Treffen Hill Country March 29 – April 2, 2017 Hill Country Trails and Barbecue Thursday, March 30th Heading West through Austin, our first stop is the Texas Hill Country Olive Co. for a tour and tasting. Back on the trail, we’re driving the Rolling Hills of the Texas Hill Country past Wimberley. South of Wimberley is Purgatory – Purgatory Road to be exact – and don’t worry, nobody will get left behind. Take in historic Gruene as you make your way to the famous Black’s BBQ in Lockhart. The Black family has been actively serving the barbecue community for over three generations. Originally making a name for themselves at the Black's BBQ family- owned restaurant in Lockhart, Texas, you can now satisfy your carnivores' need to feed at several other locations Texas Hill Country Olive Company is family-owned, a collaboration between John Gambini, brother-in-law Rick Mensik, and his family, and John’s daughter, Cara Gambini . Passionate about what they do - the most awarded olive oil company in Texas – the orchard and visitors center is located in the beautiful and beloved "Texas Hill Country" of Dripping Springs, Texas. The company began in 2008 when John, and his brother-in-law Rick, bought 17 acres of land in the picturesque town of Dripping Springs, TX, with the idea of planting olive trees. Since day one the focus has been on preserving the natural beauty of the area while providing fresh locally produced extra virgin olive oil and other premium quality products. Come visit the Tuscan style tasting room. Sample the products before you buy at two olive oil & balsamic tasting bars. Discover the bistro and wine bar with a great selection of Texas wine. Take a minute to browse an ample array of gourmet products, cooking accessories and gifts. On May 26, 1999 House Resolution #1024 was adopted by the 76th Texas Legislature naming Lockhart the 'Barbecue Capital of Texas‘. Not to be outdone, the Texas Senate followed suit in the fall of 2003. ( please note how fast the legislative process moves!) No visit to Lockhart would be complete without eating BBQ at one of our 'World Famous' BBQ Restaurants! Black's Barbecue, is Texas' oldest major Chisholm Trail Barbecue serves up a tasty meal. The barbecue restaurant continuously owned by restaurant packs in a daily crowd made up mostly of locals and it too, has made the Texas Monthly list of Texas' best the same family. Find out why the Travel barbecue restaurants. Chisholm Trail Bar-BQ offers a Channel featured Black’s on their Barbecue large selection of salads and side dishes to go along with Paradise show and what's kept generations of the sausage, brisket, ribs, turkey chicken and fajitas. Texans coming back for more. Kreuz Market moved from its original location started Smitty's Market has been named one of the top five in 1900 by Charles Kreuz as a meat market and grocery barbecue restaurants in Texas by Texas Monthly store to its newer, expanded facility a quarter of a mile Magazine. Nina Schmidt Sells established Smitty's north of the old location in 1999. Along with the new Market in 1999 in the building that housed her father's building came some new items on the Kreuz menu, Kreuz Market for more than 50 years. The market sits most notably: pork spare ribs, beans, German potato in the same location where barbecue has been sold in salad, sauerkraut, and a new jalapeno cheese sausage, Lockhart since the turn of the last century. but don't look for any barbecue sauce or forks as they are still missing in action from Kreuz Market to this day! Texas Hill Country Olive Co. Fitzhugh Rd Bell Springs Rd Hwy 290 RR 12 Twisted X Brewery (landmark/no stop) Hyatt Regency FM 150 FM 3237 Wimberley RR 12 Hwy 32 Purgatory Rd Black’s BBQ Lockhart Hwy 306 Gruene Hill Country Trails and Barbecue Drive 170 miles, 3 hours, 36 minutes • Pit stop at Texas Hill Country Olive Co.; olive oil tasting & tour – 45 minutes • Scenic FM 150 & 3237 to Wimberley • Drive through Gruene (Consider optional stop ~ 45 minutes) • Lunch Stop at Black’s BBQ in Lockhart – 1 hour 30 minutes • Total time ~ 6 hours ( 6 hours, 45 min with optional stop in Gruene) .