This is our story, what's yours?
Just four miles north of Marktplatz, our vineyard and tasting room are built on dreams, faith, and community. This holiday season, come share the spirit with us—enjoy fabulous wines, incredible food, and our Giving Tree supporting local families in need. Please plan to join us for our Christmas Party on Praise Sunday, December 14th from 2-4PM.
Come taste, break bread, share conversation savor the story and the wine
This holiday season Fredericksburg City Lifestyle would like to thank our readers, advertisers and community for supporting local. In this issue we encourage the giving spirit as an experience; whether you are gifting a way to share memories with loved ones or friends, it is important to take pride in our local culture filled with small and innovative businesses shaping our region in a myriad of ways.
In every issue we strive to focus on our locals and give our readers an opportunity to learn more about the beauty and fun in our own backyards. We welcome Jonathan Card of Card & Company Architects. Jonathan brings a new vision with his keen eye and design ideas to our area while also keeping historical heritage alive in his design.
Our Sommelier writer Andre Boada imparts some champagne knowledge to send us all off into toasting the new year ahead. Our recipe writer JeriLynne Clifford imparts a homemade way to gift a tasty treat this holiday season. Additionally, we have Covington Cellars sharing their nibbles with sips; as wine is always better with food.
Our cover photo was taken at SDS (Slaughter Design Studio) with designer Amy Slaughter's Visla pups Hank and Honey at her historic home/place of business originally built in the mid-1800s. The decorative holiday wreath was designed by Glashaus Floral Design.
While supporting local businesses this season consider your gift origins and experiences; perhaps a donation in someone's name might be the best option for someone who already has everything. Keeping it local is a way to support our communities vibrant growth. We encourage you to support our community by shopping and visiting locals.
A very happy holiday season to you all....
KIMBERLY GILES, PUBLISHER
December 2025
PUBLISHER
Kimberly Giles | Kimberly.Giles@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Brent Ryan Burgess | brent.burgess@citylifestyle.com
STAFF WRITER
Andre Boada | Andre@vinocadre.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Sallie Lewis | sallielewis@gmail.com
Amie Nemec | travelingwinelady@mac.com
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
Proverbs 3:5-6
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
Friends gathered this past October for the Fredericksburg City Lifestyle's Launch Party. Our "Food & Wine Issue" was a success. Chef Odom hosted at her location, The Harvey, while Adega Vinho and Michael Ros Winery poured Texas wine. 1: Carrie Bang, Leslie Washburne and Clare Davenport 2: Reagan Schmidt and Ada Broussard 3: Amy Tucker and Erika Caputo 4: Teri and Gilbert Gonzalez 5: Steve and Joslin Eager of Eager Plumbing and Water Systems 6: Melissa Whatley - Whatley Wines, Elena Bilger - Adega Vinho, Rosann Mitrione - Michael Ros Winery 7: Elena Bilger of Adega Vinho
As the festive season approaches, our thoughts often turn to finding the perfect gifts for loved ones. While traditional presents are always appreciated, why not consider a gift that offers lasting beauty, comfort and functionality? Window treatments make the perfect gift, offering elevated style, enhanced comfort and ambience, with a personal touch.
This holiday season, move beyond the ordinary, and consider a gift that truly transforms a living space. Give the gift of new window treatments - a present that combines practicality with elegance, offering comfort, style and lasting joy for years to come.
Contact Kerrville Window Fashions for a consultation and discover the endless possibilities for creating a truly memorable gift!
Hill Country Animal Rescue (formerly Hill Country SPCA) is the Texas Hill Country’s largest no-kill animal shelter. Its mission is to give every pet in the Hill Country the best life possible through successful rescue, adoption, community relationships, awareness and advocacy. They are always looking for volunteers and donations to help with this mission. Visit them online at hillcountryanimalrescue.org .
The Grace Center exists to stop the cycle of domestic violence. Serving the Fredericksburg area, The Grace Center provides services to anyone affected by domestic violence, including shelter to those who need it. Schatze Haus is a resale boutique that raises funds for The Grace Center and is located at 712 W. Main St. in Fredericksburg. The Grace Center can be reached at 830-307-3383, or online at TheGraceCenterFBG.org .
