Category: Resort news

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa is ideal off-grid destination for group activities

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in scenic Sonora, Texas. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, a hidden gem in picturesque West Texas is set amidst 13,000 acres deep in Texas Hill Country. The serene location allows visitors to relax, connect and enjoy the pure unfiltered beauty and peace of Sonora. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2021)   

JL Bar offers guests the best of Texas with warm southern hospitality, unparalleled service, and one-of-a-kind experiences. With over 30,000 square feet of unique indoor and outdoor meeting and event space and a private FBO airport, JL Bar is the ideal space for meetings, corporate events, incentive groups, and more.  

  • Location: Situated in Sonora, TX, a short drive from Austin, San Antonio and Dallas/Fort Worth areas, the property offers the best of both Texas Hill Country and West Texas. Guests can also arrive into  The JL Bar Ranch and Resort Full Service Fixed Base Operator (FBO) Airport, via privately chartered jet or personally owned aircraft.
  • Luxury Cabins & Cottages: JL Bar Ranch boasts 16 standalone luxury cabins and 16 spacious guest rooms with premium amenities, as well as the exclusive Archer’s Nest Villa, a six-bedroom villa that accommodates up to 12 guests and has a private swimming pool, outdoor kitchen, and a full home theatre.   
  • Meetings and Event Spaces: With more than 30,000 square feet of meeting and event spaces on property, companies have their pick of nine locations while they build morale and team spirit. The airport hangar doubles as an event space capable of holding over 1,200 people, and there are also more intimate meeting room locations that are perfect for breakout sessions and collaborative team building/grouping. 
  • Group Adventures: Groups will never need to leave the property, from a full equestrian program featuring horseback riding and a horse psychology experience to off-road ATV adventures, a Putting/Chipping Green, weekend yoga, wine tasting, Cowboy Cookouts and clay and skeet shooting, JL Bar Ranch can craft an exceptional itinerary with on-property activities and incentives for groups to enjoy.
JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa offers meeting and events spaces. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

Pinks on the Patio at La Cantera Resort & Spa

Pinks on the Patio benefits Wings and moves to Friday nights in October. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Pinks on the Patio at La Cantera Resort & Spa is moving to Friday this year with themed events to Play up your Pink from 6p.m. to 9p.m. at Sire Bar on Plaza Saba. Pink is the symbolic color of breast cancer awareness as it symbolizes good health and playfulness. (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2021)

Every Friday Evening, October 1-29, during the month of October, the La Cantera Family will be raising its glasses – and donations – to the efforts and actions of WINGS. Since its inception in 2017, Pinks on the Patio at La Cantera Resort has donated more than $21,000 to WINGS from the overall resort wide donation initiatives.

Pinks on the Patio themed Fridays will feature either live music or DJ Celina from 6p.m. to 9p.m. and cocktail and wine specials along with tasty snacks. Two dollars from each drink special will go back to WINGS. Resort beverage partners include Belvedere, Whispering Angel Rose, Rock Angel Rose, Moët Chandon, and Western Son Vodka.

Loma de Vida Spa & Wellness, Signature Restaurant and SweetFire Kitchen will all have Pink menu options to benefit the charity. Landscaping on Plaza San Saba just off the resort’s main lobby will have a rosy hue at dusk, as Pink LED lights bring focus to the Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Every Friday during the Month of October from 6p.m. to 9p.m.

October 1 All Things Pink, Anything Goes
October 8 Pink Lipstick – matted, frosted or glossy
October 15 Pink Hats ─ fascinators, chapeaus, any head embellishment with a Pink hue
October 22 Fifty Shades of Pink! ─ scarves and feather boas
October 29 Pink Masquerade ─ feathered, rhinestone or lace

Free ticketed event up to four (4) tickets per transaction at SquadUp, search Pinks on the Patio. Landscaping will cast a pink glow nightly through October.

La Cantera Resort & Spa – Plaza San Saba patio at Sire Bar
16641 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500

WINGS mission is to bridge the gap between diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, providing comprehensive breast health services to women in Central and South Texas who are uninsured – because everyone deserves a lifetime.

