William Chris Vineyards in Hye just pulled off a serious Texas-sized flex, vaulting into the World’s 50 Best Vineyards list at No. 31 for 2025. It is the first time a Texas vineyard has broken into the top 50, a milestone for both the Hill Country and the state’s wine industry that is expected to draw more visitors and fresh attention to Texas-grown wines.
Official ranking and what it says
The World’s 50 Best Vineyards named William Chris Vineyards No. 31 on its 2025 list and praised the estate’s oak groves, rolling views, and hands-on tour-and-tasting program, according to The World's 50 Best Vineyards. The results were unveiled at a live awards ceremony in Margaret River, Australia, where the list’s voting academy, made up of hundreds of wine and travel experts, revealed its annual top picks. William Chris appears as a new entry among the global top 50 destinations.
Steady climb to the top
William Chris has not exactly come out of nowhere. The winery has been on the extended list for years and pushed steadily upward: it was No. 56 in 2022, No. 60 in 2023, and No. 63 in 2024 before leaping this year to No. 31, per the winery’s trade materials. The company says that the run reflects sustained investment in sustainable farming, minimal-intervention winemaking, and upgraded visitor programming. That trajectory helps explain why the Hill Country estate is now drawing attention from international wine travelers and critics.
Local reaction and the winery's take
CultureMap pointed out that William Chris's No. 31 finish makes it the first Texas winery to appear inside the top 50, and quoted co-founder Chris Brundrett calling the nod “a proud moment not just for us, but for Texas.” As reported by CultureMap Austin, local coverage framed the listing as validation of Texas wine’s rising quality and hospitality offerings. The winery has leaned into that narrative, emphasizing land stewardship and the visitor experience behind its wines.
What visitors will find at the estate
The World’s 50 Best entry highlights William Chris’s tour-and-tasting program, oak-shaded grounds, and southern hospitality, attributes the list says make it a standout Hill Country destination, according to The World's 50 Best Vineyards. The property’s curated experiences range from shorter tastings to more immersive, chef-paired offerings, the entry. Those experiences sit at the center of the winery’s pitch as a travel destination rather than just a production site.
Why this matters for Texas wine
The recognition lands amid a string of recent awards for Texas producers: William Chris and other Hill Country labels picked up several medals at Decanter competitions this year, a trend local critics say signals rising national and international respect, according to The Austin Chronicle. That momentum has helped position the Hill Country as a legitimate wine region to watch and to visit. Industry observers expect the listing to boost tourism across the region as travelers seek out highly curated vineyard experiences.
Planning a visit
William Chris sits along U.S. Highway 290 in Hye, roughly an hour to 90 minutes from Austin depending on traffic, and the estate recommends booking experiences in advance. Reserve tastings run about 60 minutes, and the Chef’s Table is a longer food-and-wine pairing experience, with details and booking options laid out on the winery’s reservation pages. For hours, booking,s and concierge contacts, see William Chris Vineyards.
