Grape Camp 2026

Join fellow Texas grape growers, vineyard professionals and industry partners for a full day of practical education, discussion and networking focused on vineyard management and grape growing in Texas. Grape Camp is designed to provide useful, field-focused information for both new and experienced growers, with sessions covering everything from vineyard planning and irrigation to harvest considerations, sustainability and winery-grower relationships.

Friday, October 30, 2026
TAMU-AgriLife
1102 E Farm to Market Rd 1294
Lubbock, TX 79403

Registration: $100
Your registration includes a full day of educational sessions, lunch and our closing wine tasting.

Agenda Overview

Registration
8:00–8:45 a.m.

Session 1 | 8:45–10:15 a.m.

Texas A&M AgriLife Resources for New Growers
8:45–9:15 a.m.
Pat O’Brien

Updates on the One Block Challenge (1BC) for Sustainable Vineyard Practices in Texas
9:15–9:45 a.m.
Colleen Myles, Texas State University
Nick Hillman, Regenerative Ag Solutions

Irrigation Considerations
9:45–10:15 a.m.
Erick Smith

Break
10:15–10:30 a.m.

Session 2 | 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Vineyard Equipment Requirements
10:30–11:00 a.m.
Danny Hillin

Crop Estimation and Other Harvest Considerations
11:00–11:30 a.m.
Topics include crop estimation, Brix, pH and TA, sampling, and basic equipment.
Michael Cook

Building a Vineyard Enterprise Budget
11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Thayne Montague and Team

Lunch | 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Lunch sponsored by Texas Tech University.

Session 3 | 1:00–2:45 p.m.

Harvest Parameters and Phenolic Content
1:00–1:40 p.m.
Kirk Williams

Wine Science Presentation
1:40–2:20 p.m.
Andreea Botezatu, Texas A&M AgriLife Wine Science

Resources and Equipment
2:20–2:45 p.m.

Break
2:45–3:00 p.m.

Panel Discussion | 3:00–4:00 p.m.

Wineries and Vineyards: We Need Each Other!

A conversation focused on strengthening the relationship between Texas grape growers and wineries.

Wrap-Up & Conclusion

Tasting Texas | 4:00–4:30 p.m.

Close out the day with a wine tasting featuring wines made with locally sourced grapes and produced by Texas wineries.