Key Strengths
• WINGS is the only program of its kind in the country providing this kind of support for women with breast cancer.
• Provided support to over 900 South Texas women with breast cancer.
• Provided over $12 Million in healthcare services to women with breast cancer.
• Over 95 percent of the women treated through WINGS are still living, because of the program.
• Since its inception in 1999, WINGS has seen five-year survival rates for the women it serves increase from zero (untreated breast cancer) to 100 percent for Stage I disease.
• Received the Guidestar Gold Seal demonstrating a commitment to transparency.
• Maintains an efficiency rating of 94 percent, which is above that of the average nonprofit organization.

Landscaping at La Cantera Resort & Spa will cast a pink glow nightly through October. Photo: La Cantera Resort & Spa, used with permission.

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa offers exclusive Texas Hill Country adventure getaways

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in Sonora, Texas. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

As summer gives way to fall and people continue to seek off-grid, outdoor-driven escapes, the picturesque JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa brings adventure at every turn with an array of activities, ranging from horseback riding and UTV off-roading to intimate group wine tastings. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2021)

Activities include:

  • Seven-day Schedule & Sips at MV Brew: The 13,000-acre resort is now accessible seven days a week for overnight guests seeking an immersive extended stay that captures the West Texas Lifestyle. New for overnight guests in August 2021, JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa opened MV Brew Coffee House, which proudly serves Starbucks Coffee alongside daily fresh- made pastries, grab and go snacks, and refreshments exclusively to JL Bar Resort Guests. The coffee house is named after resort owner James Archer’s MV2 Entertainment Company in Nashville and offers indoor seating and ample outdoor space to enjoy a fresh cup o’ joe, the closest of its kind within an 80-mile radius.
  • A Family Affair at Archer’s Nest, the resort’s private villa: Following a recent upgrade, the private and luxurious Archer’s Nest Villa now boasts seven bedrooms that accommodates up to fourteen guests in addition to a private oasis swimming pool, large pool house with fully equipped kitchen, and a full home theatre room. The grand accommodation is the ideal destination for family reunions and small groups. 
  • JL Bar Takes Flight: As one of the leading point-to-point getaway destinations with its Full-Service Fixed Base Operator (FBO) Airport , the resort’s private airport offers an abundance of amenities that are rare for a private airstrip (especially at a resort), including a 5300’ x 80’ asphalt top runway and facilities capable of handling a variety of aircraft from a single engine Cessna to a Gulfstream 650, hangar space for multiple jets, crew and passenger lounges, single point or over-wing fuel, in-flight dining from the resort’s private chef, and more. JL Bar Ranch & Resort Airport provides FAA certified weather, minimal air traffic in the immediate area, and is one of the most efficient for refueling cross-country flights. While some guests may choose the few-hour drive to Sonora, TX, cross-country travelers looking to refuel and recharge for the night, aviation enthusiasts, and luxury travelers looking for a seamless getaway experience can arrive via privately chartered jet or personally owned aircraft.
  • Harvest Season Wine Excursions: The luxury resort and working ranch now offer a new all-inclusive day trip excursion to Fredericksburg, inclusive of transportation, a local wine tasting and lunch, and shopping along Fredericksburg’s iconic Main Street. For on-property wine experiences, Sommelier and Equine Experts Jon Joseph and Sydney Beique host wine tastings and have curated an extensive wine list to pair with the resort’s culinary offerings.
  • On the Hunt: As entrusted stewards of the land, the ranch manages the property to be productive for during the fall hunting season while conserving and nurturing vital habitat for wild game—orchestrating a harmonious balance between wild game and domestic livestock on the property, with horseback riding and a Horse Psychology Experience alongside world-class guided hunting excursions.

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa’s summer sendoff event

Labor Day weekend activities include a Wine Weekend Extravaganza and live music. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

Labor Day Weekend is right around the corner, and JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa is offering an exciting Wine Weekend Extravaganza alongside family-friendly activities for the whole family to enjoy as we say goodbye to summer. From a live concert to special wine tasting and dining options, the 5-day event will close out summer on a high note. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2021)

Across the resort’s 13,000 sprawling acres in the heart of Texas Hill Country, guests will be able to take part in— 

