Senza Maeso, the visionary Hill Country tasting room known for its sci fi tinged bar on the edge of Wimberley and San Marcos, will shut down its San Marcos location on May 31 after less than three years in operation. Brothers Ryan and Jay Gitman said the spot had built a loyal crowd and was busier than ever, but it was soaking up more time, energy and money than they could realistically keep pouring into it. The tasting room originally opened in early 2024 to showcase a house spirit made from South American cape gooseberry.
Gitmans Announce The End On Instagram
In a candid Instagram post, the brothers told followers, "This is not where we wanted to be," and said that even as interest climbed they had "reached the point where we simply can’t keep operating." CultureMap San Antonio shared the statement and reported that May 31 will mark the tasting room's last day of service. The Gitmans framed the decision as a financial and workload reality check rather than a failure of the concept.
How The Bar Built A Following
Twin brothers Ryan and Jay Gitman launched Senza Maeso as a bottled spirit in 2023, then opened the San Marcos tasting room at 1090 FM 32 in February 2024, according to the San Marcos Record. The brand's origin story on Senza Maeso notes that the spirit is built from the South American cape gooseberry and that New York firm 71 Collective designed the otherworldly interior. The San Marcos Record also lists retail outlets and Austin bars that stock Senza Maeso bottles, showing the brand carved out a footprint beyond its Hill Country hideout.
Final Weeks For A Haven Of The Curious
Although the choice to close was clearly painful, the Gitmans wrote that the project succeeded in its main experiment: building a community. CultureMap San Antonio quoted the brothers describing Senza Maeso as "built to be a haven for curious people." For locals who drop in for a signature Senza cocktail or a late night espresso martini, these last weeks before May 31 will be the final chance to experience one of the Hill Country's more unusual tasting room visions from the inside.