Hill Country Community Needs Council coordinates 28 programs to assist children, families and the elderly in the Fredericksburg area. Services include crisis assistance, counseling, financial assistance and supplies for children and families. Call the Needs Council at 830997-9756 or visit them online for a full description of services at NeedsCouncil.org
Winery offers best in seasonal food and wine pairings
Covington Cellars is cooking up unforgettable culinary experiences with seasonal ingredients to capture the heart of the Texas Hill Country this holiday season. The philosophy at Covington Cellars centers around creativity and craftsmanship, in both the cellar and the kitchen.
Leading the culinary program is Chef Briana Fuchs, whose background in fine dining and wine pairings brings depth to every dish. Her menu celebrates fresh, seasonal ingredients designed to complement each glass. Working closely with the winery’s sommeliers, she fine tunes each pairing, ensuring a perfect flavor alignment.
Whether it’s a sparkling, white, or red, each wine is partnered with a small bite created to enhance the flavors of both food and grape. Guests can enjoy a rotating lineup of delightful treats to highlight the beauty of each pairing.
nal ingredients to perfe
ARTICLE BY AMIE NEMEC
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMIE NEMEC AND TORI TRULOVE-BUTLER
The seasonal menu might feature a fresh Mediterranean dip, savory Wagyu beef meatballs, melty baked ricotta with roasted garden tomatoes or chilled deviled eggs with an unexpected bacon jam. Something new, fresh and surprising is always offered. Each recipe is thoughtfully developed and showcases innovation while holding respect for tradition. And Covington offers more than your basic charcuterie board with their commitment to scratch-made bites. For something a little lighter, the wine, cheese and chocolate pairings offer a relaxed indulgence.
These experiences at Covington Cellars make the perfect gift for any food and wine enthusiast, and gift certificates are available. A private VIP room is available for seating up to 12 people, making for an elevated experience for a work or family holiday outing.
When looking for a lovely experience of food and wine to add to the holiday, take some time to relax at Covington Cellars and treat yourself to the gift of hospitality.
Covington Cellars is located at 8262 US Highway 290 in Hye, Texas.
e v e n t s + g a t h e r i n g s
This holiday season is an opportunity to give and support locals with lasting moments that foster connection with friends and loved ones. This season we encourage you to give a lasting gift that can be shared any time of year with our seasonal picks.
Certified Yoga Instructor Alison Pounds offers community classes, private instruction and special events in Fredericksburg. Alison is passionate about creating spaces for all people to experience freedom and healing within their bodies. She offers gift certificates and packages for all ages, from beginner to advanced level, who wish to engage in her yoga discipline.
For more information, please contact her directly.
alisonpoundsyoga@gmail.com 423-295-5294
Year-round rain or shine, treat yourself, friends or loved ones to a fully immersive animal interaction complete with education, touching and understanding the beauty of Asian elephants, giraffes, wallabies, kangaroos and more. Experiences highlight the need for animal conservation in all species because contact creates awareness and concern for future generations.
www.visitthepreserve.com 830-992-0373
Camille Cohn has established two studio spaces on Llano St. that will inspire all minds in a shared creative pursuit for all ages. Classes include an array of options from painting, clay, leather working and silver-smithing. Private parties are available as well as after school camps and kid classes; and there are drop-in hours each week. The Yellow Door Art Studio invites all to find their inspiration and creativity all while sharing time together.
www.theyellowdoorstudio.com 830-456-1097
Please check their website for hours and times to book an experience. This is a wonderful way to share an indelible moment with your loved ones and friends. Friends of the Preserve is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit created to support the educational community outreach programs of the preserve. If you would like to make a charitable donation in your name or the name of a loved one, do so by contacting them directly or by becoming a sponsor.
Jonathan Card brings architectural expertise to the Hill Country
ARTICLE BY SALLIE LEWIS
PHOTOGRAPHY SUBMITTED BY CARD & COMPANY
Jonathan Card’s journey to architecture is as nuanced and layered as the buildings he designs. The Houston-born architect and founder of Card & Company, who manages offices in both San Antonio and Fredericksburg, grew up in Midland, where his interest in residential architecture first sparked.
“When I see our buildings, I see our clients, because each one is tailored to them,” (Jonathan Card) explained.
“I had a lot of friends with great houses there,” he said of his West Texas roots. “I was also very spatially oriented and artistic as a child.” After the family moved to Fort Stockton, where he graduated from high school, he enrolled at Baylor University with the intention of studying law.
