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Pool, pickleball, gathering spaces in the wine country

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Relax and refresh at Rancho de Vida!
1906 farmhouse with bunkhouse to the left
The glass-enclosed Solarium overlooks the pool w/ bar, mini fridge & TV.
Solarium, second living area. Bunkhouse is accessed here as is the bathhouse.
Interior

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Laundry
  • Kitchen
NZ$908
avg per night

Explore the area

Map
Johnson City, TX
  • William Chris Vineyards
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Lyndon B. Johnson State Park
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Garrison Brothers Distillery
    ‪18 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 18)

Cowgirl Room

1 Double Bed and 1 Queen Bed

Cozy Cabin Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Optional Bunkhouse

+5
9 Single Bunk Beds

Queen

1 Queen Bed

Sunroom Day Bed

1 Single Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bunkhouse Bathhouse

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Farmhouse bath

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Outdoor shower

Soap · Towels provided · Shower only · Shampoo

Upstairs bath

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

Room

  • 260 sq m
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 18
  • 3 Queen Beds, 1 Double Bed, 9 Single Bunk Beds and 1 Single Bed
Price is NZ$908 avg per night,

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Back of pool facing house on right and bunkhouse on left

The Country Life Experience, Close to Distilleries, Wineries, and Wedding Venues

  • Pool
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Parking available
9.2 out of 10, 87 reviews
The price is NZ$163
avg per night
6 Jul - 10 Jul
The Country Life Experience, Close to Distilleries, Wineries, and Wedding Venues

About the area

Johnson City

Located in Johnson City, this farm stay is in a rural area. Texas Vintage Motorcycle Museum and Lyndon B. Johnson Boyhood Home are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at William Chris Vineyards and Bingham Family Vineyards Fredericksburg. Texas Hill Country Wineries and Exotic Resort Zoo are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • William Chris Vineyards - 14 min drive - 10.1 km
  • Lyndon B. Johnson State Park - 14 min drive - 10.5 km
  • Garrison Brothers Distillery - 18 min drive - 12.4 km
  • Grape Creek Vineyards - 27 min drive - 30.3 km
  • Becker Vineyards - 31 min drive - 30.7 km

Getting around

  • Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) - 76 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪William Chris Vineyards - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Albert Ice House - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪290 Wine Castle - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Old 290 Brewery & Restaurant - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Narrow Path Winery and Vineyard - ‬20 min drive

About this property

Pool, pickleball, gathering spaces in the wine country

Whether you are craving an escape from the city and reconnecting with nature or a great place to explore all the Texas Hill Country has to offer, you'll find it here at Rancho de Vida. The relaxing starts when you turn your car into the gate. This 1906 farmhouse has been lovingly restored and burnished into a wonderful gathering place for friends & family. It's the Texas Hill Country meets Marfa in the shadow of a 400-year-old oak in the backyard.

Dine under the canopy of the lighted oak, enjoy a campfire and gaze at the stars. Hike the property's bluffs and creek beds, float in the limestone bottom seasonal creek, take in the sunshine from the hammock and tree swing. There's a brand new 30-foot round (up to 5.5 ft deep) "stock tank" swimming pool with, to cool off in with a deck, chaise lounges, bench seating and a pool "beach" for tanning and wee ones. Play pickleball in our Quonset hut that with lights to extend the day's fun (net, balls and paddles are all here).

Rancho de Vida has a beautiful hilltop area with an arbor and lots of seating. Take in the views across the valley and toast each sunset. There's 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 lit up with patio lights. Roast marshmallows and tell tall tales around the rock fire pit.

Keep your whole family together on your getaway...we love dogs, and dogs love us. Well-behaved, house-broken dogs are welcome. We charge $25 per night, per dog. Just let us know in advance.

Rancho de Vida has been the site of many weddings. If you are interested, please find our Rancho de Vida website with more info. (We cannot book weddings through VRBO). We charge an event fee for weddings and gatherings with additional guests.

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 boot scootin'. Two state parks, both with water for swimming, and the LBJ National Park and the Western White House are within 15 minutes. Explore the parklike setting of bluffs and creek beds on our 68-acres and bike the quiet backroads that surround the property.

Main house: 1st-floor has a kitchen-dining room area, reading nook, sunroom, living room, master bedroom and bath. 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 .

