William Chris Vineyards Opens on Historic Main Street in Fredericksburg
The first and only Texas winery named to the World's 50 Best Vineyards list brings its wines to downtown
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William Chris Vineyards, the Hill Country winery ranked No. 31 on the 2025 World’s 50 Best Vineyards list, has opened William Chris Fredericksburg at 101 E. Main Street. Located in the historic Maier Building, the new tasting room brings the winery’s commitment to 100% Texas-grown wines to the heart of downtown Fredericksburg.
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Chris Brundrett, Co-Founder & CEO
Built in 1874 by Edward Maier as a general store, the limestone building has witnessed more than 150 years of Fredericksburg history. In 1887, it became home to Temple D. Smith’s Bank of Fredericksburg, the site of an 1888 robbery remembered as the town’s only recorded bank robbery. Over the decades, the building also served as a saloon, an American Legion meeting hall and a Piggly Wiggly grocery store.
For William Chris, preserving that history was an important part of bringing the space back to life.
The Maier Building marks the third historic property more than a century old that William Chris has helped preserve and restore. The first was the original farmhouse at its Hye estate, followed by the historic Hye Post Office, which reopened earlier this year as the home of Rebecca Caroline Sparkling.
That same thoughtful approach guided the transformation of the new Fredericksburg tasting room. Months of historical research informed the design, from hand-painted signage inspired by archival photographs of the building’s original lettering to interiors featuring historic imagery, collected keepsakes and decorative details inspired by German folk art.
Rather than simply occupying a historic space, William Chris hopes to help carry its story forward. The winery has invited local residents to share photographs, memories and stories of the Maier Building, with plans to incorporate those contributions into a growing collection celebrating the building’s place in the community.
The move to downtown Fredericksburg also represents a natural connection between two communities with deep agricultural ties. Since its founding in 2008, William Chris has championed wines made exclusively from Texas-grown grapes, celebrating the farmers, vineyards and growing regions that make Texas wine possible. Opening on Main Street brings that commitment into a town shaped by generations of farmers, ranchers and growers.
“We’ve been part of the Hill Country for 18 years, and Fredericksburg is where my family lives,” said Chris Brundrett, co-founder of William Chris Vineyards. “I grew up in rural Texas, and Main Street towns like this one are what I love about this state. This building has been part of the community a lot longer than we have. Our job is to take care of it and add our chapter to its story.”
William Chris Fredericksburg is currently welcoming guests during its soft opening, with walk-in tastings available. Current hours and visitor information can be found at williamchriswines.com/fredericksburg.
The original William Chris Vineyards estate and tasting room remains open in Hye, Texas, along U.S. Highway 290.
About William Chris Vineyards
Founded in 2008 in Hye, Texas, by Bill Blackmon and Chris Brundrett, William Chris Vineyards produces wines that reflect the distinctive character of Texas through sustainable farming practices and minimal-intervention winemaking. In 2025, William Chris became the first and only Texas winery to earn a place among the World’s 50 Best Vineyards, ranking No. 31. The winery is also a founding member of the Wine Atlas Collective.
Media Resources
Fredericksburg photo gallery: gallery.williamchriswines.com/fredericksburg/
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Media gallery
