The Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association and the Texas Wine Marketing Research Institute collaboratively hired MKF Research – the country’s premier market researcher for the wine industry – to update the economic impact numbers of the Texas wine and grape industry. 

The final report assessed the 2007 total economic impact of the Texas wine and grape industries at $1.34 BILLION (yes, that’s billion), a 35% increase over 2005. 

For a copy of the full report, click here.  For a synopsis and comparison between 2005 and 2007, click here.

Call for Texas Wines....

Throughout the year, we call upon sommeliers, wine educators and recognized wine experts to recommend Texas wines that we will feature at media events, consumer tastings, Twitter Tastings, etc. that promote Texas wine. With so many wineries opening up across the Lone Star State, it's hard to keep track of all the great wines being produced. Now is your chance to put your best wines forward and have them critiqued and evaluated by industry professionals; we simply want to market the showcase the best wines in Texas.

Please see the attached survey for more detailed instructions and remember, the wines must be Texas fruit and come from a Texas AVA! Click Here for Survey

Notice Regarding Percentage Volume of Texas Grapes Required by Texas Alcohol Beverage Code 16.011

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, Section 16.011 (Section 16.011), establishes an exception to the bar on the sale of alcoholic beverages in dry areas for wineries that sell or dispense wine that contains seventy five percent (75%), by volume, of Texas grown grapes or fruit.  Texas Agriculture Code, Section 12.039 (Section 12.039), provides that the commissioner of agriculture may reduce the percentage by volume of fermented juice of grapes or other fruit grown in this state that wine containing that particular variety of grape or other fruit must contain under Section 16.011.  The commissioner has received a report from the Texas Wine Marketing Research Institute (TWMRI), Texas Grape Production and Demand Report 2010 (Report), as provided for in Section 12.039.  The Report issued by the TWMRI is based in part on responses to surveys sent to Texas wineries, and other research.  The Report does not include information from the annual United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grape production report, which is issued in January of each year.  Upon review of the TWMRI Report, and the recommendation made in the Report, the commissioner has determined that there is sufficient information to set the percentage of Texas grown grapes and fruit that is required to be in wine produced by wineries located in dry areas of Texas at seventy-five percent (75%), the percentage required by Section 16.011, to for the 2011 calendar year. Click here to read more....

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is pleased to announce the competitive solicitation to award 2011 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program - Farm Bill (SCBGP-FB) funds for projects that enhance the competitiveness of Texas specialty crops.

Click here to visit the Texas Register for information on the 2011 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Request for Proposals (RFP).  You will also find the 2011 Specialty Crop Application Form ER-121 and Project Narrative template.

Please take note of the due date for proposals to be submitted is March 18, 2011.

For questions regarding submission of the proposal and TDA documentation requirements, please contact Ms. Mindy Fryer, Grants Specialist, at (512) 463-6908 or by email at grants@TexasAgriculture.gov.

Throughout the year, we call upon sommeliers, wine educators and recognized wine experts to recommend Texas wines that we will feature at media events, consumer tastings, Twitter Tastings, etc. that promote Texas wine. With so many wineries opening up across the Lone Star State, it's hard to keep track of all the great wines being produced. Now is your chance to put your best wines forward and have them critiqued and evaluated by industry professionals; we simply want to market the showcase the best wines in Texas.

Please see the attached survey for more detailed instructions and remember, the wines must be Texas fruit and come from a Texas AVA!

Thanks for your help and consideration...

Sincerely,
Bobby Jr.

Cheers Y’all - A Toast to Texas Wine

New Book by Stephanie Wetherill provides a fun and fascinating look at Texas wine. The book highlights the surprising role Texas has played in the evolution of wine throughout the world and shows how to discover your own favorite Texas wine. 

Cheers Y’all is available through the author’s website: www.TexasAndWine.com, major booksellers such as Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and Borders, Texas wineries including McPherson Cellars in Lubbock and Homestead Winery in Grapevine and gift shops throughout the state.  Visit the author’s website for a list of upcoming book signings.  

Texas Wine Industry Development & Marketing Advisory Committee for terms beginning in 2011 now be accepted

The Texas Deparment of Agriculture is now seeking applications for Texas Wine Industry Development and Marketing Advisory Committee for terms beginning in 2011.