  • Wine Down Weekend: The three-night wine event centers around Jackson Family Wines, featuring exclusive tastings of the Cardinale, Lokoya, and Spire Collections in addition to meet and greets with the Jackson Family. Seasoned winemaker Chris Carpenter will be onsite to lead wine pairings with JL Bar’s exclusive dinners.
  • Music & Memories: On Saturday, September 4, rising Country/Americana artist William Beckmann will perform a private live concert at JL Bar’s Private FBO Hangar for the resort’s overnight guests.
  • Firework Food: JL Bar’s Chef Sergio has curated special menus for the weekend to pair seamlessly with select vintages of the Jackson Family Wines.
  • Make it an Extra-Long Weekend: The stunning Hill Country resort is offering an exclusive Labor Day package rate for couples ($4,995+) and individuals (3,295+), which allows visitors to take advantage of the resort’s fourth night free offer for those who would like to extend and arrive on Wednesday, September 1. Pricing includes all meals, pre-scheduled wine events, and a table for the William Beckmann concert. Holiday stays can be booked by calling 855-414-3337 or visiting JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa.
  • Hill Country Adventures: On top of all the holiday activities, the resort will be offering outdoor experiences including horseback riding and a horse psychology experience, off-road ATV adventures, a Putting/Chipping Green, and swimming. Guests can also partake in the resort’s Labor Day Weekend clay pigeon shooting contest for a chance to win a prize.  
William Beckmann – In The Dark

End of Summer pool party at La Cantera Resort & Spa

The End of Summer pool party will include Vegas style showgirls, showmen, and complimentary small bites and toast at sunset. Photo: La Cantera Resort & Spa, used with permission.

An End of Summer Soirée, “Viva La Cantera” pool party at Topaz, presented by La Cantera Resort & Spa, will take place Thursday September 2 from 7p.m. to 11p.m. La Cantera Resort & Spa will donate a portion of the proceeds to Spurs Give, the official nonprofit of Spurs Sports and Entertainment. Sip on summer-inspired cocktails and relish in small bites with unrivaled views of the Texas Hill Country as backdrop. At sunset, enjoy a complimentary toast courtesy of Moët & Chandon. (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2021)

There will be Vegas style showgirls, showmen, and tunes by DJ Celina and guests are encouraged to come dressed in white chic attire. Event partners are Dillard’s at The Shops at La Cantera, Dior at Dillard’s, Land Rover of San Antonio, Spurs Give, Belvedere, and Moët & Chandon.

Tickets are $150 per person and guests must be 21 and over; ID required. For a limited time use promo code “sunkissed” for $50 off the admission price. Resort guests will simply present their room key at the registration desk to receive their wrist bands. Stay the night with a two ticket package that includes a one-night stay, double occupancy, resort fees and tax for $450. To purchase tickets or make reservations, visit La Cantera Resort . Tickets are non-refundable. In the event of inclement weather, ticket will be honored for a future event based on availability.

Thursday, September 2, 7p.m. to 11p.m.

  • 7p.m. – doors open, complimentary cocktail from Belvedere
  • 7p.m. to 8p.m. – complimentary small bites
  • 8:30p.m. – sunset toast courtesy of Moët & Chandon
  • 9p.m. – let the party begin! 21 and over only

La Cantera Resort & Spa
16641 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500

Celebrate National Aviation Day with JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa has a private airstrip for cross-country travelers. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

Airports are busier, planes are filling up, and everything associated with travel is starting to show signs of recovery after a difficult year. Now is the time to get out and spread your wings again – even more so with National Aviation Day, August 19, just around the corner. To skip the crowded airports, plan a point-to-point getaway on your personal plane or privately charter their aircraft and land at JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2021)  

JL Bar Ranch, Resort, and Spa—a 32-room boutique resort in Texas Hill Country with standalone accommodations on the sprawling 13,000-acre property—makes small-scale travel even more exclusive and easy with The JL Bar Ranch and Resort Full Service Fixed Base Operator (FBO) Airport . JL Bar’s airport contains an abundance of amenities that are rare for a private airstrip, including a 5300’ x 80’ asphalt top runway, space for multiple jets, crew and passenger lounges, single point or over the wing fuel, in-flight dining from the resort’s private chef and so much more. To provide a safe operational environment for operators and guests flying in, The JL Bar Ranch and Resort Airport provides FAA certified weather from its AWOS weather reporting system. While some guests may choose the few-hour drive to Sonora, TX, cross-country travelers looking to refuel and recharge for the night, aviation enthusiasts, and luxury travelers looking for a point-to-point getaway experience can arrive via private jet or personal airplane. In addition to the private FBO, The JL Bar Ranch offers the following accommodations and activities for guests—  