Midway through freshmen year, however, he pivoted plans. “It was kind of a calling,” he remembered. “I was happy at Baylor but disgruntled going back to school without a clear idea." Over the Christmas holiday, Card connected with an old friend who verbalized the young student’s deep-rooted design aspirations saying, “You should be an architect!” An epiphany he says he still remembers “clear as day.”
Lubbock, and more broadly West Texas where he’d made many memories with his family growing up, felt like a land of opportunity, after living in Midland and Fort Stockton. By the end of winter break, he’d left Waco in his rear view and set his sights on the architecture program at Texas Tech University.
Over the next twenty years, Card worked in earnest, beginning at firms in Lubbock before joining the team at Lake | Flato in San Antonio in 1998. He stayed at the latter for almost a decade, designing high-end residences and accruing experience, including helping master plan the city’s Historic Pearl Brewery.
Later, he founded an architecture firm called Urbanist Design, but in 2015, life led him to Austin’s award-winning practice, Clayton & Little (now Clayton Korte), where he worked as Director of Design while opening their San Antonio office. Among his projects there, Card assisted in master planning Fredericksburg’s Albert Hotel, a job that invigorated his interest in the Texas Hill Country.
The proverbial winds turned again, however, on a fortuitous weekend trip to his client, the H.E. Butt Foundation’s family camp, in Kerrville. There, he met the leadership team planning the Foundation’s imminent expansion to San Antonio. For Card, that encounter felt like a crossing stars opportunity, and
after careful consideration, he decided to once again open his own studio.
Since 2017, Card & Company has worked closely with the H.E. Butt Foundation on its capital improvement programs, including camp sites and the development of a striking San Antonio office on Sunset Road. The latter boasts a dramatic roof canopy that stretches over the street front entrance, connecting two community buildings. A timber-framed office wing borders a courtyard flowering with native plants, and inside, sunlight dapples through the lobby skylights, clerestories, and studio windows, as if sifting through trees.
Along the way, the company has solidified its reputation as an avatar among San Antonio’s new wave of architecture firms. Today, their design team of seven oversees a blend of both commercial and residential projects, along with adaptive reuse, and master planning work.
Most recently, in April 2025, the architect opened a second studio in Fredericksburg, lured by the opportunities out west. So far, their projects range from custom, high end residential work at places like Boot Ranch and Hye Springs Ranch to builder level projects and ranch compounds, with an appetite to build upon the firm’s portfolio of food, beverage, and hospitality gigs, given the rich eco-system of wineries, breweries, and distilleries in the area.
When it comes to aesthetics, Card is careful not to pigeonhole himself. While he leans into local materials like native wood and stone, along with sustainable elements such as rainwater collection systems and thoughtful solar orientation, ultimately, his firm takes pride in its collaborative, people-driven approach. Understanding each client’s personality and priorities is par for the Card & Company course. “When I see our buildings, I
When it comes to aesthetics, Card is careful not to pigeonhole himself. While he leans into local materials like native wood and stone, along with sustainable elements such as rainwater collection systems and thoughtful solar orientation, ultimately, his firm takes pride in its collaborative, people-driven approach.
Understanding each client’s personality and priorities is par for the Card & Company course.
“When I see our buildings, I see our clients, because each one is tailored to them,” he explained.
“Our process is for people that want something bespoke, and our expertise, but they want to be a part of it too.”
Settle in among the vines on the 290 Wine Trail and taste why Covington Cellars is a Hill Country favorite.
Chef-crafted dishes. Nationally acclaimed wines. Unforgettable views.
Perfect for a weekend escape, a gathering with friends, or your next private event.
Today, their design team of seven oversees a blend of both commercial and residential projects, along with adaptive reuse, and master planning work.
see our clients, because each one is tailored to them,” he explained. “Our process is for people that want something bespoke, and our expertise, but they want to be a part of it too.”
Though he rarely has time for it, the father of four is also a trained singer, and enjoys singing in his spare time, something he’s done for years not only with the church choir but at university chorales, and swanky San Antonio haunts such as Bohanan’s steakhouse and Jazz, TX. Albeit different in nature, Card says there are numerous analogies between the built world and his vocal vocation. Like architecture, singing involves learnedness and a dedication to study, along with soul and passion. At some point, however, “you put all the notes away and it comes from here,” he said smiling, motioning to his heart. “That’s where I am with design now too.”
