Fredericksburg, TX March 2026

FOOD + BEVERAGE

WILLIAM CHRIS VINEYARDS BRINGS HOME GOLD

HOME + DESIGN

AMY SLAUGHTER OF SDS IS REDEFINING HOME DESIGN

FIRE DEPARTMENT HEROES STAND GUARD FOR OUR PROPERTIES LOCAL SERVICES

Welcome to Spring!

This March we are thrilled to feature some of our area’s best in our "HOME" issue. This month's cover we featured our hometown "heroes" who protect our community, our homes and our ranches with selfless dedication and commitment.

Brent Burgess, our cover photographer and writer for this piece, shared some perspectives with our community on their importance.  As weather can be highly unpredictable and drought conditions can raise fire dangers, we applaud our fire department for keeping us safe and informed.

We also are excited to feature one of our founding partners, Amy Slaughter of Slaughter Design Studio. Amy has an amazingly talented team who re-envision home spaces alongside her clients to bring about the best version of their homes for their owners.

Writer Andre Boada captures some important details for our wine region as international recognition was garnered by Willliam Chris Vineyards - thank you for bringing our wine region into international focus and bringing the "gold" home.

Another favorite feature is written by Amy Tucker, our go-to expert for all things in art and culture.  This issue Amy focuses on bringing art inside the home with Cara Hines of MixHaus Gallery in Comfort.  She offers perspective on how art in all media formats is an important way for you to enjoy a piece and to admire it in your home.

We are very grateful to our readers and our advertisers for investing in Fredericksburg City Lifestyle magazine. Thank you for your ongoing support!

Kindly,

KIMBERLY GILES, PUBLISHER

@FREDERICKSBURG_CITYLIFESTYLE

March 2026

PUBLISHER

Kimberly Giles | Kimberly.Giles@citylifestyle.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Brent Burgess | brent.burgess@citylifestyle.com

STAFF WRITERS

Amy Tucker | amy@gurldesign.com

Amie Nemec | Travelingwinelady@mac.com

Andre Boada | Andre@vinocadre.com

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad

LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas

TURNING DREAMS INTO LIFELONG INVESTMENTS

inside the issue

Design

Tyler Lassiter (left), Avery Goehmann and Jonathan Wilson of Fredericksburg Fire/EMS are three of

Fredericksburg

Cara Hines

William

Whatley Wines is more than a vineyard—it’s a story of dreams and faith. From restoring an 1860s homestead at Melissa’s Farmstead and a Disabled Veterans Hall to nurturing vineyards and crafting wines with meaning, every sip connects you to our journey. Come taste, break bread, share conversation, and savor the story.

ARTICLE BY AMIE NEMEC

PERFECTING YourHOME

Design team listens first, then creates your space

Homeowners can be hesitant to hire an interior designer. Perhaps they fear the services are purely aesthetic and frivolous. Or they might feel concerned the process will take too long and cost too much. A designer might completely take over with their own style and preferences. Not to mention, home design television shows often reveal drama and frustration in designing, or redesigning, a home. These concerns can create anxiety for a homeowner seeking design expertise.

Amy Slaughter and Slaughter Design Studio (SDS) put these fears to rest. The elegantly renovated century-old limestone cottage on Llano Street provides a workspace ensuring clients feel welcome and at home. It is clear from the first interaction with the design team, SDS is at another level.

DISCOVERING DESIGN

Growing up in a military family meant frequent moves, which fostered Slaughter’s ability to adapt. Slaughter’s mom sold real estate while she attended high school. She recalls sitting at open houses, looking around the spaces and dreaming up ways to make it better. Slaughter shares, “That’s kind of how I got started, and I’ve just loved it ever since. It’s fun for me to see how similarly we all live, but then the differences that make us unique.”

During college at Utah State University, she dabbled in art and furniture history, which solidified her draw to interior design. After college, Slaughter worked for 12 years in Utah gaining valuable design experience and honing her project management skills while traveling across the country to help clients.

After visiting dear friends in Fredericksburg, her family felt drawn to the quaint Hill Country town.

