Our state’s love affair with wine dates back to the 1600’s, when Spanish missionaries began growing grapes near present-day El Paso. Fast-forward to today and you’ll see that we’re still on the honeymoon. In fact, in 2009 Texas was home to 181 wineries and produced 2.4 million gallons of wine. Spread the love this Valentine’s Day holiday and go to one of the vineyards listed below to enjoy a chocolate truffle (or two), some tiny bites, a delicious four-course meal, or a taste of your favorite Texas wine.

BECKER VINEYARDS

Merlot & Chocolate Tasting
Delight your senses with a heady combination of truffles from Delysia Chocolatier and select house merlots. Live music adds to the mood (Brian Mullin performs on Saturday and Chad Hudson on Valentine’s Day). Feb 13 from 10–6 & Feb 14 from noon–6. Free.

Valentine’s Day Luncheon & Dinner
Enjoy either a three-course lunch or a four-course dinner paired with smart wines. Dawn Gentle of Delicious Details and Vickie Bonewitz of My Own Chef will be creating the lunch and dinner menus, respectively. Candlelit tables in the Vineyards Lavender Haus Reception Hall set the tone. Feb. 14 at 11 & 5. Luncheon $65, dinner $85 (per person, plus tax).
464 Becker Farms Rd, Stonewall (830-644-2681). beckervineyards.com.

BERNHARDT WINERY

Valentine’s Dinner
Reserve a spot at this small winery for a four-course European-style dinner (with red wine pairings). If you are inclined to sway with your partner, Don Juan will be singing throughout the evening. Feb 13 from 6–11. $90 (per person, plus tax and gratuity). Reservations required.
9043 County Rd 204, Plantersville (936-894-9829). bernhardtwinery.com.

BLUEBONNET TRAIL WINERIES

Wine and Chocolate Trail
Tour the wineries along the Bluebonnet Trail and sample two chocolate and wine pairings at each vineyard. Participating wineries include Bernhardt, Messina Hof, and Windy Winery. Feb 6–7 & 13–14. $25 per person, $45 per couple.
Multiple locations. texasbluebonnetwinetrail.com.

CAP*ROCK WINERY

Valentine’s Dinner
Dine on a menu created by Starlight Catering and sip select wines. Feb 14 at 6. $50 (per person, plus tax and gratuity). Reservations required.
408 E. Woodrow Rd, Lubbock (806-686-4452). caprockwinery.com.

CHISHOLM TRAIL WINERY

Annual Sweetheart Dinner
Dust off your tuxedo (ladies, here’s an excuse to purchase that gown you’ve been eyeing) and mingle while listening to harpist Emily Johnson and noshing on hor d’oeuvres. Then enjoy a four-course meal paired with a range of wines. Feb 13 at 7:30. $85 (per person, plus tax). Reservations required.
2367 Usener Rd , Fredericksburg (830-990-2675). chisholmtrailwinery.com.

DRIFTWOOD ESTATE WINERY

Winemaker Dinner at the Blair House
Listen to a vintner talk about wine as you enjoy a five-course meal at the Blair House Inn. Feb 13 at 7:30. $64.50 (per person, plus tax and 20 percent gratuity). Reservations required (call 512-847-1111 or 877-549-5450).
4001 Elder Hill Rd (County Rd 170), Driftwood (512-858-9667). driftwoodvineyards.com.

FALL CREEK VINEYARDS

Wine Lovers Lunch Pique Nique
Enjoy a French-inspired luncheon featuring select wines. Feb 13 at 11:30 & 1:30. $30.

“Like Wine for Chocolate” Pairing Class
Taste decadent chocolates and then find the perfect wines to go with them. Feb 14 at 1 & 3. $18.
1820 County Rd 222, Tow (325-379-5361). fcv.com.

LOST CREEK VINEYARD

Valentine’s Day Dinner
Get caught up in the moment while savoring a three-course meal created by Treehouse Bistro chef Rafael Garcia. Dessert will be served with a complimentary glass of champagne. Feb 14 at 5. $75 (per person, plus tax and 20 percent gratuity). Reservations required.
1129 Ranch Rd 2233, Sunrise Beach (325-388-3753). lostcreekvineyard.com.

MESSINA HOF WINERY & RESORT

Valentine’s Day at the Vintage House Restaurant
Feast on a four-course dinner featuring dishes that incorporate the vineyard’s wines. Feb 13 & 14 from 4–9. $49.95 (per person, plus tax and gratuity).

Valentine’s Day Murder Mystery Dinner
Solve a mystery (a Hollywood whodunnit) while enjoying a four-course dinner paired with select wines. Feb 13 at 6:30. $69.95 (per person, plus tax and gratuity).

Cooking Party With Chef Kenneth Richards: “Aphrodisiacs” and “Oysters to Chocolate”
Learn how to whip up your four-course meal during this cooking lesson. You may find the fried oysters and wine pairings for each course a bit distracting, but go with it. Feb 11 at 6:30. $69.95 (per person, plus tax and gratuity).
4545 Old Reliance Rd, Bryan (979-778-9463). messinahof.com.

PEDERNALES CELLARS

Valentine’s Day at Pedernales Cellars
Groove to the sounds of Lonnie Lett while you taste a variety of wines and shop for truffles and other Valentine’s Day goodies. Feb 14 from 1–6. Free.
2916 Upper Albert Rd, Stonewall (830-644-2037). pedernalescellars.com.

SINGING WATER VINEYARDS

Valentines Weekend
Listen to Bill Smallwood serenade glowing couples as they walk the grounds. And if you really want to make the mood last, purchase a gift-basket filled with a bottle of Sweet Lupe Merlot, four chocolate truffles, and two wine stems. Feb 13 & 14 from 1–4. $23.95 (per gift package).
316 Mill Dam Rd, Comfort (830-995-2246). singingwatervineyards.com.

STONE HOUSE VINEYARD

Valentine’s Dinner
Sip on a glass of champagne or wine while enjoying every bite of a four-course French-inspired meal. Feb 13 at 7. $75. Reservations recommended.
1215 Janice Ln, Spicewood (512-264-3630). stonehousevineyard.com.

TEXAS HILLS VINEYARD

Annual Valentine Dinner at the Winery
Reserve a spot at this intimate vineyard and indulge in a four-course meal with delicious wine pairings. Feb 6 & 13 at 7. $75 (per person, plus tax and gratuity). Reservations recommended.
878 Ranch Rd 2766, Johnson City (830-868-2321). texashillsvineyard.com.

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY WINE TRAIL

Wine Lovers Trail
Pick up a box of locally made chocolates and take a self-guided tour through 25 Hill Country wineries, sipping and noshing along the way. Feb 5–7 & 12–14. $35 per person, $60 per couple.
Multiple locations (866-621-9463). texaswinetrail.com.