Across the yard is the bunkhouse area. It has an expansive glassed-in living room with a large, comfy sectional couch, big screen TV and bar area. Watch your favorite team together while taking in the agave garden and pool area.

Need more room? A fun, air-conditioned and heated bunkhouse is an optional add-on & sleeps 9 more guests. A large bathhouse is adjacent to the bunkhouse for all guests to use and has two walk-in showers, two toilets, two sinks, and plenty of room for getting ready for a hill country night out.

Ranch location & local attractions: Austin- 1 hour away
San Antonio-1 hour away
Johnson City--10 minutes
Luckenbach-15 minutes
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

There are now 70-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.

The new Hill Country Science Mill is a great outing for kids and students of all ages. In an old, converted mill in Johnson City, 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).

Property manager

Mary Pat Mueller

Languages

English, Spanish

Amenities

Pool
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Parking available
Laundry

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 12:00 PM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed
Extra fees for weddings & events. Contact owner.
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Pets

Pets allowed
$25 per night, per dog. No cats or other pets.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking allowed only outside

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events are allowed on site
Note from host: Extra fees for weddings & events. Contact owner.
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

Frequently asked questions

Does Pool, pickleball, gathering spaces in the wine country have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Pool, pickleball, gathering spaces in the wine country pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Pool, pickleball, gathering spaces in the wine country?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Pool, pickleball, gathering spaces in the wine country?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Pool, pickleball, gathering spaces in the wine country located?

Situated in a rural location, this farm stay is within 6 miles (10 km) of William Chris Vineyards, Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Bingham Family Vineyards Fredericksburg. Garrison Brothers Distillery and Kuhlman Cellars are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Pool, pickleball, gathering spaces in the wine country Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 88 out of 99 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 99 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 99 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 99 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 99 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wedding weekend

We had a wonderful time at a beautiful property!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melinda C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family get together.

Wow what a great place in the Hill Country! The farm house was incredible and full of interesting items. The bunk house was a great place to hang with the grandkids! Everything was as described and we had a blast! The icing on the cake was Waylon and Willie. The friendly longhorns that came to visit each day. So many great memories were made! Thanks for hosting us.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Johnson City VRBO

Our family enjoyed our time together sitting outside having dinner, swimming, taking walks and playing pickleball. The farm house is cozy and we enjoyed the bunkhouse to relax and watch movies. Many great memories made and we would definitely go back!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chris H.

Great place!

I've enjoyed this property several times, and it continues to impress. The recent improvements show the care that goes into making it a wonderful vacation destination.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2018

10/10 Excellent

Chris H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fourth stay here, still love it

We thoroughly enjoyed our fourth weekend at Rancho de Vida. It's obvious that the owners have looked for ways to improve the property over the years, and the experience is still a great one.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Robert A., Irving, TX

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

This has been our 3rd year to bring the entire family to enjoy the most relaxing country escape.

Mary Pat is amazing, the Ranch is a very unique place and having all of our meals outside under the giant oak trees with the cool breeze was wonderful. We are already making plans to attend next year.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Beatrice L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A wonderful place to rest

We were 3 families and we spent a wonderful time in the Ranch. it was very hot and the pool was welcome The bunker bedroom was perfect also for teens. we will come back with pleasure. there is everything you need to spend a wonderful time. thanks
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Renee O.

Perfect for family get together

We were a party of 10 adults. We had a fantastic time. The farmhouse was charming and great farmhouse decor. Plenty of cookware, and towels. We enjoyed the outdoor space just as much. All the swings were perfect for relaxing and reading. The pool was perfect for cooling off and the Bunk House was perfect for teens.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Marta H.

Awesome spot!

The whole property is amazing. Excellent accommodations and service. Perfect spot for our small, outdoor, hill country wedding. Mary Pat was very helpful and answered all our questions. The best day of our lives was hosted by Rancho de Vida and we wouldn't have had it any other way. Thanks Mary Pat! Can't wait to get back out there!