The Texas Wine Industry Development and Marketing Advisory Committee (Committee) is appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture (Commissioner) pursuant to the Texas Agriculture Code, Section 50b.002 and is established within the Texas Department of Agriculture (the department) to assist the Commissioner in developing a long- term vision and marketable identity for the wine industry in the state, and assist the Commissioner in establishing and implementing the Texas Wine Marketing Assistance Program under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 110.002. 

Applications will be accepted until January 31, 2011. Click here for the Application Instructions and Fill-In Application.

Interim Report on 2,4-D

As previously reported, the Texas Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs was charged by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst with studying, “the impact of windblown herbicides on grape growing and other agricultural production.  Make recommendations for improving the safety and quality of Texas agricultural products.”  In May 2010, the committee hosted a hearing to collect feedback from parties concerned with the issue.  To watch the committee hearing, follow this link and select the May 24th Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Meeting by clicking on the date.  http://www.senate.state.tx.us/avarchive/?yr=2010&mo=05.

To read testimony given by Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association representatives, click the following links:
Cliff Bingham, Bingham Family Farms, TWGGA President
Greg Bruni, Llano Estacado Winery, TWGGA Member
Lou Bright, General Counsel, TWGGA

To read written comments submitted by Dr. Ed Hellman, viticulture specialist, Texas Agrilife Extension Service, please click here.

Others who testified at the committee hearing were the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas Agricultural Aviation Association.

After hearing testimony, the committee recommended creating a mapping system whereby people who purchase 2,4-D can be notified of potentially sensitive crops in their area.  To read the full report click here.

With questions, please contact Dacota Haselwood, chief governmental affairs officer for the Association at 210/867-2576 or dacota@twgga.org.

Gulf Coast Vineyard Update: December 2010 Newsletter

Click here for the December 2010 Gulf Coast Vineyard Update Newsletter. Growth in the Gulf Coast wine industry is strong.
In this issue:
1) Gulf Coast regional grape acreage survey 2010
2) Soil moisture management for dormant grapevines
3) Calendar of upcoming viticulture & enology events 

The Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association, with the help of several members, has developed a new name and marketing campaign for a type of Texas wine entitled Portejas®. Members of TWGGA can use the Portejas® name on selected bottlings by entering into a licensing agreement with the TWGGA.  What is Portejas®?  Essentially, it is a Red or White wine made primarily from Texas grapes and either fermented or fortified above 14% alcohol.   Members who use the Portejas® name in their labeling agree to pay TWGGA a small licensing fee of $1 per case, up to $500 per calendar year in which the wine was made.

The goal is to grow the Portejas® brand so that it becomes recognizable all over the State of Texas and beyond.  Click here for the complete licensing agreement.   You can help support the Association by using the Portejas® name and creating name recognition  “For Texas” in your region.  It’s a great opportunity to promote a product that is uniquely Texas, showcases your great wine, and helps TWGGA at the same time.

Thank you to Monty Dixon of Bar Z Wines for the Portejas® idea and name, and to Dave Stacy of Circle S Vineyards for helping with the paperwork and registered trademark.  Call Jodie Post ffor more information, 817-424-0570 or email at jodie@twgga.org.

Handling and Marketing of Perishable Commodities

Rick Garza, Coordinator for Commodity Programs with the Texas Department of Agriculture, spoke at TWGGA’s recent annual conference on the importance of being properly licensed in the handling and marketing of perishable commodities.  "Perishable commodity," for purposes of this license, means "fresh produce grown in Texas and generally considered a perishable vegetable or fruit." The term "handle" includes buying for resale, selling, offering to sell, processing, acting as a broker for, or shipping for the purpose of selling.

 The following link outlines the details of the program, and includes the necessary forms and contact information within TDA. 

http://www.agr.state.tx.us/agr/program_render/0,1987,1848_5610_0_0,00.html?channel=5610
For additional information, contact Rick Garza at (512) 936-2430, or Rick.garza@TexasAgriculture.gov

Click Here for the TWGGA Position Paper on the Perishable Commodities

TV Munson Enology Program - Fall 2010 Course Schedule

A new dimension has been added to the TV Munson Viticulture Enology Program through state funds provided by the Texas Department of Agriculture. The Munson Program at Grayson County College was awarded funds to provide training seminars in enology at sites across the State of Texas. The following schedule provides information on the seminars that will be held at vaious times and sites during the spring semester.

For more information on the Fall schededule and how to register - click here.