Feel free to use this information in your reports on Texas wines and related subjects.
TEXAS WINE INDUSTRY QUOTES
“Trailblazing winemakers have led the way for a great new industry in Texas.
Several years ago, a handful of individuals with a pioneering spirit had the vision
to bypass the well-traveled road and build a new path in Texas. Today, that path
has become a mighty road, and it grows year after year because of the foresight
and leadership of those committed winemakers.”
Todd Staples, Texas Agriculture Commissioner
“Texas is fairly unique in its commitment to working in direct partnership
with agricultural producers. The Texas Department of Agriculture and Texas winemakers
work as a team to create new marketing opportunities for this rapidly growing industry.
We're the fifth largest wine producing state in the nation, we're seeing exciting growth
in wine tourism and we're opening doors to new markets inside and outside Texas.
This cooperative venture means great things for Texas wine and it contributes more than
$1 billion a year to the Texas economy.”
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
Todd Staples
Texas Agriculture Commissioner
Phone: (512) 463-7664
E-mail: todd.staples@tda.state.tx.us
Robert (Bobby) Champion Jr.
State Coordinator for Wine Marketing
Phone: (512) 475-3303
E-mail: robert.champion@tda.state.tx.us
The Texas Wine Marketing Assistance Program was launched at the Texas Department of Agriculture in 2001. The program helps market and promote Texas wines and the Texas wine industry. In 2005, the program’s efforts were enhanced with increased funding for a state and national campaign to raise awareness of the wine and grape industries in both Texas and the nation.
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
Dacota Julson
Executive Director, Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association (TWGGA)
Phone: (817) 424-0570
E-mail: dacota@twgga.org
Alphonse A. Dotson
Texas Winemaker and Grape Grower
President, Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association
Phone: (325) 239-5500
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.
Katy Bothum
Executive Director, Texas Hill Country Wineries
E-mail: katyjane@texaswinetrail.com
Glenn Cordua
Director, Wine & Spirits Management Institute
Conrad H. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management
Phone: (713) 743-2442
E-mail: gcordua@uh.edu
TEXAS WINE MARKETING ASSESSMENT PROGRAM IMPACT
Dr. Roger Hanagriff
Associate Professor, Sam Houston State University
Phone: (936) 294-3867
E-mail: agr_rdh@shsu.edu
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.
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
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
- Texas is America's No. 5 grape and wine producer, according to a 2007 Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association report.
- Texas has more than 220 family-owned vineyards covering 3,700 acres, according to a 2007 Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association report.
- Talk about impact! The Texas wine industry contributes more than $1 billion a year to the state’s economy and supports about 8,000 jobs for Texans, according to a 2007 Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association report
- Texas grapes include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Merlot. Texas wineries are also doing great work with grapes such as Sangiovese, Syrah, Riesling, Blanc du Bois and Viognier.
- The Texas Legislature is making great strides for growth in the Texas wine industry. Texans of legal age can now have Texas wines delivered to their door.
- Texas has eight appellations of origin, including the Hill Country Viticultural Area, which is the second-largest in the United States and covers 15,000 square miles in 22 Texas counties (the largest viticultural area in the United States covers a region that includes four states).
- October is Texas Wine Month! Festivities across the state honor the designation, including events such as grape stomps, dinners, tasting celebrations and more at wineries and retail locations. For details, go to www.gotexanwine.org.
- The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) helps market Texas wines through the Texas Wine Marketing Assistance Program established by the Texas Legislature in 2001 and the Texas Wine Industry Development Fund approved in 2005.
- Texas wine Web site is located at www.gotexanwine.org and includes winery listings, food and wine pairing information and other details. TDA’s toll-free wine line is (866) 4TX-WINE.