Texas Wine - Past, Present & Future

Texas Wines - Pre-Prohibition Era

In the 1800’s, Stephen F. Austin traveled the state and wrote - “Nature seems to have intended Texas for a vineyard to supply America with wines” - Half of the known species of grapes in the world grow in Texas.

Unfortunately, most do not make very good tasting wine.

But, by the 1850’s, wine was being made around Dallas and in El Paso where it was reported that 200,000 gallons were produced each year.

Stephen F. Austin

Texas Wines - Pre-Prohibition Era

Early problems in Texas: A great flood in 1897

destroyed many vineyards around El Paso

Native grapes required substantial amounts of sugar.

Cheap whiskey became available

Laws were tightened on the production of alcoholic beverages as prohibitionists became more active.

When prohibition went into effect in 1920, there were 20 wineries in the State of Texas.

Post Prohibition Texas - The Dark Ages

Val Verde Winery (in Del Rio) was the only winery to re-establish successful commercial operations following prohibition.

Laws made it difficult to start new wineries since many of the counties were “dry”.

Grape growing and wine making became a lost part of Texas culture and commerce.

Texas Era of Optimism - 1971 to 1992

Texas Universities became involved in grape and wine research

New areas were developed for grape growing - High Plains (Lubbock) & West Texas (Fort Stockton)

Techniques were developed to work with the land, weather & “critters”

It was shown that small quantities of fine wine could be made in Texas

Commercial operations started and by 1993, 1.4 million gallons of wine were being produced in Texas

Texas Era of Pessimism - 1993 to 1996

Three difficult years hindered production.

Several wineries that worked to re-establish the wine industry had business problems.

Of the 18 wineries started by 1986, only eight were in operation by the end of 1996 with only 23 wineries in operation by 1995.

Bad luck, poor planning resulted in a negative outcome.

Texas Problem - Pierce’s Disease

A disease lethal to grapevines caused by a bacterium, spread by certain kinds of leafhoppers known as sharpshooters.

Restricted to portions of North America with mild winters.

In affected areas, PD is the single most formidable obstacle to the growing of European-type (Vinifera) grapes.

Solutions include vine breading for increased resistance, genetic engineering, use of bacteria against sharpshooter

Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter

Texas Cautious Realism - 1997 to 2002

The Texas wine industry today has built itself up to the 5th largest in the U.S. behind CA, WA, NY and OR.

In the past 5 years, the number of wineries has grown rapidly to 42 with applications for a total of 60 wineries in progress.

Wine laws are being changed that allow: Wineries to have tasting rooms and sales in dry countries Formation of the Texas Wine

Marketing Assistance Program Intrastate shipment of wine

from wineries Support for grape growing from

TDA Go Texan Program

Impact of Texas Grapes and Wine

The economic impact of the Texas grape & wine industry exceeds $100 million annually.

Red Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon

Shiraz Pinot Noir Zinfandel

44% 39% 4-6% 4-6% 4-6%White Chardonnay Sauvignon

BlancRiesling Gewurtztra-

minerChenin Blanc

83% 11% 6%

Wine 1982 1992 2001

White 62 49 41Red 17 20 44

Rose/Blush 11 31 15

Texas Wine Production

Texas Grape Growing Regions

Texas AVA’s: • Texas Davis Mtns. • Escondido Valley • Texas Hill Country • Fredericksburg THC • Bell Mountain • Texas High Plains

Texas Wine Issues for the Future

All but the top seven Texas wineries are small, family-run operations.

These wineries are scattered around the largest of the lower 48 contiguous states.

2500 producing acres - Texas needs 6,000 now and 10,000 in the next 10 years; Reduce the cost of grapes and use out of state grapes.

A solution for Pierce’s Disease is needed to overcome a major barrier to the industry.

Texans consume 37 million gallons of wine - Texas wineries produce 2 million gallons.

Texas Pride - surveys show that 90% of Texans would prefer to buy a Texas product, if available on equal basis.

Texas market share is growing - 5.3 percent (up 20 percent), but Texas wines can be hard to find - ask for Texas Wines!