IntertWINEd, the Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association’s 2026 Annual Conference & Trade Show, celebrates the interconnectedness that drives the Texas wine industry forward. You’ll discover new solutions for Texas vineyards, elevate your winery and brand strategy, and build connections that drive success during educational sessions across three tracks—vineyard management, winery management, business/marketing—and ticketed tastings, February 23–25 in San Marcos, Texas. 

More details coming soon.

Vineyard/Winery 101
So, You Started a Winery/Vineyard . . . Now What?
2:00 PM–5:00 PM

Maureen Qualia, Texas Tech University; Andreea Botezatu, Texas A&M University; Justin Scheiner, Texas A&M University; Michael Cook, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

This foundational session is designed for those considering starting a vineyard or winery, as well as new operations seeking guidance on best practices for success in Texas. Led by experienced viticulture and enology experts, the course walks participants through the critical decisions involved in launching and managing a wine business.

Topics include vineyard site selection and evaluation, grape varieties and rootstocks, vineyard establishment, labor and equipment needs, as well as winery design, equipment considerations, and business models tailored to Texas growing and production conditions. Attendees will leave with practical insights to help build a strong, informed foundation for their vineyard or winery.

Maureen Qualia is a senior lecturer of enology at Texas Tech University based at the Hill Country University Center in Fredericksburg, Texas. She received a BS in nutrition from the University of Texas at Austin and an MS in enology from California State University at Fresno. Maureen has actively worked in commercial wine production for more than 15 years in both California and Texas.

Dr. Andreea Botezatu is an associate professor and extension specialist in Texas A&M University’s Department of Horticultural Sciences. She received her bachelor’s degree in horticulture with a focus on oenology from the University of Agronomy and Veterinary Sciences “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” in Iași, Romania, followed by a master’s degree in agricultural management from the same institution. She worked as a commercial winemaker in Europe and Canada from 2000 to 2006 before earning her PhD in oenology from Brock University in Ontario, where she also completed a postdoctoral appointment. Since joining Texas A&M University in 2017, Dr. Botezatu has focused on applied research and education to support the Texas wine industry, with research interests including hot-climate winemaking challenges, wine quality and stability, sensory evaluation, and Texas wine consumer attitudes.

Dr. Justin Scheiner is an associate professor and extension viticulture specialist at Texas A&M University and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. His Extension responsibilities include educational programming and technical support for grape growers in areas of Texas affected by Pierce’s Disease. His research program focuses on best management practices for vineyards in Texas, including practices to improve fruit quality, rootstocks and new varieties, and cover cropping.

Michael Cook is the viticulture program specialist for the 55 counties of North Texas (Region II) with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and serves the region’s 120 grape growers and winemakers through educational programming, development of educational materials, and site visits. He is involved in over a dozen applied research trials across the state. He also serves on the National Clean Plant Network Tier II Board and is an adjunct professor for the TV Munson Viticulture and Enology Program at Grayson College.

Vineyard Track
Breeding Grapes for Texas: Hybrid or Highbred
9:00 AM–10:00 AM

Dr. Andrej Svyantek, Texas A&M University

The Texas A&M Grapevine Breeding Program is the newest public grapevine breeding initiative in the United States, with a mission focused on developing grapevine cultivars tailored to Texas growing conditions. The program emphasizes applied research aimed at overcoming key breeding challenges by improving selection accuracy, reducing costs associated with phenotypic evaluation, and shortening breeding timelines.

To meet the diverse needs of Texas growers, the program is assembling a broad collection of grapevine genetic material—from Texas hillsides to global sources—supporting the development of water-use-efficient rootstocks and disease-resistant scions. Through hybridization and strategic trait selection across generations, the program is working to deliver new grapevine cultivars designed to perform under Texas-scale challenges.

Dr. Andrej Svyantek established the Texas A&M Grapevine Breeding Program in the Department of Horticultural Sciences in January 2025. The goals of the program are simple: to serve local farmers through the creation of new crops that meet their unique needs. Svyantek’s efforts seek to marry fruit quality with rugged performance through introgression of grapevine resistance to the common diseases and stresses that shape Texas viticulture. The Texas A&M University Grapevine Breeding Program looks forward to partnering with our grape and wine community in the creation, selection, and production of this new generation of grapevines for Texas.

Winery Track
Trends in Texas Wines: A Conversation With Past TWGGA Presidents
9:00 AM–10:00 AM

Neal Newsom, Newsom Vineyards; Paul M. Bonarrigo, Messina Hof Winery

Hear directly from former TWGGA Presidents as they share insights on the trends influencing Texas wines. Drawing on years of leadership and experience, this discussion will offer perspective on growth, challenges, and what’s ahead.

For more than a century, the Newsom family farmed cotton in the Lubbock area. Facing growing concerns about water availability in West Texas, Neal Newsom began exploring alternative crops and ultimately made the bold decision to plant wine grapes—an uncommon and risky move at the time for the region.

