Wine Country w/ Pool, Pickleball + Dog Friendly

Whether you're craving an escape from the city to reconnect with nature, family, and friends, or want a great place to explore all the Texas Hill Country, you'll find it at historic, 68-acre Rancho de Vida. Rent the farmhouse alone (sleeps up to 7 people). Need more room? Rent the bunkhouse, too, and sleep another nine people for $50 more per person, per night. We welcome dogs, too for $25 per pooch, per night. Brand new 30-ft diameter pool with deck and chaise lounge chairs. The space Rancho de Vida relaxing starts when you turn your car into the gate of this 68-acre hill country ranch with a pool, creek and amazing hilltop views. This 110-plus year-old farmhouse, and newer bunkhouse, have been lovingly restored and burnished into a wonderful gathering place for friends & family. Texas Hill Country meets shabby chic in the shadow of a 400-year-old oak in the backyard. Dine under the canopy of the lighted oak, enjoy a campfire and gazing at the stars, and play pickleball in the Quonset hut pavilion (nets, paddles and balls provided). Hike Rancho de Vida's bluffs and creek beds, float in the seasonal limestone bottom creek, take in the sunshine and stars from the hammock, and tree swing. Laze in the modern 30-foot round "stock tank" pool, with deck, lounge chairs and ice chest to cool off and swim in. Beautiful hilltop area with an arbor and big seating area with chairs and benches. Roast marshmallows and tell tall tales by the stone fire pit. Enjoy the views across the valley and toast each sunset. There's even a stage for kids to do skits or hone their chops for the big time and a dance floor for boot scootin' to music under trees light up with patio lights. Many weddings and celebrations have been held here, HOWEVER, AirBNB NO LONGER PERMITS PARTIES & EVENTS to be booked through their website. If you are interested in a wedding or event, please find our Rancho de Vida website and contact us through there. Rancho de Vida is home to two very large longhorns, Willie and Waylon, who hang out in the large hay fields. They are wild animals, so please don't get in the field with them and their loooong horns. It is the Texas country and there are other wildlife and critters on the property...bugs, deer, foxes, spiders, scorpions, coyotes, a barn cat and snakes. Most of these are seen at much more than arm's length. Rancho de Vida is located right in the middle of the New Napa---at least fifty wineries are in a 20-minute drive. Historic Fredericksburg is a short drive, as is Luckenbach if you want to do some dancing to live music. Two state parks, both with water for swimming, and the LBJ National Park and the Western White House are within 15 minutes. Explore the park-like setting of bluffs and creek beds on our 68-acres and bike the quiet backroads that surround the property. Main house 1st-floor: kitchen-dining room, living room, master bedroom and bath. The second floor has two bedrooms and a half bath. One bedroom has one full-size bed and one queen bed, and the second bedroom has one queen bed. The air-conditioned and heated bunkhouse is an optional add-on (costs vary based on number of bunkhouse guests), and sleeps 9. A great bathhouse for all guests is adjacent to the bunkhouse. It has two showers, two toilets, two sinks, and plenty of getting-ready room for a hill country night out. We added a great solarium lounge in early 2024 between the bathhouse and bunkhouse for all guests to enjoy. Heated and cooled, it has floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows so you are immersed in nature while hanging out on a large sectional couch. The solarium has a 55" TV, a coffee bar, mini fridge, and Bluetooth speaker. Is your group larger than 16? We require that you let us know in advance if you have more than 16 guests for approval. Well-behaved, potty-trained dogs are welcome, but guests need to let us know, and pay, in advance. The pet fee is $25 per dog, per night. We do have a two-night minimum, and three-night minimum during spring break and on three-day holiday weekends. We do not rent to those who are under 25 years of age. Check us out on our Rancho de Vida website for more pictures and info. We can't list the URL here but it is easy to find. Ranch location & local attractions: Austin- 1 hour away San Antonio-1 hour away Johnson City--10 minutes Luckenbach-15 minutes Science Mill---interactive science museum for kids in Johnson City Marble Falls -boating & golf-- 20 minutes Enchanted Rock & Pedernales State Park-hiking 15 to 20 minutes Fredericksburg festivals & shopping--20 minutes Texas Hill Country Wine Trail---10 minutes LBJ National Historical Park--10 minutes Wine Tasting Tours: We are smack dab in the middle of the Texas Hill Country Wine Trail. There are now 60 plus wineries within 20 minutes of Rancho de Vida. Let us assist you in scheduling your wine country tour---limo services are available for you and your group. Recommend Heart of Texas Wine Tours for guided tours of the wineries: Great for groups and girlfriend weekends! For golfers, there's a great public course in nearby Blanco that comes recommended by one of our guests. The new Hill Country Science Mill is a great outing for kids and students of all ages. Taking an old mill in Johnson City in 2015, the Hill Country Science Mill is a family destination offering a fun, interactive learning environment for all ages. Through cutting-edge technology-based exhibits, games, and programs, the Science Mill expands students' understanding and appreciation of science in their everyday lives. By igniting their curiosity and inspiring them to pursue post-secondary education, the Science Mill experience starts students on the path to a life-long career in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Guest access The ranch is quiet and secluded with plenty of parking for guests.