“We wanted a place that was smaller, where we could be involved in our kids’ upbringing, that still had kind of a tourist economy,” Slaughter said. “We felt like that was familiar and kind of the basis of my career. I felt I could start on my own with that.” So, in 2005, Fredericksburg felt like the perfect hometown.

DESIGN IN FREDERICKSBURG

It has been 20 years since that move and the start of SDS from a desk in the Slaughter home. Her business growth included a studio space she rented from a friend, then a move to an office space in the Chase Bank building downtown. Ultimately, she settled into a country-style home and began refurbishing the structure to create a welcoming place to encourage creativity for Slaughter and her staff.

A visitor to the SDS business location will find themselves entering a Hill Country historic home beautifully converted into a cozy and welcoming space, where the SDS team is ready to visit about each client’s specific needs.

The limestone structure underwent several additions, including a Victorian front, complete with an entrance lintel dated 1865. Over the years, the home was turned into the offices for KTBC-TV, which was the radio and cable television company owned by Lyndon B. Johnson’s family in the mid-1900s.

Eventually, ownership changed and the historic building housed a couple of communication businesses. It then sat vacant

"It’s fun for me to see how similarly we all live, but then the differences that make us unique.”

- Amy Slaughter

by Michael Hunter

for several years and Slaughter recalls, “It was really, really in dire need of a remodel… and I loved the idea that I could kind of put my style and my name on this and redo it myself.”

Her personal touches are now seen throughout the home. During renovations, a large cottonwood tree was damaging the limestone wall corner and the tree had to come down. Slaughter creatively had a beautiful conference table made from the tree, and this is where her clients now sit to discuss their own design needs.

Slaughter’s approach to design includes a multi-step process which she explains, “It’s broken down into research, design development, procurement and installation. Everyone will go through a kind of relationship-building process where we really get to know you and what you want out of your project.”

With over 32 years working in design, Slaughter has discovered the best way to help her clients is listening. SDS asks clients, for example, to share photos of inspiration, what is important to them - a special piece of art, a collection, a prized possession or a piece of furniture.

These images can reveal a pattern of taste and then shape the project's vision. A style type is never assumed. Customization is the key. The team creates a tactile presentation to show the client how the feel of the space is interpreted. This can include a printed floor plan, a fabric swatch, a tile square, photos of fixtures, sketches and more.

While it is hugely beneficial to engage a designer at the early stages of building a new home, SDS can also improve existing spaces to better suit a way of life. And sometimes, a designer can improve just a small area or room that just isn’t quite perfect. One current project tasked the team with converting a large pantry into a beautiful coffee bar where the clients could share their mornings together.

Whatever the client is trying to accomplish in their space, Slaughter says, “We really do try to handle all the details so that our clients can go back to their day-today life and not have to worry about their project.”

"Everyone will go through a kind of relationshipbuilding process where we really get to know you and what you want out of your project.”

- Amy Slaughter

Amy Slaughter can’t imagine a better hometown, where she can support local businesses by working with craftsmen and artisans to build custom furniture, cabinetry, fixtures or even create a special piece of art.

Her further involvement in the community also includes volunteering on Fredericksburg's Historic Review Board, animal rescue, and Arcadia Recovery Collaboration, an organization helping victims of the recent devastating Hill Country floods.

When asked what makes Fredericksburg home for her family, Slaughter reflected, “We love all the boutique businesses. We love that it’s quiet at night. We love the sense of community. And we love how understated people like to live. I feel like people move here because they can kind of exhale. It’s not high-pressure living.”

These are some of the same reasons we all call Fredericksburg Home.

Slaughter Design Studio is located at 711 N. Llano Street. Visit SDS online at  slaughterdesignstudio.com . Call SDS at 830-307-3397.

Sun-Thurs 12-5PM Fri 11AM-5PM

The Art of the View

Home and Property Guardians

Fredericksburg Fire & EMS stand strong to protect us

Gillespie County’s homes and surrounding areas have felt the fear of natural disasters in recent years. Wildfires, hailstorms, high winds and, most recently, devastating floods have all taken their toll. But the steady guard of our local fire and EMS (Emergency Medical Services) teams keep our homes safe and us feeling a little more secure when these dangers show up.

