Spring marks the advent of wine festivals in Texas. Kick off the season at the oldest wine festival in Central Texas during the weekend of Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29, and you’ll find the Village of Salado filled with folks sipping wine, browsing art and nibbling on the best at the Seventh Annual Texas Wine and Rogue Art Fest.

Celebrate spring by attending the biggest wine festival between Austin and Grapevine.

Twenty wineries and vine-yards pouring all varieties of Texas wine, alongside 40 booths featuring art, delectable foods, and handmade goodies. The festival is set on the grounds of Salado Wine Seller on North Main Street.

The Texas Wine & Rogue Art Fest will feature wineries from Florence, Waco and Meridian, as well as Poteet, Burleson, Marble Falls, Dallas and Houston. With over 95 wines to sample, there is something for everyone.

“I am looking forward to trying the Cabernet Sauvignons, Tempranillos and Vermentinos, while other folks prefer the fruit wines and the sweeter styles,” said June Ritterbusch, festival organizer and owner of Salado Winery and Salado Wine Seller.

There will also be several ports and a couple of sparkling wines. These wines will pair well with the truffles being sold by Wiseman House Chocolates and the handmade cheese from Texas Cheese House.

“In a Pickle” is back this year with their intriguing pickled specialties along with “In Hog Heaven” who specializes in pork sandwiches like, “Pignic Sandwich” a fried bologna sandwich. Foodies will also enjoy biscotti from EMA Baking Company and olive oils from Spicewood Food Company.

Next door to the festival, St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church of Salado will be holding their second Annual Art Show as well. The parishioners of St. Joseph’s wanted to help promote local artists so they have assembled their own art celebration.  Their art will include handcrafts such as recycled hand-painted flower pots, name jewelry and homemade goodies like coconut granola.  The youth group will be selling hot dogs and lemonade.

Naturally there will be music to add to the beautiful setting at Salado Winery and Salado Wine Seller. This year there will be more than ever before as in more tents, more wines, more music and more food.

The full list of participants is available at www.saladowinefestival.com.

“I wanted to attract a different type of artist, so I named it ‘Rogue’ as in the artists are goin’ rogue,” Ritterbusch goes on to explain, “We are always searching for unusual artists and this year we have found some. These Texas wineries are rogue entrepreneurs as well, and I think all the wine and art folks are going to create a great experience.”

This year, the most rogue artist is likely to be Kristy Dexter whose business is named “KristysKrap”, and her work includes blinged out animal skulls.

Admission is free and $10 buys six wine tasting tickets and souvenir glass.  Additional wine tasting tickets will be available.