William Chris Winery Named the 31st Best Vineyard in the World
William Chris Vineyards has earned a place on the global wine map after being named the 31st Best Vineyard in the World by the prestigious World’s 50 Best Vineyards Awards. After three straight years in the top 100, William Chris rose an astonishing 32 places last year, all the way to number 31 in the world. An already strong, consistent ranking rose to put this terrific Texas winery alongside legendary wine destinations in France, Italy, Spain, Chile, and the US.
For some context, at #31 William Chris outranks many internationally famous wineries and Champagne Houses. Some of those include outstanding wineries like Robert Mondavi Winery (#37), Château Margaux (#36), Champagne Bollinger (#42), and Champagne Ayala (#50). Furthermore, William Chris is the only Texas winery to rank in the top 50 World’s Best Wineries. Additionally, it is one of only seven US wineries on the top 50 list. Already established as a powerhouse in Texas wines, in May they added the fabulous Rebecca Caroline Sparkling Wines line and tasting room to the family.
The annual rankings recognize not only exceptional wines but also outstanding visitor experiences, hospitality, architecture, and sense of place. This remarkable honor confirms what many Texans have long believed—world-class wines are being grown and shared right here at William Chris in the Lone Star State.
We Grow Wine at William Chris Vineyards
We heard many times at William Chris that great wines are grown in the vineyard.
Chris Brundrett, co-founder and CEO, reiterated this guiding philosophy of William Chris as he gave us a tour of the tasting rooms, grounds and barrel room, stating:
“Great wines are not made, but grown in the vineyard.”
Chris said he and partner William Blackmon had started the business in 2008 with $40,000 and an American Express card, betting everything on their belief that Texas-grown grapes could produce world-class wines. They certainly faced their share of struggles, but stayed true to their principles, and have built one of the most respected wineries in the Hill Country.
According to Chris, everything starts with growing the best grapes in the various Texas locations. You have to start with the best fruit and then follow the best methods for turning that precious fruit into the quality wines we now enjoy. At William Chris, they are very proud to only use Texas-grown grapes. The beauty of the tasting rooms, the cleanliness of the barrel room, the meticulous landscaping of the public area, the quality of the food, the outstanding public service, and the exceptional wines are all a testament to William Chris’s dedication to being the best.
Exceptional People at William Chris Vineyards
Julie and I have been fortunate to visit several of the wineries on the Best 50 in the World list, including Maison Ruinart and Champagne Tattinger in Reims, and Robert Mondavi in California. In addition to wonderful wines in spectacular settings, one thing each of these award-winning wineries has in common is the exceptional customer service they provide. These award-winning wineries are full of friendly smiles, thoughtful planning, meticulous attention to detail, and warm interactions that elevate each visit.
At William Chris, everything starts at the top with founders and owners Chris Brundrett and William Blackmon. Chris and his wife Katharine were very welcoming and helpful on our latest visit to William Chris, which is about a four-hour drive from our home in The Woodlands (near Houston). Our William Chris experience began with a refreshing glass of Mary Ruth, the winery’s vibrant signature white blend. Bursting with floral aromas, ripe peach, and tropical fruit, it offered a bright introduction to the craftsmanship and hospitality that have made William Chris one of the world’s top wine destinations.
Chris Brundrett is Leading the Charge
Chris met us at the lovely tasting room, and took us on a fun and interesting tour of the grounds and barrel room. After our tour, Julie and I went across the street to Rebecca Caroline to join Chris and a group of about 20 guests for a tasting session celebrating the Grand Opening of the new bubbly venue. Chris is a very personable, plain-spoken, friendly man who stands tall in his homemade Texas boots. His extensive knowledge, work ethic, innovation, and vision have proven to be invaluable in charting the course of William Chris.
Everywhere we went at William Chris, we met friendly folks like Seth, Director of Production Operations, Francisco with Hospitality Management, our hostess Sue at the Rebecca Caroline Grand Opening, hostess Dawn Cox at the Chef’s Table, several members of the exceptional culinary team, and many other folks that made our visit special.
Welcome, Rebecca Caroline
Just across Highway 290 from William Chris Vineyards, history is bubbling to life in one of the Texas Hill Country’s most iconic buildings. The beautifully restored historic Hye Post Office has been transformed into Rebecca Caroline, an elegant new tasting room devoted exclusively to traditional-method sparkling wines crafted from 100% Texas-grown grapes. The name Rebecca Caroline was the result of combining the middle names of the two daughters of owners Chris and Katharine Brundrett, June Rebecca and Tess Caroline.
Seth Urbanek serves as Director of Production Operations for William Chris Wine Company, where he leads one of the most ambitious sparkling wine programs in Texas. Joining the winery in 2023, Urbanek was recruited to establish a full-scale production facility dedicated to traditional-method sparkling wines, bringing Champagne-inspired techniques to the Texas Hill Country.
We visited Rebecca Caroline at their Grand Opening in late May. After an introduction from founder and CEO Chris Brundrett and Seth, we were seated in the beautiful main tasting room at Rebecca Caroline in the Old Post Office. A duet played country music on the stage by the front windows. The culinary team laid out a tasty buffet consisting of French-Fried Drumsticks, homemade coleslaw, fried pickled green tomatoes, fried okra, fresh oysters, and a variety of dips and sauces. As we nibbled on food and sipped on some wonderful sparkling wines, Sue, our friendly hostess, gave us descriptions of each wine served and answered our many questions.