Gillespie County fire departments operate in collaboration to protect the county, as well as nearby neighbors. These protective branches include City of Fredericksburg Fire & EMS, Fredericksburg Volunteer Fire Department, Doss Volunteer Fire Department, Harper Volunteer Fire Department & EMS, Tierra Linda Volunteer Fire Department and Willow City Fire and Rescue.

Chiefs from each of these departments meet regularly to determine certain fire dangers, discuss prevention plans, including burn bans, and participate in training operations.

Fredericksburg Fire Chief Lynn Bizzell shared about the many staff and volunteers serving for City of Fredericksburg.

“We currently (Fredericksburg Fire/EMS) have a total of 38 full-time people and about 30 volunteers,” Bizzell shared. “And we work hard with all the county departments. If something major comes in, we have automatic aid with those departments.”

Bizzell has seen his team of local heroes jump into action within several national headlining events such as the Crabapple Fire in 2025, the Big Sky Wildfire in 2022 and the July 4th Guadalupe River floods in 2025.

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY

BRENT RYAN BURGESS

“The July 4th floods were real challenging. We had to go help our neighbors out next door in Kerr County,” Bizzell shared about the tragic and unexpected raging waters that occurred along the Guadalupe River in July 2025, demanding intense rescue efforts from our local emergency response teams.

According to Bizzell, these disasters put our local fire and EMS heroes to the test as they must remain available to assist in ongoing smaller disasters even when these large-scale events take place.

One of the exceptional qualities of our Gillespie County and Fredericksburg emergency services personnel is they are all qualified in both fire and EMS certification.

“We’re fortunate to have all that because they do serve dual roles,” Bizzell shared. “If we get a fire, as an example, an ambulance will come in with the fire truck, and those two who are on the ambulance will actually get out, put their bunker gear on, and go fight fire

with the other crews that are coming on the engine.”

These dual certifications give our hometown heroes the best chance at saving lives and saving our homes.

Bizzell also is quick to give recognition to the people at Gillespie County’s dispatch team who often put in long hours when disasters occur, such as the record-setting Texas freeze in February 2021. Dispatch plays a crucial role in quick and efficient action for all emergency responders.

When reflecting on our homes and our beautiful land in the Texas Hill Country, may our local firemen and first responders be honored as the exceptional and brave folk who keep our families safe, and our Hill Country homes beautiful. They put not only their lives on the line, but their physical and mental health as well.

“The individual (emergency responder) goes from a dead sleep to total exertion in a matter of minutes.

That can be mentally challenging,” Bizzell reminds us.

Thank you to all the area’s firefighters and medical response teams for what they risk every day to protect our homes and our loved ones.

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AT HOME WITH ART

CARA HINES ON LIVING WITH STORY, ENERGY AND HUMAN EXPRESSION

For Cara Hines, art is something to live with; something that carries energy, memory and human presence into the spaces people inhabit every day.

Hines, an artist, owner of MixHaus Gallery and co-owner of the historic Hotel Giles in Comfort, approaches art not as decoration, but as an active participant in daily life. Her curatorial philosophy centers on work that feels physically and emotionally present, art that occupies a room the way another person might.

“I’m drawn to artwork that feels like you’re in the room with it,” Hines said. “Even if it’s two-dimensional, it feels object-like. It has texture. It feels raw. It feels made by a person’s hands.”

That sensibility guided the rebranding of her gallery, formerly Studio Comfort Texas. When her business partner stepped away, Hines said she took time to reconsider not only the business itself, but the emotional environment she wanted to create.

“I knew I needed to retool it and focus,” She said. “I asked myself what excites me and what I want my daily life to feel like.”

The answer became MixHaus, a name that reflects her commitment to mixed-media work, her interest in blending people and idea, and Comfort’s German heritage. But the “mix,” she said, extends beyond materials. “It’s not just mixed media,” Hines said. “It’s mixing people together, mixing ideas and presenting things in a way that makes people look differently.”

That philosophy carries seamlessly into Hotel Giles, where contemporary artwork lives within a carefully restored 19th-century building. The hotel functions as a domestic environment rather than a gallery, allowing guests to experience art as part of their daily rhythms rather than as something formally encountered.

