Texas has created a committee to develop and market the Lone Star State's burgeoning wine industry.
By Liz Pearson
|
Thursday, 04 March 2010 |
08:39
You may think it's all big hair and barbecue down south, but Texans are making some of the country's most exciting wines, right under your nose.
With 181 wineries and counting, the Lone Star State ranks fifth in the nation for overall wine production, and last month more statewide support arrived for an industry that employs 9,000 people and has a $1.35-billion impact on the Texas economy.
The new 23-member Texas Wine Industry Development and Marketing Advisory Committee -- timely, if somewhat tiresomely named -- met for the first time to tackle the industry's challenges, the greatest of which is to produce enough Texas-grown grapes to meet the skyrocketing demands. That issue, fueled by the public clamoring for these wines, stems from the relative youth of the industry in Texas and the lead time needed to plant and grow grape vines before they bear fruit for winemaking.
Texas Wineries where commmittee members hang their hats
Becker Vineyards: The estate, owned by Dr. Richard and Bunny Becker, is home to 46 acres of grapevines and a viognier and Iconoclast cabernet sauvignon that garnered mentions in Food and Wine and Bon Appetit magazines.
Fall Creek Vineyards: Started by Ed and Susan Auler in 1975, the winery’s MERITUS (a cabernet sauvignon, merlot and malbec blend) and Granite Reserve cabernet sauvignon are consistent award winners.
Flat Creek Estate: Just outside of Austin, this 80-acre hill country estate and winery is home to 20 acres of vineyards.
Fredericksburg Winery: Run by the Switzer family, this winery has been named one of the top three producers in Texas by USA Today.
Llano Estacado Winery: This is the largest premium winery in the state and the maker of Viviano, an award-winning "Super Texan" blend of cabernet sauvignon and sangiovese.
Messina Hof Winery & Resort: Established in 1977 by Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo, this winery's award-winning chenin blanc, gewurztraminer and cabernet franc are favorites.
Pleasant Hill Winery: Located in Brenham, this is one of seven wineries along the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail.
Sandstone Cellars: Grapes used for the wines from this boutique winery, just off the picturesque town square in Mason, are grown at Mason County Vineyards.
Committee members are appointed by Todd Staples, the state's agriculture commissioner, and hail from all sectors of wine production, including grape growers, vintners, wine sellers and consumer representatives.
"We have unique insight because we are the stakeholders," chuckled committee chairman Cord Switzer, co-owner of Fredericksburg Winery in the Texas Hill Country viticultural area, one of eight such federally approved areas in the state. "It's not about the big city boys. It's about the wine producers, the grape growers who've just been outside in the cold, pruning vines," Switzer said. "This committee isn't made up of people sitting behind a desk. These folks are hands-on."
Bobby Champion, Texas state coordinator for wine marketing, recognizes the importance of Staples' latest move. "The committee will share ideas about marketing priorities and evaluate research and project proposals. They'll balance all fronts," Champion said. "And the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) will work hard to exercise the policy to fulfill their wishes."
Texas cabernet sauvignon and viognier get high marks
Awarding-winning Texas cabernet sauvignon and viognier, among others, are gaining international renown. Backed by a group of saucy industry veterans, infamous for their camaraderie, Texas wines are only getting better, and more widely available. "As a retailer, it's exciting to see not only the passion of the grape growers and winemakers to engage in the development of their product, but also the willingness to come together," said Devon Broglie, specialty coordinator at Whole Foods Market in Austin and the committee's retailer representative.
Said Switzer: "We expect a lot from TDA, and they've stepped up to the plate to the fullest extent. We work at it, but a lot of other industries are kind of jealous of our working relationship. The support that we get from them has been wonderful."
Look out, California. Texas winemakers have a new committee, and they know how to use it.
Liz Pearson is a writer, consultant, food stylist and contributor to the Los Angeles Times, "Every Day With Rachael Ray" and Saveur.
Photos, from top: Grapevines growing in the red dirt of the Texas High Plains. Credit: Texas Wine Industry Development and Marketing Advisory Committee; the committee's chairman Cord Switzer and his wife Sandy. Credit: Texas Wine Industry Development and Marketing Advisory Committee.
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