10/10 Excellent

Anne T., Austin, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Hill Country Ranch

This property gave us everything we needed for a relaxing weekend among friends. The pool is larger than it looks and was a perfect temperature in the late afternoon for a swim after a day of visiting wineries. The kitchen is well appointed, so if you like to cook then you are all set. There are no showers in the main house, but we enjoyed the bunkhouse showers and walking back to the main house just fine. Stunning views, great location, really good WiFi and a great host. We would stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Girls Getaway

There was 16 women that stayed at this property. There was plenty of sleeping space and we loved the common areas for gathering. The pool was so nice and very refreshing during the heat of the day. We loved the alpacas, longhorns and many deer that we saw during our stay. It was definitely in the country where we would not have to worry about being loud or distrurbing our neighbors, but also an easy drive to Fredericksburg and Luckenbach.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Barbie B., Dallas, TX

Texas Hill Country Retreat

We spent Christmas 2018 here with family and friends and had such a memorable trip! It was just what we were hoping it would be with outdoor fires in the pit at night, hilltop sunset happy hours, outdoor games, beautiful views, and peace & quiet with just the occasional sound of the windmill and area cows. We loved feeding the longhorns, saying hello to the Llamas, and watching deer grazing in the pastures. All this plus a day visiting some fantastic vineyards in the area that left us wanting more. We look forward to visiting again and appreciate all that Mary Pat did to make our stay more enjoyable.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kellie B.

Perfect Hill Country Getaway

This was the PERFECT getaway for girls weekend. The house is cute and kitchy and the pictures do not do it justice! The property was amazing and beautiful and the house was so cozy. We hung out around the round table under the tree all weekend, talking and laughing. We had a group of 15 and we had plenty of space. The bunk house was so much fun and we felt like we were back at camp! The longhorns came to visit us a few times during weekend and it was fun to watch the alpacas. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2017

10/10 Excellent

Helena N.

Magical Oasis

I got to celebrate my birthday at Rancho de Vida with my family and friends. The house is an old, charming farmhouse with lots of character. We swam, grilled, danced, and sat on the top of the hill to watch the sunset. It was truly wonderful to disconnect from the world and visit with loved ones in the Hill Country. My friends cannot stop raving about the place! We will for sure be back. Thanks for sharing your beautiful space with us!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

elizabeth s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

McQuitty wedding

We stayed here with family and friends for our wedding weekend. We were supposed to get married in April but COVID postponed that. Rancho de Vida turned out to be the perfect spot for our more intimate wedding day. Thank you Mary Pat for hosting it. We loved every minute and couldn't have asked for a more magical spot to say I do! Beth and Greg McQuitty
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2020

6/10 Okay

Graham D.

Liked: Check-in, communication

Ranch getaway

Decent property. Didnt have access to all of the beds we saw in the pictures. My guests were unhappy with the upstairs accommodations. Spider webs, rat droppings, wasps. And stains on the sheets. Definitely wont be going back.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

James M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Exceeds expectations

We reserved this vacation property for a get together of old college friends. There were 7 adults and 3 children ages 18 months to 3 years. It was perfect for us and exceeded expectations. We were able to have family time in the ranch house in the mornings and evenings around meals, explore the surrounding area during the day, sit around a fire at night, and once it got late, the guys were able to retreat to the bunkhouse for poker. This property is a very old, but beautifully renovated ranch house on a secluded property with an optional bunk house. Would be great as a small/med wedding venue or similar event.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jordan T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Happy 4th at Rancho De Vida!

We had a great time at Rancho De Vida! My wife and I celebrated the 4th with my old college roommates and their families. Location was perfect due to everyone living all across Texas now. The farm house was very clean and slept all 9 of us comfortably. The pool was awesome! Lots of shade trees to get out of the heat as well in the afternoons. This was my first time renting off VRBO, and my only complaint would be that I wish they included all “fees” in the avg daily rate to better figure the cost before getting hooked on a property! All in all great time and would love to go back! Thank you for having us!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019

8/10 Good

Sarah B.