“People aren’t used to seeing fine contemporary artwork in a historic hotel,” Hines said. “It surprises them, but it also makes the space feel more grounded and more welcoming.”

Hines believes original artwork brings a distinct sense of presence into a space, something that subtly shapes how a room feels and how people respond to it. For her, art carries the imprint of the person who made it, and that human touch adds a depth that goes beyond visual appeal. “There’s something about artwork made by a person’s hands that brings life to a space,” she expressed.

That sense of life often becomes evident once art enters a home. Collectors frequently send photographs of newly installed pieces, describing how thoughtfully they’ve chosen where the work will live. “They’ll say, ‘This is where I’m going to have my coffee in the morning,’ or ‘This is the first thing I’ll see when I wake up,’” Hines said. “It becomes a daily touch point. It elevates their experience of their space.”

As a gallerist, Hines sees her role less as directing taste and more as offering reassurance, especially to those who feel uncertain about trusting their instincts.

“My job is often to give people permission to choose something purely because they love it,” she said. “Joy is one of the greatest gifts you can give the world.”

That permission is closely tied to storytelling. At MixHaus, artists’ stories are shared alongside their work, creating a human connection that many visitors did not realize they were seeking. Or as Hines states it, “People connect to the artist’s story. That human element is missing from a lot of our lives now. Art creates space for that connection.”

Across her roles as artist, gallerist and host, Hines said a single thread runs through everything she does: a belief in the importance of authentic human expression.

“Authentic human expression is really vital to the well-being of people,” she stated. “Whether it’s the artist’s story or the viewer’s story mixing with it, art creates a safe place for that exchange.”

For Hines, bringing art into the home is an invitation — an opening toward connection, reflection and meaning. While art can function as decoration, she believes its deeper value lies in its ability to foster dialogue and reflect the lives of the people who live with it.

“Art can be decoration, and that’s fine,” She said. “But it can also be a gateway into something deeper, into connection, into story, into yourself.”

MixHaus Gallery is in Comfort, Texas at 716 High Street. If interested in booking the space for an event, gathering or retreat, call the gallery at 830-995-3750. Visit the gallery online at mixhausgallery.com.

Cara Hines, MixHaus Gallery and Hotel Giles can be found on social media by the following handles:

@CaraHines

@mixhausgallery

@hotel_giles_comfort

“I’M DRAWN TO ARTWORK THAT FEELS LIKE YOU’RE IN THE ROOM WITH IT,” HINES SAID.

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WILLIAM CHRIS Brings INTERNATIONAL WINE AWARD Home

Gilelspie County winery keeps it Texas, keeps it home

ARTICLE BY ANDRE BOADA

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WILLIAM CHRIS VINEYARDS

“Hear Ye – Hear Ye”, good people of Texas, there’s a movement in the wine industry where Texas is getting recognized as a top region destination of the world. Yes, indeed, the world ! And leading the charge is a white knight with sword drawn named William Chris Vineyards.

William Chris Vineyards, founded in 2008 with its first release, was a vision of two men, William “Bill” Blackmon and Chris Brundrett. Bill came from farming and vineyard development, whereas Chris was a derivative of winemaking and marketing. Together they have amassed an intricate network of prized vineyard sites and slowly fine-tuned perfection from grape to glass.

Chris Brundett, co-founder of William Chris, states about the winery’s vision, “Texas wine has hit an inflection point. We’ve passed the conversation of ‘can we?’ and squarely (landed) into ‘this is who we are.’ The opportunity right now is to build something tasting-rooted in our land, our people and within the hospitality culture that’s distinctly Texan but respected everywhere.”

Fast forward to present day with Texas having over 15,000 acres of established vineyards, and a never-ending onslaught of new vintners (450+) trying to make their mark in the industry. Texas wineries have finally found success with major wine publications showcasing high praise.

This praise and recognition reflect true Texas grit. Texans are proud, and through the efforts of many, vineyards have matured, precision winemaking standards have excelled and warm Texas hospitality shines. It’s perfecta, proving that hard work and determination create success.

