I stop by here every time I visit Fredericksburg! Not only are the people working there always so friendly and willing to chat, the chocolate tasting is elite! If they're in a busy time of the day, you can just roam around the shop and get different tastings from the sample boxes. But if you go when they're not busy, they deliver a whole experience! They have a room on the side where your party can sit, and they bring out plates of each sample you can try, along with explaining the backgrounds of each chocolate, and how they started as a company. Not only is it fascinating to hear about their history, but the chocolates are delicious too! They really experiment with different flavor profiles, and they do a really good spicy chocolate. I feel like a lot of people might come in to just try some free chocolate. But it's so hard to leave without making a purchase! read more

Come on in! Why're you still in the parking lot? Geez! This is the place for Venezuelan chocolates and other delicious sweets. There are samples galore and many chocolatey goods to choose from. Ask for Lee, James, Jonathan. They roll out the carpet of chocolate yum. The dark chocolate turtles and disks are the best. Treat yourself more this lifetime. Will ya? Enjoy! read more

Chocolates El Rey - Enter now! - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Stonewall, Texas

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I sort of wished that the "chocolate tasting" was like a true tasting because it's really just like samples, so I was kind of sad about that. I loved the free samples and the little sample treats. You can get samples of the bars too which I was super happy about! The young guy behind the counter was super sweet and helpful, and just very kind. It's a small and quaint little place. I'd definitely take people here just for a fun break between lunch or wine drinking! read more

Chocolates El Rey - 1lb of Milk Chocolate $18.99 - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Stonewall, Texas

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This was a fun stop on the way home from some wineries. The people were so friendly yall!! It is a small shop but don't let that stop you from poking your head in! If they have the chocolate tasting DO IT!! I am not a dark chocolate fan, tastes like dirt to me, but whatever kind they have was so smooth and not bitter! I'm not sure how they do it but it was delectable. We walked out they the sampler, chili chocolate, and a white chocolate fruit one! Stop in, have a taste, and enjoy the chocolate!! read more

Chocolates El Rey - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Stonewall, Texas

If on the winery trail this is a neat stop off in Stonewall (Orobianco is next door as well). It isn't advertised so I didn't know the first time I visited, but if you ask for the chocolate tasting they give you a selection of chocolate with a self guided tour sheet. The tasting is free and has white and dark chocolate samples. They kindly list the spicy ones for the kids. The shop is small and a bit limited on display. It would be nice if they had a bigger display case to purchase truffles and such. Overall the chocolate is really flavorful and it is a fun experience. read more

Chocolates El Rey - Self guided chocolate tasting - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Stonewall, Texas

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Love a free tasting... and while their chocolate is super good, we damn near came to blows over their dark chocolate bark and that hoity toity brittle. Ultimately I lost the fight- my fam devoured it in what seemed like seconds... Just buy more- don't fight over chocolate like us. read more

Anybody who knows me would know that I'm not one to ignore a "free chocolate" sign. By the time I saw it, it was too late to turn in, so we looped back around to check this place out. So glad we did!. They really have a great method of telling their story to new guests. You receive a small baggie with seven different chocolates in it and proceed to a room that offers written and video storytelling about the long history of this business that sources its cocoa from Venezuela. If there's anything you'd like to try that isn't in your complementary baggie, they are likely to offer you additional samples so that you can find just the right thing for you. The person working when we were there was incredibly knowledgeable. We highly recommend the bourbon balls and the white chocolate toffee with macadamia nuts. Will definitely visit again if I'm ever in the area. Be sure to stop by the gelataria and buffalo cheese/meat shop next door as well. read more

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I love this place! I've been here twice, and it's a great experience. Definitely make this your last stops before heading back home from wine tasting. Just show up at the front and one of the ladies will give you a baggy filled with a variety of chocolate samples - from sweet to spicy and crunchy to chewy chocolate. They will also give you a sheet of paper that describes each chocolate sample and what the ingredients are. They source their chocolate from 100% Valenzuelan cacao beans. After you sample, you are able to purchase a bag of whatever chocolates you'd like. My personal favorites are the 70% dark chocolate discs and the toffee bars. They also have yummy fudge too! Definitely stop by and support this place! read more

Fun place to stop for some free sample tastings of ~10 different offerings. Free water, tea and hot chocolate too. We sat putside and enjoyed them all. Good service. Out favs were the white chocolate "kitchen sink" bark & the "holy mole'" toffee. Got a bag of each to go (~$11 each). Get your chocolate high here in between wine tastings. No wine served here though... read more

Chocolates El Rey - White chocolate bark & Toffee are amazing - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Stonewall, Texas

Great tasting chocolates. My favorite specialty chocolate was the toffee, macadamia nuts and white chocolate We arrived and were immediately greeted with a plate of chocolates to taste. We were give a brief history of the chocolate origins and then we got to tasting. The chocolate was excellent. Even the high cocoa ones tasted great. No bitterness to any of them. We bought a few to take with us while wine tasting. The tasting room is small, so if it is a big group, you will be cramped. This a good stop. Don't pass it up read more

