Media Kit

Feel free to use this information in your reports on Texas wines and related subjects.

 

TEXAS WINE INDUSTRY QUOTES

“This is a vibrant, growing industry that plays a very significant role in the diversification of Texas agriculture.” Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said. ‘Texas Wine now has a place on the international stage and we expect to play a much larger role in the near future.”
Todd Staples, Texas Agriculture Commissioner

“The Texas Department of Agriculture is proud to play a role in the continuing success story of Texas Wine, but the real stars are the wines themselves,” Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said. “Our winemakers have achieved extraordinary success in identifying the varietals and techniques best suited to our region’s climate and terrain. The quality is outstanding. While the Texas Wine Marketing Program has been instrumental in raising public awareness, the growing popularity means we’re producing very good wines.”
Todd Staples, Texas Agriculture Commissioner

“The Texas Wine industry has come of age,” Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said. “Our grape growers are producing premium fruit and our winemakers have demonstrated tremendous skill in crafting truly fine wines. Committed people have put us in the spotlight and the recent awards and growing popularity are evidence of just how far we’ve come.”
Todd Staples, Texas Agriculture Commissioner

“Texas is blessed with a wealth of tourism opportunities and wineries greatly enhance the attractiveness of our state to visitors. The impact is statewide. Wineries and tasting rooms are located in our rural regions, in small towns and in our most bustling cities making access convenient for Texans and visitors alike.”
Todd Staples, Texas Agriculture Commissioner

“When you hear Texans talk about visiting wine country, there’s a very good chance they’re talking about a place within driving distance. Our wineries are wonderful entertainment destinations for the people of this state and they’re easily accessible from any part of Texas. Visiting a nearby winery is an outstanding, economical choice for any Texan seeking an enjoyable day trip or a weekend retreat.”
Todd Staples, Texas Agriculture Commissioner

“This state benefits enormously from the recent explosion of wine tourism. Wineries attract visitors to destinations all over Texas and that’s a real boon for merchants, hotels, restaurants and other businesses in the region. Wine festivals and regional wine trails draw large crowds and the result is very positive for the Texas economy.”
Todd Staples, Texas Agriculture Commissioner

“Texas is a prime wine-grape growing region. We’ve been growing wine grapes here for the past 300 years and the number of varietals this soil can produce is amazing. If viticulture isn’t generally thought of as a traditional part of Texas agriculture, it’s clearly an enormous part of the future of Texas agriculture. Our grape growers are contributing tremendously to the essential diversity of the state’s agricultural profile.”
Todd Staples, Texas Agriculture Commissioner

“Over the past 30 years, we’ve been very pleased with the amazing strides made by Texas grape growers. We’ve gone from having virtually no presence in the wine-grape industry to being the fifth largest wine-producing state in the nation. The quality is clearly here and our goal is to continue to increase the amount of grape production in regions across state.”
Todd Staples, Texas Agriculture Commissioner

“The Texas Department of Agriculture works as a partner with the grape growers of Texas. We’re one of the most pro-active states in the nation in terms of the resources and information we make available to people working in the wine-grape industry. It’s important that those looking to start a vineyard in Texas know they’re not alone, we’ll be there to help every step of the way.”
Todd Staples, Texas Agriculture Commissioner

“The Texas wine industry is part of tourism, entertainment and education. That provides a lot of avenues for local communities to make a connection with wineries. And it’s a rural agricultural product. Vineyards and wineries tend to be in rural areas, so there’s an economic development aspect for small towns, as well.”
Dr. Tim Dodd Director, Texas Tech Wine Marketing Research Institute

“We’ve got an abundance of land that is relatively cheap, and we have a varied climate where we can grow all sorts of different varieties. Also, we have a population that is becoming very interested in wine and that works well with expanding the local industry.”
Dr. Tim Dodd Director, Texas Tech Wine Marketing Research Institute

“Texas has some similarities to other wine growing regions that have become very successful around the world, but there are differences, as well. I think that’s what consumers want. They want something that says this is Texas, not something that says it’s another California or Italy or anything else.”
Dr. Tim Dodd Director, Texas Tech Wine Marketing Research Institute

“The Texas wine industry is going to accelerate in its popularity. We’re no longer a state brand. We are in our evolution. We’ve established Texas as a strong place to grow grapes, we’ve made Texans aware of our wines and now we’re going to make the nation aware.”
Paul Bonarrigo Owner, Messina Hof Winery & Resort

”Texas has great variety because the state is so big and the regions vary so much. For example, West Texas has a completely different soil and climate than the Texas Hill Country, and each region produces its own, distinctive wines.”
Rebecca Robinson Executive Director, Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

 

TEXAS WINE INDUSTRY CONTACTS

Texas Department Of Agriculture

Robert (Bobby) Champion Jr.
State Coordinator for Wine Marketing
Phone: (512) 475-3303
E-mail: robert.champion@TexasAgriculture.gov

Industry Statistics

Dr. Tim Dodd
Texas Marketing Research Institute – Texas Tech University
Phone: (806) 742-3077
E-mail: timdodd@ttu.edu

Dr. Tim Dodd leads the Texas Wine Marketing Research Institute at Texas Tech University and is well versed in Texas viticulture. From suggesting ideal grape varieties to garnering facts and analyzing data, he is extremely knowledgeable.

Grape Growing/Viticulture

Dr. Jim Kamas
Texas Cooperative Extension
Assistant Professor and Extension Horticulturist-Fruits, Department of Horticultural Sciences Phone: (830) 997-7047
E-mail: j-kamas@tamu.edu

Dr. Ed Hellman
Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Viticulture
Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University
Agricultural Research and Extension Center
Phone: (806) 746-4038
E-mail: e-hellman@tamu.edu

Roy E. Renfro, Ph.D.
T.V. Munson School of Viticulture and Enology
Grayson County College
Phone: (903) 463-8717
E-mail: renfror@grayson.edu

These educators can provide information about what grapes grows best, when you should plant, water regulations, soil conditions, pest, diseases, etc.

