The American novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, “Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right.” And Oscar Wilde proclaimed, “Only the unimaginative can fail to find a reason for drinking Champagne.” Perhaps the most revered and idolized beverage of all time, Champagne has long been the beverage denoting celebration and luxury.
To be clear, Champagne is a region in France. And only bubbly wines grown in this area can be named Champagne on the bottle. Yet most wine-making countries have their own version of sparkling wine. Whether you enjoy Cava from Spain, Prosecco from northern Italy, Sekt from Germany, or sparkling from the U.S., there are numerous styles and flavors in bubbly wines worldwide.
Dating back to the fifth century in France, kings were coronated in Reims Cathedral in the Champagne region. Sparkling Champagne wines of the area flowed freely at the coronation banquets and soon became the norm for royal visitors. The drink quickly became sought after by other royal courts of Europe. It has long been said that Champagne is “the wine of kings and the king of wines.”
Through the centuries, Champagne has become the symbol of prosperity and celebration. It’s no surprise this view is being embraced by local Hill Country wine enthusiasts seeking to share the celebratory spirit of Champagne and sparkling wines. Three new local wine bars are focused on bubbly and highlighting celebration every day. The Hill Country is undoubtedly the center of the wine industry in Texas. But one thing that has been lacking is the luxury and celebration of a sparkling wine bar. Each of the new bubble bars offers great wines and a distinct vibe to fit your particular mood or occasion.
BROOKE’S BUBBLE BAR
A thoroughly pink party
If you are celebrating a bachelorette party, a girls’ weekend, or just life in general, you’ll want to check out Brooke’s Bubble Bar. The newest Fredericksburg spot on Main Street, the pink place just opened in November. Brooke Rogan is an ambitious young entrepreneur born and raised in Fredericksburg. She started Brooke’s Bubble Bus tour company in October 2020 with one hot pink passenger bus, which has grown in three short years to eleven vehicles. This gal loves bubbles. Brooke says, “Since I turned 21, bubbles are all I drink! I wanted a business of my own that focuses on what I love.” Pink and Champagne are what came to mind. With the hard-earned success of the wine tour business, the next natural step was a headquarters, which has taken shape as a bubble bar.
With a pink theme, the entire vibe of the space is celebration and fun. When entering the bar, the first thing you’ll see is the lighted sign proclaiming Brooke’s motto: Let’s get bubbly! The vibrant space is open Wednesday through Sunday, with late hours on the weekends. One thing that sets this space apart is the focus on pink…another is the limo service. The tour service picks up guests from their hotel or bed and breakfast. Each stop has a sparkling wine on the menu. And now, one stop will be Brooke’s Bubble Bar. But you don’t have to be on a tour to stop in and enjoy all the pink. Each beverage is either pink bubbly or packaged in pink. The local Hye Cider has created a pink cider sold only at Brooke’s. Beer and pink snacks are available as well. And keep an eye out for the coming small plate menu. Surely to be pink as well. Limo service is available to and from Brooke’s. The Limo Lounge can be booked for a private party, complete with limo service, a bottle of bubbly, and pink snacks for up to 12 guests, all starting at just $150. The entire space can be rented for a bachelorette party or larger group event. Daytime pink bubble tea service can be arranged for a kids’ group or birthday party. If you love fun, pink, and bubbly drinks, you’ll want to stop in.
SIX TWISTS
A sparkling experience
This much-anticipated sparkling bar opened its new location in August at 425 East Main Street in Fredericksburg. Three wine lovers have joined forces to bring us an experience you’d expect in Los Angeles or New York City, yet Fredericksburg is home to this fabulous spot that appeals to tourists and locals alike. Bobby and Melissa Humphries partnered with Sommelier Andre Boada and dreamed up a space unlike anything in the area. Did you know the cage on a bottle of bubbly that holds the cork in place is called a Muselet? It always takes six twists to unwind the wire cage before uncorking a sparkling wine. When you visit Six Twists, they encourage you to think of six things you are grateful for while they open your bottle. The space exudes luxury, and you’ll feel fancy just walking in. All three partners have extensive training in wine and Champagne in particular. “Sparkling wine exudes effervescent energy and is synonymous with memorable moments and celebration,” Melissa says. “While there are many wine bars and wineries in the area, no one was focused on champagnes and sparkling wines from around the world. It is a niche that is much needed in our area and the rest of Texas.”
The broad selection of sparkling wines starts at $15 a glass and $40 a bottle, with Special Selection Champagnes reaching $300 or more. Bottles from Texas producers include McPherson Sparkling Chenin Blanc, Lost Draw Pinot Meunier Pet Nat, two Heath Sparkling wines, and Hye Cider. A small and carefully curated selection of still red and white wines are available and will change regularly. The fantastic small plate menu features classic pairings such as truffle fries, charcuterie, bread plates, galette flatbread, and elevated caviar flights. As if the ambiance and selection aren’t enough, Six Twists also offers private parties and off-site events to take the celebration on location for an educational experience at your bed and breakfast or for a larger group tasting at an event space. Special events are offered regularly with visiting winemakers, educational classes, and pairing dinners. Check out the Six Twists Social Club for seasonal dinners and parties. Some membership levels include wine lockers and free events. This opulent space is a perfect place for top-notch bottles and commemorating life’s special events.
REPOSE: Relax, recharge, reconnect
Located at 625 Water Street in Kerrville, this comfortable space offers High Tea by day and a Champagne lounge by night. Open weekly from Thursday through Sunday, tea service is available starting at 11 a.m., and reservations are recommended. Come 4 p.m., the space transforms into a relaxing Champagne lounge. Cynthia and Terry Wood are residents of the tiny town of Hunt and are lovers of bubbles. They opened this cozy spot in July to offer a Europe-style tea experience in a perfect space to indulge in a little personal time. The three-course afternoon tea is $49 per person, and you won’t leave hungry. A special children’s tea service is available.
And of course, Champagne is available with your tea service. In the evenings, sparkling wine is flowing, accompanied by small plates of carefully prepared bites, and you won’t want to skip the sun-dried tomato deviled eggs. Wine cocktails and beer start at $5, and bubbles are all under $20 a glass with tasting flights available. Bottle prices start under $40, with some still wines and dessert wines available in addition to the bubbles. The main attractions are the comfortable space dedicated to relaxation, alongside Grower Champagnes and Special Selections often hard to find in Texas. The cozy vignette seating areas make for a perfect spot to relax, take a moment to recharge, and reconnect with friends.
Whether you live in the Hill Country or you’re a visitor, these three sparkling venues offer unique settings to go out with friends and loved ones. Whatever you’re celebrating, raise a glass here.