Travel

Wine Country Weekends Meet Family Fun

Gastehaus Schmidt blends Fredericksburg vineyard adventures with kid-friendly vacation rentals Article by Caroline Heiberg | Photography by Photos provided by Gastehaus Schmidt While Fredericksburg may be the beating heart of Texas Wine Country, its vacation rentals are becoming a destination all of their own. Vineyard weekends cater to adults only, but a growing number of stays are designed with families in mind–complete with bunk rooms, pools and endless entertainment. Parents can slip away...

Arts + Culture

The Yellow Door

Inside Camille Cohn's studio, children build confidence through creative exploration Article by Amy Tucker | Photography by Ava Snoozy Step inside The Yellow Door Studio; paint, clay, fiber, paper mache and works in progress fill the room, but the real focus is not on the finished product. It is the child making it. The space is alive with color, movement and possibility.  At the center of it all is Camille Cohn, an artist and educator who has shaped her work around the belief that art is not...

Home + Design

Designing for Dogs

Dog baths, built-in beds and playful design details are turning everyday mudrooms into hardworking spaces for pets and people Article by Caroline Heiberg | Photography by Danielle Lochte Gone are the days of washing the dog in the driveway with a hose, or sacrificing the family bathroom only to watch one good shake send water across every surface. As dogs become increasingly integrated into family life, homeowners are carving out dedicated spaces designed around their needs.  Dog rooms are...

Travel

To Understand an Elephant

Learning through care, connection and conservation at The Preserve Article by Caroline Heiberg Many people understand the basic care required by dogs and cats. Grooming, vaccinations, nail trims and routine veterinary visits are familiar parts of pet ownership. Across the Texas Hill Country, residents may also know the needs of horses and livestock. Caring for an elephant, however, introduces an entirely different scale of responsibility. At The Preserve outside Fredericksburg, visitors...

Local Services

From Crisis to Coordination: Building an Animal Response Plan

What began as a flood response evolved into a long-term effort to create a coordinated disaster plan Article by Caroline Heiberg When floodwaters receded, Kerrville Pets Alive found itself doing work that continues after the visible emergency clears: helping animals stay safe and helping people keep the pets they love. During and after last year’s flood, the organization connected families with pet food, supplies, medical support, foster care and other resources while working alongside animal...

Shopping

The Wunder Years

During one family's hardest season, customers and friends help keep a children's boutique moving forward Article by Caroline Heiberg Unable to find an outfit for her son’s school pictures locally, Katherine Graham opened Liebeskind after seeing the need for a children’s clothing store in Fredericksburg. In 2018, Katherine and her mother, Kathleen, opened the boutique in the front room of her father’s office. Kathleen worked in the shop during the day while Katherine taught high school English...

Food + Beverage

The Wandering Winemaker

Inside the evolving career of Texas winemaker Claire Richardson Article by Amie Nemec | Photography by Erica Falbaum Claire Richardson doesn’t want to be known as a great female winemaker. She wants to be known as a great winemaker, period. In a Texas wine industry still evolving and expanding, her influence is becoming difficult to ignore. Winemaker Richardson’s path into wine began with a love of food, wine and travel, eventually leading her to William Chris Vineyards in 2018. There...

Travel

From Rome to Fredericksburg

An Italian restaurateur brings Roman hospitality, community and the spirit of home to Fredericksburg Article by Caroline Heiberg | Photography by Ava Snoozy Inside Bottega Salaria, Roman hospitality is a way of life. For owner Valerio Lombardozzi, the restaurant is not simply about serving Italian food in Fredericksburg, but recreating the atmosphere, connection and sense of community he grew up with outside Rome. From the menu and imported tile to the outdoor gathering spaces, nearly every...

Arts + Culture

Little Town, Big Art

An artful route through Hill Country galleries Article and Photography by Amy Tucker Rural areas are rarely associated with contemporary galleries or museum-level collections, yet some of the most significant art spaces are found far from major metropolises. Tucked into small towns and serene river communities, these Hill Country galleries and museums are bringing internationally recognized artists, major collections and ambitious exhibitions into unexpected corners of Central Texas. Those...

Event Planning + Services

A Wilder Gathering

Seasons event venue at The Preserve reimagines Hill Country gatherings Article by Caroline Heiberg | Photography by Danielle Lochte The drive from Fredericksburg into The Preserve feels like crossing into another ecosystem entirely. Cedar, oak and Hill Country brush give way to magnolia trees lining the entrance, their dense green canopies softening the landscape. Native to parts of Southeast Asia, the magnolias subtly signal a shift; southeast Asian elephants may be waiting to greet guests...