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This is a wonderful experience for out of state visitors. Our host explained the entire making of the chocolates from the harvesting of the cocoa nuts in Venezuela to the making of the chocolates. The film presentation is very interesting. Good questions from our group and very informative answers from our host. The different chocolates in our tasting were explained in detail and in my opinion all were scrumptious. Great gifts to take home to share! read more

Phenomenal Chocolate. Hands down some of the best chocolate I've ever had in my life. Throw away your crappy Hersheys or decent fair trade whole foods chocolate it doesn't compare to this stuff. Whether you're a baker (and know the good stuff) or are just a connoisseur of high quality chocolates this place is for you. Don't even really like chocolate? You will after coming here. I like white chocolate. I don't love it, it's mainly made of sugar and fake crap. Not El Rey's white chocolate. Made from cocoa butter. Yup, you read that right. Cocoa butter - this is the real stuff and you will be able to taste the difference. I've never had white chocolate that tasted this good. In fact, I've never really eaten white chocolate until El Rey. Now I'm addicted to the stuff. They plant and make their cocoa in Venezuela and it shows. They are about 10 minutes away from downtown Fredericksburg located along the 290 wine trail in Stonewall. They offer free chocolate tastings. It's exactly as it sounds you get to taste their delicious offerings of chocolate along with a "finished" product that includes the chocolate you just tasted. For example, you'll get to try the pure white chocolate disc then you get to try the white chocolate turtle (this is my favorite, it's absolutely divine and always sold out). Since we are on the wine trail doing a "tasting" what would make chocolate even better? Pairing it with wine. That's right they sell boxes of specially crafted chocolate truffles that go with either red or white wine. It's not cheap but it's definitely worth it. I really appreciate that they provide a thorough background and history of the cocoa production and the chocolate making process.They are passionate and they seem to know their stuff. Pros: The chocolate. It's insane how good it is. You can literally taste the difference. THE WHITE CHOCOLATE! Cons: The price. I always spend too much here. Very tiny location not a lot of room inside but they are in the process of expanding. Only one location! Please open one in San Antonio! Must try: -White Chocolate Turtles -Hoity Toity White Chocolate Toffee -Aztec Turtles (Dark Chocolate with some serious heat in it- hurt so good! Incredibly unique you have to try it once!) -Sur del Lago dark chocolate discs -Gourmet Fudge (what the hell I don't even like fudge but I love this crazy delicious stuff. It's always sold out so grab it if you see it) read more

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I LOVE El Rey's Apamate (73.5%) chocolate! I make chocolates (as a hobby), and really LOVE this very dark chocolate. Almost everyone who tries my chocolates say they are the best chocolates they have ever tasted, and I attribute that to the Apamate chocolate. There is a lovely contrast between the sweet insides and the less sweet outside that really does the trick. Thank you El Rey! read more

The four stars is for the quality of the chocolates. They are amazing and they have the milk, dark and white chocolate. We tried the truffles rum with coconut, the dark chocolate with pistachio bark and for my sister I picked up white chocolate turtles. Just for those three packages it was $55 that wasn't too bad considering but I did not appreciate that when I did ask for the price which are not on the items themselves. I was told I could see it on the wall. Not with my eyesight. I think it would be more helpful to have the prices either right there in front of the item if you don't want to put it on it, the young man behind the counter was not very helpful but he was polite. Considering that I had just tried a restaurant in that little area I would probably go back here again and hope for a little more help next time. read more

The chocolate is great. The samples come with a "guide" so you know what order to eat everything in. These are fancy chocolates. The staff was very helpful and liberal with the samples. They answered every question we had. The shop is small and because it's "fancy" they seemed a little overwhelmed when two families showed up at the same time, but they got out samples and we made our purchases. We'll be back next time we are in town. read more

What a TREAT!! Everyone should be so lucky as to have a Gourmet Chocolate maker so close to home. Fine Chocolate blended with chili pepper sets the tone with exciting and innovative flavor combinations. Try them all! Their friendly staff is as excited as you are to help you explore. read more

Chocolate tasting in the hill country! My brother and I stopped here on our way back from Fredericksburg. We are chocoholics so this was a must stop. The tasting was very informative. We enjoyed the dark chocolate and were pleasantly surprised by the white chocolate. It is a must stop for any chocolate lover. read more

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This is an amazing place! I was stunned to learn that Chocolates El Rey is family owned and one of the oldest chocolate manufactures in Venezuela. They were founded in Venezuela in 1929, and their US import location is located in little old Fredericksburg, and we now have the pleasure to learn about them through their tasting room. Their free tasting is a learning experience. Not only about the chocolate making process, but also about Venezuela, and how chocolatiers around the world use their product to make hand crafted candies. During the tasting you will taste 6 premium El Rey chocolates, paired with an assortment of products that El Rey customers have crafted out of that particular chocolate. There is no pressure to purchase anything. But, I am not sure how one would overcome the temptation to walk out after the amazing tasting without purchasing something. read more

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One of our favorite things to do is visit Chocolates El Rey when we are out tasting wines and also taste some of their chocolate treats. They're very good at having other local dessert makers use their chocolates to create some tasty barks, etc. also a fun time. They have their tastings in a baggy outside now to limit covid exposure. Don't leave without a bag of chocolate chips!! read more