  • Luxury Cabins & Cottages: JL Bar Ranch boasts sixteen standalone luxury cabins and sixteen spacious guest rooms with premium amenities, as well as the exclusive Archer’s Nest Villa, a six-bedroom villa that accommodates up to twelve guests and has a private swimming pool, outdoor kitchen, and a full home theatre.   
  • Summer Concerts:The resort is offering an intimate alternative to major concerts as music fanatics ease their way back into concert-going. The next scheduled performer is William Beckmann for the Labor Day Weekend Wine Extravaganza, with additional ongoing private concerts at the resort throughout the year.   
  • Hill Country Adventures: From a full equestrian program featuring horseback riding and a horse psychology experience to off-road ATV adventures, a Putting/Chipping Green, weekend yoga, wine tasting, and clay and skeet shooting, JL Bar Ranch’s slew of activities and programming highlight the best of West Texas culture and scenery.   
  • Cowboy Cookout: The culinary team at JL Bar Ranch has designed a decadent and interactive dining experience with its new Cowboy Cookout. Guests can take in the Texas Hill Country views with a horseback ride to the property’s cookout camp, enjoy cocktails and snacks as the culinary team prepares a lavish steak dinner, and relax to country music while soaking in the magnificent sunset.  
Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa offers guests West Texas weekend activities

Guests traveling to the area for the annual Sutton County Days will find many more West Texas activities available at JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

This Friday August 13 – Saturday August 14, families can embrace their inner cowboy/cowgirl by attending Texas Hill Country’s annual Sutton County Days, which invites locals and visitors to enjoy the 49th annual Sonora Outlaw Rodeo, BBQ Cookoff with 10 awards categories, a festive parade for the whole family, fair, and more. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2021)

For those traveling to the area for the festivities, the nearby JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa offers guests the opportunity to round out their West Texas weekend with its own outdoor activities, luxe accommodations, cookouts, and more—

  • Luxury Cabins & Cottages: JL Bar Ranch boasts 16 standalone luxury cabins and 16 spacious guest rooms with premium amenities, as well as the exclusive Archer’s Nest Villa, a six-bedroom villa that accommodates up to 12 guests and has a private swimming pool, outdoor kitchen, and a full home theatre. 
  • Hill Country Adventures: From a full equestrian program featuring horseback riding and a horse psychology experience to off-road ATV adventures, a Putting/Chipping Green, weekend yoga, wine tasting, and clay and skeet shooting, JL Bar Ranch’s slew of activities and programming showcase the best of West Texas culture and scenery. 
  • Cowboy Cookout: The culinary team at JL Bar Ranch has designed a decadent and interactive dining experience with its new Cowboy Cookout. Guests can take in the Texas Hill Country views with a horseback ride to the property’s cookout camp, enjoy cocktails and snacks as the culinary team prepares a lavish steak dinner, and relax to country music while soaking in the magnificent sunset. 
  • Private Jet and Airplane Access: For those flying in for the weekend, JL Bar Ranch offers direct landing for private jets and personal planes via its private Fixed Base Operator (FBO) private hangar, making it even easier to hop over to Sonora for the festive weekend.

Two-step back into concert going mode at JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa

The beautiful JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in the heart of Texas Hill Country. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

This year, concerts are coming back in full force with new events like Stagecoach and national tours being announced weekly. For those who are excited to return to concerts but are not quite ready to commit to a sold-out stadium, JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in the heart of Texas Hill Country is offering a more intimate and distanced approach to concerts this year. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2021) 

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa—a 32-accommodation retreat on 13,000 acres in the heart of West Texas—has deep roots in country music and draws top talent to perform on its multiple indoor-outdoor “stages,” which include a private Fixed Base Operator (FBO) airport hangar and the resort’s sprawling main lawn. The resort is offering an intimate alternative to major concerts as music fanatics ease their way back into concert-going, with recent concerts featuring Shenandoah and Radney Foster. Most concerts are accessible both to locals and overnight guests and are offered either on the resort’s main lawn or in the spacious FBO airport hangar, with VIP tables featuring dinner and cocktails available for each event. The next scheduled concert is Labor Day Weekend, with additional ongoing private concerts at the resort throughout the year.  