Loved the peace and quiet

Our group of 13 loved this place. Plenty of room for everyone. Stocked with lots of towels and spices, which is very helpful! Really appreciated that there was no wi-fi! The kids played and played and never missed being online. The two longhorns were very friendly and fun to feed. The alpacas were entertaining, too! The creek was dry.m due to the drought, would have loved to have had water to play and fish in. The pool was great. It was 102 outside bit felt good under the old oak. A great place with lots of room to run and relax.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Natalie C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful Getaway

The property is amazing! Our large group enjoyed many of the amenities from the hilltop view, swings, large outdoor tables and especially the amazing refreshing pool. The stars are beautiful at night and all of us enjoyed seeing the Lamas and Longhorns on property. The older teenagers also loved having the bunkhouse to themselves and we all enjoyed the spacious grounds. The house provided everything we needed to make meals on premise throughout our stay. Everything worked perfectly and Mary Pat was sweet to check on us through email during our stay. This is the perfect property if you're looking for a secluded getaway to make memories with family and friends. It is located close to Fredricksburg (about 30 minutes) if you also want to do some shopping and sightseeing. Loved every minute!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Robert A., Irving, TX

Absolutely amazing and relaxing place

This was our second year in a row to bring our entire family to Rancho de Vida..., it was awesome. The adults love the wonderful ranch house with the quaint relaxing rooms, the kids love the bunk house, swimming pool, longhorns and all of the open room to run and discover. As the grandparents, we love to see the family spending quality time together, lying in a hammock, swinging on the tree swings or sitting under the enormous oak trees, enjoying the breeze and off of technology. We have done family pictures each year and they constantly get rave reviews because of the setting. Mary Pat is a wonderful host, the home and bunk house are well designed and appointed, everything you need for a great family get-a-way. We will be back next year. - Robert Allsup Irving, TX
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Renee V.

Spacious Country living - Perfect escape from the city

This ranch house has everything we needed to enjoy our time in the peaceful countryside. Mary Pat has taken care to include so many great little touches. She was great about answering our many questions before our trip. We felt right at home the moment we arrived. Careful thought has been given to keeping the home true to some old tradition, yet also keeping it comfortable and stylish. We loved the decor. Our favorite was the amazing outdoor space. There are lots of areas to sit and relax while enjoying the countless stars at night in the quiet of the country. We loved the outdoor lights, swings, seating and especially the fire-pit. This great spot is nicely removed from all busyness, yet it is close to so many fun things. We enjoyed visiting lots of the local businesses. This house is a gem! We can't wait to go back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2018

10/10 Excellent

Lauryn A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family getaway

This was a family trip the four of us took with my parents! We all absolutely loved it. The property was even more than described and more than we could have dreamed of. Everything you needed was right there and you didn’t need to ever leave but if you wanted to you are so close to so many fun wineries and site that it would be easy to go and do and then retreat back for a beautiful evening under the lights of the back years or under the beautiful stars on the hilltop! I can’t wait to go again! This is such a wonderful place to make memories with friends and family! Our host was amazing and easy to contact at all times!! The pool and pickleball court were our most favorite things. We also loved the Convenience of the beautiful solarium. The farm house was precious and comfortable and had the greatest charm. Hearing the screen door slam as we went in and out took me back in time to running in and out of your grandparents house as a child! This place is a 10 out of 10! I highly recommend! There was only 6 of us but so much room for more. Especially if you added on the rental of the bunkhouse! Book the trip, have the fun and make the memories!! It is worth it!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brittany T., Temple, TX

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect blend of fun and relaxing!

We absolutely loved our time at Rancho De Vida and I highly recommend staying here if your looking for a country escape. While there, we spent a lot of our time swimming, going up to the hilltop to check out the gorgeous views, hiking to the creek, and relaxing under the huge trees. The dance stage was also a plus, giving us space for line-dances. We went in the heat of July (which I was a little worried about) but despite the climbing temperatures, the trees and nice breeze kept us outside almost the entire time! Mary was so helpful and willing to work with us, we actually originally had our trip planned for May, but because of COVID we had to postpone. That being said, Mary was incredibly accommodating and quick to respond to all my questions through the entire process. We also loved being able to bring all our fur babies along for the fun, they had a blast running around. During our stay we opted to rent both the bunkhouse and the farmhouse, which added even more spaces to hang out. We felt like we had so many spaces to relax and so many different gathering areas! Another thing to note, everyone in our party commented on how comfortable the beds were, which is not always the case for rentals properties. Overall I can’t say enough good things about Rancho de Vida. If you are looking for the perfect blend of fun and relaxing country living, this is the place for you!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2020

10/10 Excellent

angellina l.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Camp Aries

A group of 15 of us came out to celebrate birthdays at the ranch. This property was EVERY thing we could have asked for! We had an absolute best time here, our host Mary was very easy to communicate with and provided all the details ahead of time so check in was very easy. We will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025