If you have not checked this place out, you need to. Even during covid they are trying their best- we were able to get a little chocolate sample outside and had them explain to us what we tried. Everything was delicious, but I am definitely partial to the toffee and the spicy white chocolate pecans. After tasting their chocolate, I can say I can appreciate the labor with which this chocolate is made. If you're in the area, definitely swing in, and snag some treats! Definitely recommend. read more

I was returning home to El Paso, some 450miles/720kms West, when this amazing sign caught my eye on US290. Being cursed as a chocoholic, I whipped the Ford Ranger into a sharp U-turn, turning South on Route 1623. Almost as quickly, I turned West into the gravel parking lot under Damon skies. I stared at the entrance, unsure if it was open or not. Observing another individual, I saw him try three doors successively, entering through the last one. I followed, and was joyous about seeing a placard about "free samples"; I was hooked! I met the only employee (Blake) on duty that grey morning, who knew his product and could easily sell this premier chocolate. A 3-dimensional wall map revealed the sole source to be in Venezuela, currently he'd up as a failed state by the present administration. Blake & I had a rather interesting discussion about cacao beans, Venezuela, travel, and the Navy, stimulated by my "US Navy Veteran" cap. His goal was to become a naval officer early next year, and was looking forward to attending OCS before shipping out. I have little doubt he will become a fleet Admiral in due time because he was already a half-dozen years older than most new inductees. Anyway, he didn't have to do much selling--my mouth was watering at the luscious aroma. The chocolate truly was perfect; 60%+ dark, not-overly-sweet-chocolate that flooded my senses with the delightful taste of exactingly prepared cacao beans. It doesn't get much better than this: meeting a future fleet admiral and tasting chocolate delicacy. read more

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Free chocolate sampling!!!! Yes that's right, you read that right. I am a lover of chocolate and this place was fantastic. Everything you want or need in chocolate, fudge or truffles is here. The staff was helpful, personable and very knowledgeable about CHOCOLATE!! $100 later I had to force myself to leave. When near the awesome little German town of Fredericksburg Tx, stop in.....y'all won't be sorry. read more

Free chocolate, how great is that. Very interesting selection of chocolates in the sampler. Make the stop and enjoy the chocolate!

What a fun stop on the 290 corridor! Free chocolate tasting, and you'll want to buy something to take home. Their chocolate ranges from $5-10 and up. They give a nice geography and chocolate agriculture lesson too, and they treated my kids well too. I would certainly stop again. Pro tip: ask to taste the cacao straight out of the roasted beans. read more

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While sampling wines at Becker Winery we found a brochure about Chocolates El Rey- decided to stop in. A small shop yet was greeted by Shannon. She gave us some history about the chocolate along with free samples. Yes it is as delicious and we bought some as well. Thank you Shannon as we enjoyed our brief visit and look forward to sharing our chocolates!! Perfect for baking and wine read more

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Such a fun find! They have daily chocolate tastings, even during COVID, and delicious options to take along for your winery trips! Don't miss it! read more

The chocolate tasting and treats available are awesome! The tasting room is too small and the bathroom was too messy so people were redirected to a place across the highway, but they are expanding soon so that won't be an issue once it's done. I'd stop here again when in the area because everything we bought was gone within a matter of days because it was so good! read more

Chocolates El Rey - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Stonewall, Texas

Lee was very friendly and personable during our chocolate tasting here! The tasting is very informational and the chocolate is absolutely amazing. A tiny little place but definitely worth a stop on the way into or out of Fredericksburg. read more

Snag their toffee and pecan candies, you won't regret it! Their tasting was amazing too! Helps you narrow down the choices!

Says is open at 10 they don't open till noon got very rude adittude at the door please change your time here on yelp

Omg go to this was great. Very informative and such a top quality chocolate. Been using it for 25+ years. Spooo yummy.

We come here several times a year on our way home from wine tasting because we love the chocolate tasting and we always need to buy some to take home. The white chocolate is amazing as well as the spicy turtles! We're definitely regulars...they know us by our names! read more

Free samples, and explanations of, high quality chocolate. No pressure to buy. You will find some neat types of chocolate that you don't see just anywhere. Their chocolate is from the source in South America. read more

First off. They don't make the chocolates here, so there's no chocolate factory tour. Darn! No Willy Wonka?!!! However, they do offer tastings. While the employee was setting up, we watched a short video on how they make their chocolate and the process involved. The woman went on to explain things and answer our questions. Chocolate tasting is similar to wine tasting. Take your time and allow the chocolate to slowly melt in your mouth. Don't just bite into it. We tried about 5 varieties. The white and the milk chocolates were our favorites. As one Yelper stated, the white chocolate has a buttery taste which is far different from any other white chocolate I've tried. If you take your time you'll notice these chocolates have a different taste. They're not loaded with sugar. They allow you to taste the actual chocolate and not a load of sweetener. I thought about giving them 4 stars just because I was hoping for a factory tour. However, the employee was informative and the chocolate was good. We bought a couple of bags to take home. read more