Delicious Food and Drink at Rebecca Caroline
We enjoyed each of the sparkling wines we sampled. Having just visited a dozen Champagne Houses in Epernay and Reims last year, I can say some of these we sampled at William Chris compared favorably to those we tried in France. Although we are not experts, we have tried enough sparkling wines to know what we like – and we definitely liked what we sampled at William Chris. Among our favorites was a 2023 Sparkling Boxing Rabbit Cuveè, grown in the red sandy soils of the historic Boxing Rabbit Vineyards in the Texas High Plains. I enjoyed the pairings with the delicious French-Fried Chicken, creamy coleslaw, and fried okra and pickled green tomatoes.
Although neither Julie or I partake, the kitchen also served fresh oysters with your choice of tabasco sauce and various sauces. The oysters are seasonal, and seemed very popular on this warm summer day. Few pairings are as timeless as oysters and sparkling wine, and William Chris elevates the tradition with unmistakable Texas flair. Many people remarked they were delicious, and were the perfect complement to the sparkling wines served that day. So if you are a fan, check out the oysters when they are available.
The Old Historic Post Office
The intimate venue preserves the character of the century-old post office, where original postal boxes, vintage architectural details, and timeless Hill Country charm now provide a memorable backdrop for raising a glass. Here, guests discover that world-class sparkling wine isn’t reserved for Champagne alone. Every bottle is produced using some of the same labor-intensive traditional method employed by many of Europe’s most celebrated sparkling wine houses, although William Chris has heavily invested in new, more efficient modern technologies and processes. Importantly, each reflects the unique soils, climate, and personality of Texas vineyards. With guided tastings, thoughtfully curated food pairings, and an atmosphere that beautifully blends history with modern sophistication, Rebecca Caroline offers visitors a sparkling new reason to stop in Hye and experience the remarkable evolution of Texas wine country.
When William Chris converted the historic Hye Post Office into the Rebecca Caroline sparkling wine tasting room, they preserved a small, operational branch of the United States Postal Service inside the building. The vast majority of the building is now occupied by the tasting room, but a tiny postal facility still operates in one corner for a few hours each day.
Rebecca Caroline is Still an Operating Post Office
Visitors can still:
- See the original post office boxes.
- Walk up to the historic post office counter, which now serves as the wine bar.
- Mail letters from the functioning USPS window during its limited operating hours.
- Experience one of Texas’ oldest continuously operating post office locations while enjoying a sparkling wine tasting.
This is actually one of the most fascinating aspects of Rebecca Caroline—the building hasn’t simply been turned into a winery. Instead, it has been thoughtfully restored so that its postal heritage remains part of the visitor experience. Historic features such as the pressed tin ceiling, original wood floors, vintage post office boxes, and the famous front porch where Lyndon B. Johnson swore in Lawrence F. O’Brien in 1965 have all been preserved.
The Chef’s Table Wine Pairing Experience
One of our favorite experiences at William Chris was the outstanding Chef’s Table Wine Pairing experience. Our gracious hostess was Dawn Cox, a very friendly and knowledgable lady with a passion for great wines. At William Chris Vineyards’ Chef’s Table, each course demonstrated how thoughtful wine pairings can elevate both the food and the wine. Our afternoon began with a light Ahi Crudo, its delicate flavors and bright citrus beautifully complemented by Moonlight, a Mourvèdre-based blend whose vibrant acidity, floral aromas, and subtle red-fruit notes enhanced the dish’s freshness without overwhelming it.
The second course featured Texas Quail, a Hill Country favorite, paired with two distinctive wines. A richly textured Roussanne highlighted the quail’s savory, herb-infused character with notes of stone fruit and honey, while Dell Valley Syrah offered pepper, blackberry, and smoky undertones that brought added depth and complexity to every bite.
Next Dawn introduced us to a perfectly prepared Lamb Porterhouse, matched with William Chris’ bold Tannat. Firm tannins, dark berry flavors, and hints of cocoa and spice mirrored the richness of the lamb, creating a classic pairing where each element enhanced the other. I love lamb, but this was the first time Julie had tried it. I was happy to hear her say she liked it. We both enjoyed the tender, smoky flavors of the grilled lamb paired with Tannat, which has become a local favorite. Tannat was originally cultivated in the Pyrenees Mountains in Southwest France, and has become very popular in Uruguay and other areas before making it to Texas.
Dessert concluded our experience with a delightful Compressed Strawberry Crumble, accompanied by Pétillant Naturel Sparkling Red. The wine’s lively bubbles, fresh berry notes, and refreshing acidity complemented the ripe strawberries while cleansing our palates after the creamy, buttery crumble. Together, the four courses showcased William Chris’ philosophy that exceptional Texas wines, thoughtfully paired with locally inspired cuisine, create an unforgettable dining experience that celebrates the best of the Texas Hill Country.
Like everything William Chris does, their Chef’s Table Wine Pairing is an exceptional blend of wonderful wines, fabulous food, and friendly service in a beautiful Hill Country setting.
How to Get to William Chris Vineyards in Hye
William Chris is in the middle of the Texas Hill Country on Highway 290, 25 minutes east of Fredericksburg, an hour from San Antonio and Austin, and about four hours from the Houston area. Historic Johnson City is just 10 minutes away. If you find yourself in the Texas Hill Country, be sure to put William Chris on your map to come visit. You’ll be glad you did!
Enchanté, Ya’ll
Come see for yourself why William Chris fully deserves its number 31 ranking in the World’s 50 Best Vineyards List. With the amazing Rebecca Caroline added to the picture, William Chris has even more great reasons for you to come visit!
Enchanté, Ya’ll.
Check out some other fun PlayStayEat articles that focus on great wines throughout the US and the world:
Champagne Houses in Reims, France
Champagne Houses in Epernay, France
Willamette Valley Wineries, Oregon
Wine Spectator Names Don Melchor’s #1 Wine in the World, with Winemaker Enrique Tirado
Steuben County Wines in Finger Lakes, New York