In 1989, just 3 years after planting his first vines, Neal harvested a modest crop that fit in the trunk of his car and delivered it to a winery in Garden City, earning his first check for about $500. Today, Newsom Vineyards is one of the largest wine grape producers on the Texas High Plains, supplying highly sought-after grapes to wineries across the state and playing a key role in the growth of the Texas wine industry.

Paul M. Bonarrigo is a seventh-generation winemaker and lifelong Texan who grew up working alongside his parents, the founders of Messina Hof, in the estate vineyard. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a degree in systems engineering, Paul served as a U.S. Marine Corps Officer with multiple deployments, including leadership roles in Iraq and an overseas assignment in Nigeria. After returning to Messina Hof, he advanced from operations manager to chief executive officer and winemaker in 2012, leading the winery through significant growth and expansion to four Texas locations.

Vineyard Track
EPA Removal of Resources in the Fungicide Toolbox
1:30 PM–2:30 PM

Dr. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia

Recent actions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may significantly affect the availability and use of key fungicides in grape production, including products such as mancozeb, as regulations are updated to align with Endangered Species Act requirements. This session provides an overview of current and anticipated EPA actions and what they mean for grape growers in the coming years. Attendees will also explore mitigation strategies and potential adjustments to fungicide programs, helping vineyards prepare for regulatory changes while maintaining effective disease management.

Dr. Phil Brannen is a professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Georgia. He serves as the extension fruit pathologist for Georgia, conducting research and technology transfer for multiple fruit commodities. His efforts are directed toward developing IPM practices to solve disease issues and t

echnology transfer of disease-management methods to commercial fruit producers. He teaches the graduate-level Field Pathology Course and the History of Plant Diseases and their Impact on Human Societies Course, team-teaches the IPM Course, coordinates the Viticulture and Enology in the Mediterranean Region Course (Cortona, Italy), and guest lectures in numerous other courses throughout the year.

Business/Marketing Track
The VINTAGE System™: AI Visibility for the Modern Winery
1:30 PM–2:30 PM

Tim Weinheimer, The Weinheimer Group

In an increasingly competitive and AI-driven marketplace, wineries must be as discoverable as they are distinctive. The VINTAGE System™ introduces a practical, modern framework designed to help wineries strengthen visibility, modernize marketing, and improve direct-to-consumer performance. This session presents a seven-pillar approach—Visibility, Intelligence, Narrative, Technology, Archetype, GEO, and Engagement—that helps wineries audit digital presence, align AI tools with brand voice, integrate tasting room technology, and optimize content for AI-driven search. Attendees will gain actionable, scalable strategies to ensure their winery stands out in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, because in the next era of wine, visibility truly is the new vintage.

Tim Weinheimer is a leading authority at the intersection of wine expertise and AI-driven marketing. With 30 years of experience transforming global brands, Tim’s journey uniquely blends technical wine knowledge with digital innovation. He is actively pursuing the prestigious WSET Diploma through Napa Valley Wine Academy. Tim’s commitment to digital evolution is exemplified by his leadership in award-winning agencies, earning honors as Digital Agency of the Year (2024) and Data-Driven Agency of the Year (2025) by the SABRE North America Awards. His expertise in artificial intelligence and marketing strategy has resulted in numerous speaking invitations, award judging roles, and authorship of pioneering resources—most notably, The Robot Apocalypse | How Brands Can Survive and Thrive in the Age of AI, one of the earliest e-books dedicated to AI and branding.

Ticketed Tasting
Texas Terroir in a Barrel: The Texas White Oak Revolution
1:30 PM–2:30 PM

Dr. Bob Young, Bending Branch Winery

What happens when you age Texas wine in Texas white oak? As the innovator of Texas white oak aging with wines and bourbons, Dr. Bob has unlocked a new dimension of terroir—one that goes beyond the vineyard and into the cellar. In this session, he’ll share the story behind the project, lab analysis revealing how Texas White Oak’s unique chemical profile transforms wine in unexpected ways, and more. But this is more than science. It is an interactive tasting experience. Sample multiple grape varieties aged in Texas white oak and experience the Texas white oak difference. You’ll also learn how to begin using Texas white oak and where it might fit into your current aging program.

Robert W. Young, M.D., MPH., known as “Dr. Bob,” is owner, CEO, and executive winemaker at Bending Branch. He pioneered grape varieties new to Texas like Tannat, and he was the first to bring Souzão, Charbono, Petit Manseng, and Picpoul Blanc to Texas. Dr. Bob blends Old World techniques with innovations like Flash Détente and Cryo-Maceration to amplify the expression of Texas grapes. He was first to use Texas-grown White Oak for aging, and the first three wines released from this program received 98-, 98-, and 96-point ratings. His phenolic research and mentorship have shaped the Texas wine industry.