To double down on all the press chatter, a sommelier’s mission might be to explore the ever-expanding arena of Texas Hill Country wineries. Having tried over 100 Texas wines in the last month,

Texans should be proud of current releases and the quality found around the state.

But hold up, it gets even better. Texas wine bandwidth is expanding around the US and can be found on retail and restaurant wine lists outside of Texas, a true mark that sommeliers are brilliantly uplifting the efforts of Texas.

Back to William Chris Vineyard, the Hye-based winery, located just off US Highway 290, reflects an exquisite open-air design with an array of tasting spaces overlooking a unique Texas courtyard setting. Once there, one is surrounded by trees and vineyards for an ideal ambiance. Inside, guests discover clever private parlors that sing in Texas heritage, married with professional staff well-versed in sommelier training.

Wines at William Chris Vineyards are 100% Texas and they are a long-standing ambassador of that fact. Wonderfully, their efforts reflect true Texas flavor versus many of the competitors who blend in California grapes. This vinos icon is proving against all odds that Texas deserves attention around the world. A feat that makes wine enthusiasts want to check their pulse in disbelief. This sommelier suggests, “Snag some William Chris Vineyard stat.”

When visiting William Chris, consider educational tasting flights. By-the-glass options and bottles are available, and they also offer exceptional on-site experiences paired with food and wine. Wine club memberships are offered and recommended as a sommelier. Children and pets are welcome on their property.

HOURS OF OPERATION:

Thursday through Saturday – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

William Chris Vineyards is located at 10352 US-290, Hye, TX 78635

Call  830-998-7654 for reservations. The William Chris Vineyard tasting room and property features a historic Hill Country Home, an elegant event space, beautiful sunset views of the vineyard and a 400-yearold Oak Tree grove with picnic table seating. Live music is featured on weekends and a complete calendar of events can be found at williamchriswines.com.

Andre Boada is a sommelier & founder of VinoCadre.

Sommelier pick:

2025 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Double Gold – Top of Class – William Chris Vineyard 2022 Cabernet Franc, Dell Valley, Texas, $65.

Saddle up, folks! This unbridled, run-for-the-roses Texas thoroughbred is racy and expressive, showcasing unique Dell Valley characteristics. It won me over during my judging at San Antonio Rodeo - International and exceeded all my expectations regarding my crush on the Cabernet Franc varietal. I’m talking full "Fatal Attraction" style crush, bordering on manic. You may need counseling if you get your hands on this one.

MARCH 2026

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

MARCH 7TH

Pioneer Memorial Library’s First Saturday Sidewalk Sale

115 W. Main St., Fredericksburg, TX 78624 | 9:00 AM

The monthly sidewalk sale hosted by Pioneer Memorial Library provides an opportunity for book lovers to shop fiction, non-fiction, cookbooks and kids books at bargain prices. This monthly event takes place every first Saturday throughout 2026. For more information, call PML at 830-997-6513.

MARCH 14TH

Luckenbach Outlaw Half Marathon, 10k & 5k

412 Luckenbach Town Loop, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 | 7:00 AM

Luckenbach Texas hosts its 11th annual Outlaw Half Marathon, 10k and 5k on March 14. Runners will gather at the legendary live music and laidback hangout to run Hill Country back roads. The running event is renowned for its fun after party with live music, beer and snacks. Register at: runsignup .com/Race/TX/Fredericksburg/ OutlawHalfMarathonand5K

MARCH 14TH

Hill Country Herb Garden Restaurant Cocktail Class

405 Whitney St., Fredericksburg, TX 78624 | 5:00 PM

Let an expert bartender from Hill Country Herb Garden Restaurant guide you through a fun evening of instruction on Spring season cocktails. Guests will learn how to craft an Espresso Martini and a Blue Hawaiian in the Herb Garden’s fun environment. Reservations are $65 and seats are limited. Go to  hillcountryherbgarden.com to register.

THE AMERICAN SPIRIT.

Celebrate 250 years of the American Spirit with Garrison Brothers Bourbon. Every red, white, and blue wax-dipped bottle is a toast to freedom and a tribute to all American heroes. Scan to support Boot Campaign and give back to those who’ve given so much.