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We Are the Heart of Texas

Oct 7
6 min read

Pour Decisions at Feral Housewife Wine. Our community sang loud, laughed louder, and made some excellent pour decisions. Meet the woman behind the wine, Nikki, in this month's spotlight below. 🍷

Queer people have always lived here.


In Dripping Springs. In the Hill Country. In the small towns, cedar breaks, and front porches of Central Texas. They raised families here, built businesses here, loved and grieved here, and made lives here. Often quietly. Often without recognition. Always with roots.


This October, as we celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, we’re remembering that queer history isn’t something that only happened somewhere else, in big cities or in the lives of people whose names made it into books. It happened here, too.


It belongs to the people who grew up on these roads and the people who found their way here. To those who stayed, those who left, and those who came back. To generations who found each other, built community, and kept going.


Five years ago, PODS grew from that same ground. Founded in this community, by this community, for this community.


We aren’t asking to belong to Texas. We are Texas.


We are the Hill Country, with all its beauty and contradictions. We are neighbors, families, friends, business owners, teachers, artists, volunteers, and people simply trying to make a good life in the place we call home.

Home is where the heart is. And here we are, right in the heart of Texas.


Let’s keep making that heart big enough for all of us. 🌈

Mark Your Calendars



Oct 17, 2026, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM

4107 Nixon Ln, 4107 Nixon Ln, Austin, TX 78725


A laid-back morning cheering on the Austin Gay Flag Football League, a fun, welcoming scene with folks bringing dogs, kids, and family to watch. The carpool leaves Belterra Village at 8:00 AM. Bring a camp chair and your own beverages; we'll have some water on site.

RSVP: PrideOfDrippingSprings.org/events.


🗳️  Early Voting

When: October 19 through 30 · Election Day is Tuesday, November 3

Where: Find your polling location at VoteTexas.gov

Voting by mail? Your application must be received by October 23.

Dates to know: National Coming Out Day (Oct 11), Spirit Day, wear purple (Oct 15), International Pronouns Day (Oct 21), Intersex Awareness Day (Oct 26).

🏪 Business Spotlight

Feral Housewife Wine

Feral Housewife Wine started the way a lot of good ideas do, with someone who was exhausted. After our Pour Decisions karaoke night there in August, we asked owner Nikki to tell us more. Read the full interview below!

📍 11190 Circle Dr, Bldg 2, Ste 208, Austin (same building as the Art Garage)

🌐 feralhousewifewine.com · @feralhousewifewine

📚 Resource Spotlight

Out Youth

Coming out looks different for everyone, and nobody should have to figure it out alone. Out Youth in Austin offers LGBTQIA+ young people a safe place to be themselves, with support, programs, and community. If you're a young person, or you love one, they're a good place to start.

📞 Austin, TX

🌐 outyouth.org


Community Spotlight: Feral Housewife Wine



MEET NIKKI OF FERAL HOUSEWIFE WINE 🍷


How did Feral Housewife Wine get started? What's the origin story?

I have been a nurse practitioner for 9 years and a nurse for 18 years. During the pandemic I was exhausted and wanting to do something on the fun, creative side. I have a love of wine and decided that I would like to open my own wine tasting room with my own brand of Texas wines. There are very few female-owned wineries and I would like to change that. The name comes from my pandemic career aspirations, I was tired and wanting to be a feral housewife. So that's what I decided to call this new passion project of mine.


What makes your space feel different from a typical wine bar?

Our wine bar is a more laid-back, relaxed vibe. I call it “feminine industrial.” The walls are a rosy pink with black cabinets and gold accents. We are accepting of all wine lovers whether it be newbies or experienced winos with advanced palates. We have something for everyone and are willing to talk wine with anyone regardless of experience level. All of our wines are from 100% Texas-grown grapes and we have everything from sweet wines all the way to deep, dark, dry reds. Also I'm frequently told that we make the best frosés!


What's your favorite part about being in the Dripping Springs area specifically?

I love being in Dripping Springs/SW Austin because I myself live here. I've been in Dripping Springs for 2.5 years and before that was in SW Austin for 14 years. This is a wonderful community and we have some great locals that come in frequently to support us. There's only a few wineries in Dripping Springs and I am glad to add another one with my own feral flair and feminine energy.


Any recommendations for someone visiting for the first time? What should they order or ask for?

For first timers my first question is always what kind of wines do you like? Sweet or dry? Red, white, or blush? My recommendations also vary depending on the time of year because I know for me personally, the types of wine that I like to drink depend heavily on the weather. I usually recommend getting a flight first because you can choose any 3 wines for a two ounce pour of each that allows you to taste different wines so you can see the varieties that we offer. We typically carry something for every palate. If it is super hot in the dead of the summer Texas heat, I will often give people a taste of the frosé and that is usually a hit.


What made you want to partner with us on our recent event?

We were very excited to partner with the Pride of Dripping Springs group and I think we had just as much fun as the patrons that night! Pride and the LGBTQ community has always had a special place in my heart and is one of the groups I love to advocate for. We would love to do more partnerships with your group in the future!


Anything new coming up this fall? New releases, events, or hours changes?

Yes! We have quite a few exciting new wines/events on the horizon! Our next wine club pickup date happened Saturday, October 3rd. We have a brand new Ruby Cab that we are releasing for that shipment and it is delicious! It is a deep, dark purple, full-bodied red that I think will be my new favorite for fall/winter. We also have a new white wine coming that is a crisp, refreshing white wine called Vermentino that should be out later this fall. In December we have an amazing Merlot coming as well as a few single barrel reds that were aged in bourbon barrels. I have had a sneak-peek taste of these and I cannot wait! We also have our vintner coming out for our December wine club weekend that is going to bring a taste of these premium single barrel wines for people to try! That will be a ticketed event that comes with a steak pairing and where Brian (our vintner) will be pouring pairings of these wines and talk about the process of making them.


Anything you'd want our community to know about you that we haven't asked?

We love doing events and are more than willing to host large groups or even private tastings. We are also very casual and love having walk-ins and interacting with locals as well as tourists! Come see us!

BANNED BOOKS WEEK 📚


Banned Books Week runs October 4 to 10, and this year's theme is Let Books Be: Protect the Freedom to Read. It hits close to home. Nearly 2,200 books are being pushed for removal from Texas school libraries, and the list is heavily focused on LGBTQ+ titles.


If a banned or challenged book ever helped you feel less alone, you know why they matter. Read one. Lend one to a friend. Learn what's on the list. And if you feel called to speak up, reach out to your state representatives at wrm.capitol.texas.gov.

📚 Our banned book list: PrideOfDrippingSprings.org/pods-reads


Have a banned or challenged book that meant something to you? Send us your recommendations. We're always adding to the list.

Want to learn more about becoming a Volunteer or Friend with Pride?


With Pride & Gratitude,


Pride of Dripping Springs 🌈


 
 
 

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