Vineyard Track
Nursery Stock and Creating Clean Plant Systems
3:00 PM–4:00 PM

Dr. Femi Alabi and Michael Cook, Texas A&M University

Texas is one of the fastest-growing wine and grape industries in the United States. Despite this significant economic impact, Texas currently lacks a formal Clean Plant Program to provide grapevine germplasm that is true-to-type and tested free of targeted pathogens. This session explores the importance of establishing a clean plant system in Texas and how such a program could help mitigate losses caused by graft-transmissible diseases, including viruses, viroids, and mollicutes. Attendees will learn how clean plant programs protect vineyard investments, improve vine health, and reduce the risk of costly disease outbreaks that impact vineyards nationwide and around the world.

Michael Cook is the viticulture program specialist for the 55 counties of North Texas (Region II) with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and serves the region’s 120 grape growers and winemakers through educational programming, development of educational materials, and site visits. He is involved in over a dozen applied research trials across the state. He also serves on the National Clean Plant Network Tier II Board and is an adjunct professor for the TV Munson Viticulture and Enology Program at Grayson College.

Dr. Olufemi J. Alabi is a professor and extension specialist in the Texas A&M University Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology. His program addresses economically important diseases of food crops in South Texas via the conduct of translational research into disease causation, management, and education/outreach to growers, industry stakeholders, and the public. He has received over $2.2 million in competitive grants and funding from commodity groups since Fall 2013 in support of his research and extension program. Alabi has authored 88 peer-reviewed journal articles and three book chapters, and has given over 120 presentations at grower meetings and conferences, among other activities.

Winery Track
Your Rights: Owning a Winery and Navigating Business Issues
3:00 PM–4:00 PM

Stephen Ringquist, Braun & Gresham

Owning and operating a winery requires more than producing great wine—it involves navigating a complex landscape of legal, regulatory, and business considerations. This session provides winery owners and aspiring vintners with essential guidance on protecting their interests, managing risk, and supporting long-term success. Participants will gain practical insights into key topics, such as entity formation, ownership and governance structures, lease agreements, due diligence, and contract best practices. Whether launching a new winery or refining an established operation, this session equips attendees with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions and confidently manage the business and legal aspects of winery ownership.

Stephen Ringquist represents business and real estate clients in a wide range of industries, including ranches, agricultural businesses, wineries, blue-collar industries, restaurants, and retail businesses operating in Texas and across the U.S. His work includes corporate formation, real estate acquisition and leasing, zoning and land use approvals, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) permitting, employment agreements, and mergers, acquisitions, and reorganizations.

Winery Track
Mix It Up: Adding a Distillery or Brewery at Your Winery
9:00 AM–10:00 AM

Kimberly Frost, Martin Frost & Hill

Recent changes to Texas law have created new opportunities for wineries to expand their offerings to include distilled spirits and beer. This session explores what these changes mean for winery operations and outlines practical options for adding spirits and beer in a compliant, strategic way. Attendees will gain an overview of applicable regulations, permitting considerations, and operational impacts, along with insights into how diversified beverage offerings can enhance the tasting room experience and support business growth. This session is ideal for winery owners considering expansion or evaluating new revenue opportunities.

Kimberly Frost, partner at Martin Frost & Hill in Austin, represents wineries, distilleries, breweries, importers, retailers, and those that serve the beverage alcohol industry in Texas and all over the country on federal and state permitting, compliance, labeling, and legislative matters.

Ticketed Tasting
Pierce’s Disease-Resistant Wines: Exploring the Future of Texas Grapes
9:00 AM–10:00 AM

Sergio Cuadra, Fall Creek Vineyards; Erwin Cain, Cidada Ridge Vineyard

Explore Pierce’s Disease–resistant grape varieties and their growing potential in Texas. This session features four wines, with each winery presenting two varieties that demonstrate the progress PD-resistant grapes have made—both in vineyard performance and wine quality. Designed to encourage conversation and shared learning, this tasting provides an approachable setting for growers, winemakers, and industry partners to examine the opportunities and challenges surrounding these varieties. Panelists will share firsthand insights into viticultural and winemaking considerations, discuss quality and marketability, and explore the evolving role of PD-resistant grapes in the future of Texas wine.

Sergio Cuadra has been a winemaker since 1994, bringing decades of international experience to Texas wine. Originally from Chile, he has been part of the Texas wine industry since 2013 and, as of April 2025, is the owner of Fall Creek Vineyards.

Erwin Cain is the grape grower, winemaker, chief cook, and bottle washer at Cicada Ridge Vineyard and Winery in Como, Texas. In his spare time, he is a full-time trial attorney, Bible teacher, and writer. Inspired by the unconventional approach to exploration and innovation of T.V. Munson and the fictional Baron Von Frankenstein, he is on a quest to locate and proliferate new and old varieties of grapes that are suitable for the widely fluctuating climate in Texas and the unique varietals of wine they net.