While Card & Company Architects' team of architects, interior architects, designers, and collaborators is rooted in San Antonio and Fredericksburg, you will find their projects all around Texas and elsewhere. Through context based architecture, purposeful space making, and crafted details, Card and Company creates a legacy of value for their clients that will endure for future generations.
Card & Company Architects San Antonio location is 401 E. Houston St., Suite 400, San Antonio, TX, 78205. Their Fredericksburg location is 150 East Main Street, Suite 203, Fredericksburg, TX in the Chase Bank building. Contact Card and Company Architects by phone at 210-201-6393, or email hola@cardand-company.com. Visit Card & Company Architects online at Card-and-Company.com
SOMM PICKS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY
'Tis the season to raise the bar of delightful decadence by exploring curated sparkling wine expressions! Sommeliers travel the world to gather an ideal trifecta of artisan-crafted expressions that unleash the highest standard and pedigree. Here is the best of the best, offering exceptional value for “WOWZA!” quality.
Here are some common abbreviations on Champagne labels that most consumers overlook. The RM listed below is recommended for unique artisan expressions found in Champagne.
RM (Récoltant-Manipulant): A "grower" producer who uses at least 95% of their own grapes.
NM (Négociant-Manipulant): A Champagne house that buys grapes from growers and blends them to create its own wine.
Champagne Paul Dethune “Grand Cru Brut” Nonvintage, Ambonnay – France This vigneron (grower-producer) hails from Ambonnay, a small village that is one of seventeen villages classified as part of the “Grand Cru” designation. Known for Pinot Noir, five of the seven hectares farmed are that grape, with the remaining two hectares, Chardonnay. The family heritage runs deep with seven generations as growers, and now two generations as Champagne producers.
the price tag. Ten years of aging, organic, dosage zero and farmed to perfection, it offers the highest guarantee from the Italian government with a DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita, which translates to Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin) labeling.
Expect hedonistic perfection with accents from oak aging. A blend of 82% Chardonnay, 3% Pinot Blanc and 15% Pinot Noir, this bubble masterpiece is tongue-tingling on the entry and devilishly complex on the finish.
gather an ideal trifecta of artisan-crafted expressions that unleash the highest standard and pedigree.
The cépage (blend) is chosen according to the “terroir”, to the juice yield and to the blend of the wine. This is a non-vintage, multi-year cuvée consisting of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. The base wine is aged for three years, yet it packs a heavy reserve component of 40% estate wines dating back over 30 years. That alone gives this wine spellbinding complexity. You seriously can't go wrong with any Champagne from this producer, but this Grand Cru Brut offers the best value.
2015 Ca’del Bosco “Annamaria Clementi” Franciacorta Risera, Lombardy, Italy -There is a secret sparkling term in the somm world that merits a mention: “Franciacorta”. If you are seeking the highest pedigree of Italian sparkling, look no further than Lombardy in Northern Italy & Franciacorta. This wine sizzles with the finesse of true Champagne, but without
Boschendal “Brut Rosé” Non-vintage, Method Cap Classique, Stellenbosch, South Africa - A final recommendation is a wild card using two traditional grapes – Chardonnay & Pinot Noir, normally found in sparkling wines. The third, a red grape, Pinotage, creates a unique offering that South Africans sing and dance over. Pinotage, indigenous to South Africa, is a cross-pollination of Pinot Noir and Cinsault. By adding Pinotage to the blend, it finds a place in the heart that drives a high personality marriage with pure spellbinding complexity.
The term “Method Cap Classique” is only used in South Africa and represents the traditional method of winemaking found in Champagne. It requires the second fermentation to be done in the bottle (trapping the Co2 into the wine for effervescence) with extended aging before release.
This wine is light in color for a rosé yet phenomenal in taste. Clean & crisp in style with a prettiness that perseveres through an eminently elegant finish. This sparkling wine is the lowest-priced of these recommendations, so be sure to treat yourself by swirling this beauty in a stem.