For those enjoying a concert in tandem with an overnight stay, guests can embrace the West Texas lifestyle with horseback riding, cowboy cookouts, ATV adventures, trail and bike riding, archery, and more.  

 

JL Bar Ranch, Resort and Spa’s Texas Hill Country wine weekend getaways

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa offers exclusive Texas Hill Country wine weekend getaways. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

With over 50 unique and visually stunning wineries scattered throughout the region, there is somewhere new to explore and fall in love with around every bend in Texas Wine Country. Also known as Texas Hill Country, Texas’ growing wine region is one of the most visited wine destinations in the United States and is the fifth largest wine-producing state in the country. Now, visitors can experience the heart of Texas Hill Country and a taste of its terroir with JL Bar Ranch Resort & Spa’s exclusive wine programming and excursion. (JL Bar Ranch Resort & Spa, 2021)

Set on 13,000 acres in Sonora, Texas, JL Bar Ranch Resort & Spa offers unmatched luxury amidst the rolling hills of West Texas. The 32-room boutique resort is just a few hours’ drive (or a short flight on a private plane into JL Bar’s Private Airport FBO) and is perfect for travelers looking to relax and unwind with a glass of wine, with new wine-centric experiences. 

The resort has two renowned Sommeliers overseeing the resort’s wine program and tasting experiences and has recently launched a Fredericksburg Wine Tasting Experience for guests to enjoy a getaway stay that immerses them in all things Texas, with activities and amenities including:   

  • Fredericksburg Wine Excursion: The luxury resort and working ranch now offers new day-trip excursions that allows guests to experience the best of Texas Hill Country’s wine with a day trip to Fredericksburg that includes transportation, a local winetasting and lunch at Victoria Gimino Vineyard, shopping on Fredericksburg’s Main Street, and more.
  • Wine Tasting at JL Bar Ranch: “Drink:” By day, Sydney Beiqueand Jon Joseph lead JL bar Ranch’s equine program, but by night the couple lead the resort’s wine program as Level 2 and Level 1 Sommeliers, respectively. They have curated a wine list on property that is solely small-production wines. Their motto is “if you can buy it in a store, we won’t offer it on the ranch.” All are high-quality, thoughtfully selected wines, available both during meals and as a private wine tasting experience.  
  • Cowboy Cookout: The culinary team at JL Bar Ranch has designed a decadent and interactive social distancing-approved dining experience with its new Cowboy Cookout. Guests can take in the Texas Hill Country views with a horseback ride to the property’s cookout camp, enjoy cocktails and snacks as the culinary team prepares a lavish steak dinner, and relax to country music while soaking in the magnificent sunset.  
  • Hill Country Adventures: From a full equestrian program featuring horseback riding and a horse psychology experience to off-road ATV adventures, a Putting/Chipping Green, weekend yoga, wine tasting, and clay and skeet shooting, JL Bar Ranch’s slew of activities and programming take place primarily outside for the ultimate adventure.   

Celebrate Father’s Day at JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in Sonora, Tx. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Need some last minute Father’s Day gift ideas? Show Dad some love this Father’s Day and treat him to a weekend at the stunning, 13,000-acre JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in Sonora Texas. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2021)

Families can celebrate Dad with a gourmet brunch from JL Bar’s expert culinary team on Sunday, June 20, with two exclusive seatings between 10a.m. – 2p.m. (locals and day visitors can book, too). For $39.95 and $12.95 for children, guests and locals will be treated to a special menu of signatures dishes including Brisket Eggs Benedict, Southern Style Chicken Fried Steak, and Chef Carved Mesquite Smoked Rack of Pork. There will be two reservations on The Ranch from 10a.m. – 11:30a.m. and 12:30p.m. – 2p.m. with limited seating for both.  

For those lucky enough to stay for the weekend, there is an activity for every type of Father. From a full equestrian program featuring horseback riding and a horse psychology experience to off-road ATV adventures, a putting/chipping Green, and clay and skeet shooting, families will be able to make many memorable moments at JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa.