your landscape.

Add some mums and asters for color and interest.  These perennials can provide instant interest now and establish themselves for future years of enjoyment.  Mums are an excellent choice.  Their blooms last for weeks, not days, and one plant boasts an overabundance of blooms.  In addition to perennials, add some pansies or other annuals that flourish in the cooler weather, like ornamental kale.

Add a tree or flowering shrubs.  Many trees and shrubs are at their best in the fall season for providing color, and they seamlessly blend into the scenery in the Texas Hill Country.  In addition, these trees appreciate a fall planting to establish roots in your landscape and will reward you with years of enjoyment.  Make sure they’re in the ground in time to establish a good root system, which should not be too difficult in Texas.

Finally, adding a light layer of mulch provides some protection for plants for the winter season while adding color and texture to the fall landscape.  In summer, mulch helps retain soil moisture, but it’s just as useful when the temperature drops for protecting shallow-rooted plants.

Land in Texas is perhaps the state’s best natural resource, and affordable Texas living is attracting new land buyers.  If you’re interested in land for sale in Texas, Texas Homesites is an excellent source of information on Texas real estate, including master planned communities in Texas.  Find us on Facebook and Twitter today.

• Salt Lick Bar-B-Que (Austin Airport) - Delicious BBQ has been served up at this Austin eatery for more than 40 years. Thousands of folks stop by this Texas institution each work to enjoy heaping helpings of beef, sausage, pork, ribs and more!

• Home Slice Pizza (1415 South Congress Avenue) - Jen and Joseph Strickland and partner Terri Hannifin started this authentic neighborhood pizza joint with the goal of bringing delicious New York style pizza to Texas. Since then, it has become a local favorite. The staff is said to be dripping with Texas charm.

• Wink Restaurant (1014 North Lamar Boulevard) - Fresh ingredients and light sauces are peppered throughout the menu, served up by a friendly staff in an intimate environment. A fully stocked wine bar featuring authentic Texas wine is another customer favorite.

• Uchi Restaurant (801 South Lamar Boulevard) - Considered by many to be the best Japanese dining available in Austin, this restaurant is characterized by great menu items with fresh ingredients, friendly service and affordable prices. Fried lobster, roasted rabbit and pork are popular menu items. The sushi is said to be excellent.

• Eddie V's Edgewater Grill (301 East 5th Street) - This Austin seafood restaurant features an award-winning combination of prime steaks and fresh seafood with live music. Co-owners Larry Foles and Guy Villavaso are New Orleans natives who brought their skills with them to make this a popular dining spot in Austin.

• Trio Restaurant (98 San Jacinto Boulevard) - Steak, seafood and wine are the specialties at this Austin haunt located downtown. The lakefront views enhance this restaurant’s pleasant atmosphere. Guests can choose main, patio or private dining options. Local and seasonal ingredients are included in every menu item for that special Texas touch.

Texas Homesites is your top choice for prime Texas real estate from the lush Texas Hill Country to the elegant Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard and everywhere in between. Look for Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter to see what your friends are saying about us.

Texas is the second-largest state in the nation and claims four of the best big cities to work in. We have mountains, beaches, rivers, lakes, and the Hill Country. Here are a couple reasons why we think you should move to Texas.

We take care of people: Many people move to Texas just to take advantage of the great medical centers. Houston is home to the world-famous Texas Medical Center and several leading cancer treatment facilities, while other cities in Texas boast prestigious research facilities.

We know how to eat:  No one can ever accuse Texans of not eating enough. With a variety of different foods offered throughout the state, you’ll find your favorite. From barbeque to the best Mexican food this side of Mexico, from the steak houses to fine dining restaurants, Texas offers something you’ll love.

We have something for everyone: Texas offers so many attractions, activities, and destinations; you won’t ever have to leave! You can go to the beach, float the river, walk trails through nature preserves, experience the incredible shopping, go to Six Flags, visit historical sites, and so much more without having to leave the state. Texas has so much entertainment to offer that you’ll never be bored.

We take pride in our state: As the only state that was previously its own republic, we love our great state. We are the only state allowed to fly our flag at the same level as the U.S. flag, and we have our own pledge of allegiance, which is pretty cool.

Population says it all: Texas is the second-largest state in the country. Texas is home to over 24 million people and three of the biggest cities in America. That’s a lot of people who have seen the benefits Texas has to offer and have chosen to call one of our great cities home.

For more information on the great benefits of living in Texas, contact Texas Homesites. We work to provide you with the best homesite for sale in Texas. Our master-planned communities are located in some of the most-desired locations in Texas. We hope you decide to experience all Texas has to offer and allow us to be part of your decision!

Quiet, country living: Life in the Texas vineyards is popular mainly because of the relaxed and quiet atmosphere they provide. Owning your own land on the Texas Wine Trail is immeasurable. With amazing views of the rich landscape, your own private retreat nestled into the Hill Country, and living within walking distance of some of the greatest wineries in the world, vineyard living is a great way to unwind and enjoy all nature has to offer.

Wine all around you: The Texas Wine Trail is home to most of the wineries in Texas, and as a member of a vineyard living community, you are usually invited to free tastings and receive other perks. Apart from the privileges, you are also surrounded by wineries that have been internationally recognized, so you can explore the best that Texas wine has to offer.

Community with shared interests: Another positive about vineyard living is that you are part of a community of people with similar interests. Your neighbors would most likely be others who appreciate fine wine and the beauty of nature; your friendship with them could grow based on that bond. Community living near the vineyards usually provides amenities as well, like a pool and fitness center.

Vineyard living provides an oasis unrivaled by almost any other community. Texas Homesites would love to help you find your perfect homesite in our Vintage Oaks community in New Braunfels, located right on the Texas Wine Trail with all the amenities of a world-class resort. Contact us today so we can assist you in your search for the perfect site in your dream location.