All are limited in production and quite difficult to source. There is, however, a local Fredericksburg sparkling wine & caviar lounge that has over 80 offerings with most available by-the-glass. Six Twists Sparkling is located within the Elk & Main Complex at 425 East Main Street. These wines are sold there with a 15% discount on bottles to go. Cheers to all, and Happy Holidays from your local sommelier!
Andre Boada is a sommelier & founder of VinoCadre.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JERILYNNE
CLIFFORD
ingredients:
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1 pound pecan halves, approximately four cups
directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a heavy saucepan, add the unsalted butter and place over medium high heat. As it melts, the solids will start to brown. Turn the heat to low, add the maple syrup and stir until dissolved. Add salt, ground black pepper, cayenne and rosemary. Once combined, add the pecan halves.
Pour the nut mixture into a shallow pan, spreading nuts in a single layer. Place them in oven and watch, shaking every five minutes. This takes about 15 minutes.
Remove from the oven and serve warm or, once cooled, package for gift giving.
JeriLynne Clifford is founder and owner of Hill Country Bon Vivant. Her cookbook is titled "The Vineyard Table: Cooking, Wine and Stories of Hospitality."
A luscious holiday cocktail with warming spices, rich texture, and a beautiful cinnamon garnish.
• 2 oz dark or spiced rum
• 3/4 oz cinnamon simple syrup
• 1 oz heavy cream
• 1 whole egg
• Dash of ground nutmeg
• Dash of vanilla extract
Garnish: cinnamon stick and a light dusting of nutmeg or cinnamon
Make Cinnamon Simple Syrup:
Combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, and 2 cinnamon sticks in a saucepan. Simmer for 10 mins, let cool, and strain. Store in the fridge.
Add rum, cinnamon syrup, cream, egg, vanilla, and a pinch of nutmeg to a shaker. Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds to emulsify the egg. Strain into a coupe or stemmed glass like the one in your photo. Top with a cinnamon stick across the rim and a dusting of nutmeg or cinnamon. Optional: Add 1/2 oz chilled espresso for a coffee kick.
A bright, elegant cocktail with a foamy top and a hint of holiday spirit.
INSTRUCTIONS:
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• 3/4 oz lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 1 egg white
Optional: splash of sparkling water or club soda
Garnish: fresh rosemary or thyme sprig
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, cranberry juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white. Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds to create the frothy top. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass to get that smooth, foamy top. Add a small splash of sparkling water if you’d like a bit of fizz. Gently place a sprig of rosemary or thyme on top of the foam.
Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply treating yourself, these holiday drinks are guaranteed to bring a little extra cheer to your cup.
Filled with all the flavors to complement a cozy holiday gathering or a quiet evening at the fireplace, the S’mores Espresso Martini will sweeten up your season.
ingredients:
• 2 oz. - Salvation Spirits Vodka
• 2 oz. - Cold Brewed Espresso
• 0.5 oz. - Crème De Cacao
• 0.75 oz. - Roasted marshmallow & Graham cracker simple syrup
• 1 Dash Aztec Cocoa Bitters
• 2 Dashes Vanilla
directions:
Shake all ingredients on ice. Double strain and garnish with a roasted marshmallow skewer.
The Speakeasy at Salvation Spirits Distillery is located at 10091 US Highway 290, Fredericksburg, TX.
Sun-Thurs 12-5PM Fri 11AM-5PM Sat 11AM-7PM
DECEMBER 2025
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
DECEMBER 5TH
Light the Night
Christmas Parade
Downtown Fredericksburg | 6:30 PM
The annual Light the Night Christmas Parade will kickoff at 6:30 p.m. the first Friday of December and travel from Washington St. to Bowie St. The traditional small-town parade is hosted by Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce.
DECEMBER 9TH
John WM Klein Room, 115 N. Crockett St., Fredericksburg, TX | 5:30 PM
Hosted by City of Fredericksburg, registered guests can participate in the 2nd annual Gingerbread House Decorating Competition. Ages 5-12 may participate. All supplies will be provided and judges will award winners. Participants must register at fbgtx.org.
DECEMBER 12TH
Hangar Hotel Airport Conference Center, 155 Airport Rd., Fredericksburg, TX | 6:00 PM
The annual semi-formal Tannenbaum Ball is a fundraiser to support Gillespie County Historical Society and Pioneer Museum. The event will include music by Groove Knight, a silent auction and dinner by Vivere Catering.