Regulations

Steve Greinert
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)
Phone: (512) 206-3338
E-mail: s.greinert@tabc.state.tx.us

TABC’s Compliance Department can provide information about current and pending laws pertaining to the Texas wine industry, including wet and dry counties issues, licensing and shipping regulations.

 

TEXAS WINE INDUSTRY PARTNERS

Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association

The Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association is comprised of more than 400 members representing winemakers and grape growers. The organization is an excellent source for Texas wine industry information.

Carol Kull
Executive Director, Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association (TWGGA)
Phone: (817) 424-0570
E-mail: carol@twgga.org

Gene Estes
President, Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association
Phone: (817) 426-6625
E-mail: gkestes@loneoakwinery.com

Texas Hill Country Wineries

Katy Jane Bothum
Executive Director, Texas Hill Country Wineries
E-mail: katyjane@texaswinetrail.com

 

TEXAS WINE STORY IDEAS

There are as many stories about Texas wines as there are wines to celebrate. Here’s a list of ideas to help you uncork your own unique angle. We’re glad to help you in any way by providing contacts, additional information or other resources. Just give us a ring at (866) 4TX-WINE.

Texas Two-Sip Tele-Tasting

On March 31, 2009, TDA partnered with expert sommeliers, Devon Broglie and Craig Collins, to host a group of journalists from across the country in the first ever Texas Two-Sip Tele-Tasting. Using a live webcast, our hosts conducted a blind tasting of five Texas wines paired against a comparable non-Texas wine. The audience of eight journalists and wine professionals followed along at home, pouring the same wines as the hosts from specially wrapped and numbered bottles they received in advance.

After both the Texas wine and non-Texas wine were sampled, the hosts unwrapped the concealed bottle to reveal the wine’s origin. Throughout the Tele-Tasting, participants provided feedback through a chat room attached to the webcast and then the group joined a conference call for a lively discussion.

Click here to see the video of the first ever Texas Two-Sip Tele-Tasting.

Click here to download tasting notes.

Did Texan Thomas Munson Save the Wine World?

Denison resident Thomas Munson was a 19th century viticulturist who developed a phylloxera resistant grapevine that saved the European wine industry. So important were his contributions to wine that he’s honored with a number of statues in France.

History of Texas Wine

Texas has a long and colorful wine history that began in the 17th century when Spanish missionaries started making wine near present-day El Paso. The state’s oldest winery still in operation, Del Rio’s Val Verde Winery, dates back to 1833.

Texas Appellations

Texas has eight federally approved wine-grape growing regions that spread across the state, including the country’s second-largest viticultural area. Each region has its own soil, climate and unique characteristics, giving Texans the ability to produce an unusually diverse list of varietals.

Texas Shipping Law

Doors opened for Texas wineries in 2005 when the Legislature passed a law allowing them to ship their wines to the front door of adults of legal drinking age within the state.

Alphonse Dotson - Former NFL Star Tackles Texas Wine Industry

This former defensive lineman for the Oakland Raiders is now one of the state’s most popular and successful grape growers.

Texas Food & Wine Pairings

Wine has always been a popular choice with steak, poultry and fish. But its rising popularity in Texas has meant finding pairings for regional favorites like chicken fried steak, barbecue and enchiladas.

Destination Wineries

Several Texas wineries have gone beyond mere tastings and offer shopping, bed and breakfast accommodations, carriage rides and live music.

Truly Texan Wine Labels

The label art on Texas wines is as unique as the creations it represents. There are several great ones to choose from.

Texas Wine Month

October is Texas Wine Month, a celebratory event that sparks wine activities throughout the state.

Wine and Texas Music

Wineries have emerged as popular venues for Texas musicians, a mutually beneficial arrangement.

HLSR Saddles and Buckles

The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo bucks the trend toward awarding medals and presents winners with custom-made belt buckles and championship saddles, prizes normally associated with the rodeo. It’s a strategy that’s getting the event lots of attention.

Award-Winning Wines

Texas wines are bringing home medals from around the world. Visit our Awards Page on the Web site.

La Bodega Winery

Operating out of the DFW International Airport, this is the nation’s only airport-based winery. The winery scored huge points by combining wine making and a love of aviation history with its commemorative port called “Aero Port.”

The Women of Texas Wine

As owners, winemakers, growers and promoters, women are a big part of the Texas wine industry.

Wedding Central

With beautiful grounds and attractive facilities, Texas wineries have become very popular destinations for weddings and special events.

Harvest-time Events

From vineyard races to community grape picking, harvest time has become a public participation event at Texas wineries.

 

TEXAS WINE FACTS

    According to the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association and Texas Tech’s Wine Marketing Research Institute:

  1. Texas is America’s No. 5 wine producer.
  2. Texas is America’s No. 7 winegrape producer.
  3. The Total economic impact to the State of Texas from the wine and winegrape industry is $1.35 Billion.
  4. An estimated 958,000 tourists visited Texas wineries in 2007.
  5. Wine grapes, their products and allied industries diversify local economies, create employment and generate new market opportunities in rural communities.
  6. The number of full time jobs generated from the Texas wine industry in 2007 is 8,971.
  7. The current number of Texas wineries is 163 and the number of wine gallons produced is 2.4 million gallons.
  8. The number of commericial growers is 280 and the number of grape-bearing acres currently stands at 3,100.
  9. Taxes Paid in 2007: State and Local / Federal - $63.3 million / $78.9 million.
  10.