Houston Boot Company Acquires Texas Hill Country 'Wine Castle'

Republic Boot Co. expands into winery and hotel business with purchase of 290 Wine Castle property.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 12:31pm

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Houston-based boot company Republic Boot Co. has acquired a 12-acre property in Johnson City, Texas that includes a 6,545-square-foot castle, a vineyard, and a 14-room hotel. The property, previously known as 290 Wine Castle, will be renamed Republic Wine Castle and continue operating as a winery and hotel under Republic's ownership.

Why it matters

Republic Boot Co.'s acquisition of the Texas Hill Country 'Wine Castle' property represents an expansion of the company beyond its core boot-making business into the hospitality and wine industries. This move aligns with the growing popularity of the Texas Hill Country as a wine tourism destination, often referred to as the 'Napa Valley of the South'.

The details

The 12-acre property features a 6,545-square-foot castle with a dungeon, cigar room, and 'unique private turret rooms.' The castle previously operated as 290 Wine Castle, a winery and hotel. Republic Boot Co. CEO Chris Conrad says the company plans to continue running the winery and hotel, while remodeling the castle's interior and focusing on Texas-made products and live music.

  • The 290 Wine Castle property opened in 2019.
  • Republic Boot Co. announced the acquisition of the property in January 2026.

The players

Republic Boot Co.

A Houston-based boot company that is expanding into the winery and hotel business with the acquisition of the Texas Hill Country 'Wine Castle' property.

Chris Conrad

The CEO of Republic Boot Co. who says the company plans to continue operating the winery and hotel while remodeling the castle's interior and focusing on Texas-made products and live music.

290 Wine Castle

The previous name of the 12-acre property in Johnson City, Texas that includes a 6,545-square-foot castle, a vineyard, and a 14-room hotel.

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What they’re saying

“It's pretty bold; at first you're like, 'What are they doing?' But when you think about it, this really fits our brand and what we are going after, which is celebrating Texas and everything it has to offer.”

— Chris Conrad, CEO, Republic Boot Co. (Houston Business Journal)

“You can have your private tastings while trying charcuterie boards or tasting Texas hams. It's going to be an overall high-end experience. You can listen to live music. And Texas products will be at the center of everything we do.”

— Chris Conrad, CEO, Republic Boot Co. (Houston Business Journal)

What’s next

Republic Boot Co. plans to remodel the castle's interior while continuing to operate the winery and hotel, with a focus on Texas-made products and live music.

The takeaway

Republic Boot Co.'s acquisition of the Texas Hill Country 'Wine Castle' property represents the company's strategic expansion beyond its core boot-making business and into the growing wine tourism industry in the region, which has been dubbed the 'Napa Valley of the South'.