Table of Contents
100% Texas Grown Emblem Update – Program Now Available
Association Administration
- Board Elections Results
- Member Meeting
- Board Meeting
- AVA Rule Making at TTB
- TWGGA Classifieds
Annual Conference
- Five Educational Tasting Breakout Sessions
- Beware of Scam to Sell Conference Lists
- TWGGA Regional Town Hall Meetings at Annual Conference – Request for Discussion Topics
Legislative and Regulatory
- Texas Legislature Online – Public Information on Bills Filed
- Texas Wine Tasting at the Capitol – March 4
- Upcoming Pertinent Dates for the 86th Legislative Session
Lone Star International Wine Competition
- Grapevine Wine Pouring Society
Miscellaneous
- 2019 Texas Non-Commercial Wine Competition Call for Wines
100% Texas Grown Emblem Update – Program Now Available
The Board of Directors is proud to announce the official launch of the 100% Texas Grown Emblem program. Over 20 wineries of varying size expressed interest in the launch of the program and provided feedback on documents and the structure of the program. The board voted to approve the program for use by all members of the industry AND voted on the fee structure.
To request a copy of the Certification Agreement and the Annual Enrollment form, please e-mail dacota@twgga.org. The Certification Agreement covers the structure and expectations of the program and the enrollment form assists in getting your payment processed and labels registered in the program. You will need to provide a list of products that you would like to enter in the program and an electronic copy of the TTB COLA for each of those products.
Use of the emblem is only permitted after submitting documents and payment. Permission will be granted through an e-mail from TWGGA. A standards committee of industry peers will be formed to handle document review and permission.
Once $1,000 in fees have been collected, the 100% Texas Grown web page will be created and launched. Once an additional $2,000 of fees have been collected, limited paid, social media and online promotions will begin. Continued promotional efforts will be determined by funding and the effectiveness of initial promotional purchases. A promotions committee will be formed to make decisions about expanded promotional efforts.
Association Administration
Online ballots closed at 10 p.m. on January 31. The tally of votes was certified by Past President, Dusty Timmons. Thank you to all the candidates. There is much to do in TWGGA’s near future and everyone will be called upon for committee work regardless of election outcomes.
The following are the 2019 election results:
- President-Elect – Patrick Whitehead, Blue Ostrich Winery & Vineyard
- Secretary – Glena Yates, Spicewood Vineyards
- Treasurer – Clark Hornbecker, Eden Hill Winery
- Director At-Large – Julie Kuhlken, Pedernales Cellars
- Region 2 Vineyard Director – Susan Steger, Tara Winery and Vineyards
- Region 2 Winery Director – Gabe Parker, Homestead Winery
- Region 4 Vineyard Director – Dusty Evans, Sprayberry Farms
- Region 4 Winery Director – Mark Tyler, Tyler Farms & Vineyard
The Annual Member Meeting of the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association will take place on Thursday, February 21 at 9 a.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center. Members and visitors are welcome.
The TWGGA board of directors will meet on Wednesday, February 20 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in San Marcos, Texas. Both former and newly elected board members will be present. Board meetings are open to the public. Visitors wishing to address the board should e-mail dacota@twgga.org.
TTB Proposed Rulemaking on Labeling
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is proposing to amend its regulations governing the labeling and advertising of wine, distilled spirits, and malt beverages. To read more: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2018-11-26/pdf/2018-24446.pdf
Annual Conference
For the most up to date conference information and to register for the conference visit: https://www.txwines.org/annual-conference-2019.
Five Educational Tasting Breakout Sessions to be Held During Annual Conference
The following breakout sessions will take place during the annual conference and include educationalwine tastings. Space is limited and requires a reservation. Once you’ve registered for the Annual Conference, e-mail katie@twgga.org about availability.
Thursday, February 21 11:30 a.m.
Tempranillo Varietal Tasting – A Winemaker and Grape Grower Panel Discussion
Moderated by Penny Adams, Wedding Oak Winery
Todd Webster, Brennan Vineyards; Presley Whitehead Davies, Blue Ostrich Winery; Patrick Whitehead Blue Ostrich Winery; David Kuhlken, Pedernales Cellars; Neal Newsom, Newsom Vineyards; Bob Young, Bending Branch Winery
Friday, February 22 10:30 a.m. and Saturday, February 23 at 10:30 a.m.
New PD Resistant Grapes: A Wine Tasting by Jim Kamas and Brianna Hoge, Texas Agrilife Extension
Friday, February 22 3:30 p.m.
Food and Wine Pairing to Maximize Tasting Room Profitability by
Dr. Carl Hudson and Jesse Barter, 4.0 Cellars
Saturday, February 23 at 2:30 p.m.
Albarino Varietal Tasting – A Winemaker and Grape Grower Panel Discussion
moderated by Penny Adams, Wedding Oak Winery
Ryan Thomas, Wildseed Farms Vineyard; Seth Urbanek, Wedding Oak Winery; Greg Bruni, Llano Estacado Winery; Neal Newsom, Newsom Vineyards; Mei Newsom, Newsom Vineyards; Brad Buckelew, Lost Draw Cellars; Bree Nelson, Republic Vineyards
TWGGA Regional Town Hall Meetings at Annual Conference – Request for Discussion Topics
Regional Town Hall Meetings will be hosted at the Annual Conference on Thursday, February 21 at 2 p.m. These meetings will facilitate member feedback on a wide range of topics pertinent to the industry’s strategic growth. Please respond to this e-mail with suggested topics for the Regional Town Hall Meetings.
Beware of Scam to Sell Conference Lists
TWGGA does not sell lists of conference attendees or exhibitors. Anyone who offering to sell a list of TWGGA attendees or exhibitors is not associated with TWGGA.
Legislative and Regulatory
Texas Legislature Online – Public Information on Bills Filed
The State of Texas offers a free service to the public – Texas Legislature Online (TLO) https://capitol.texas.gov/
TLO is a portal that allows the user to follow activities during the Texas legislative session. Users can search bills in multiple ways, track the progress of bills and search current Texas statutes. Live and recorded video coverage of committee and House and Senate floor proceedings are also available. TWGGA highly encourages members to become familiar with and use this valuable service.
Texas Wine Tasting in the Capitol
On Monday, March 4, 2019, The Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association will host a wine tasting for house and senate members and staffers and other state government officials. The first 20 wineries to respond to Kyle Frazier at jkf1@texas.net will represent the industry at this tasting. This is not a ticketed event and it is expected that wineries will donate the wine they are pouring.
Upcoming Pertinent Dates for the Upcoming 86th Legislative Session
March 4th TWGGA Wine Day at the Capitol
March 8th Last day to files bills and resolutions
May 27th Last day 86th Legislative Session (Sine Die)
Lone Star International Wine Competition
The Board of Directors of the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association expresses their deepest appreciation to the Grapevine Wine Pouring Society for their continued support of the Lone Star International Wine Competition. Special Events Chair for the Society, Tom Reynolds, has distributed the call for volunteers for the 2019 competition and positions are being filled.
For more information about the Grapevine Wine Pouring Society: https://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/partners-locals/wine-pouring-society
Miscellaneous
2019 Texas Non-Commercial Wine Competition
Entries are now being accepted for the 2019 Texas Non-Commercial Wine Competition. Entry forms and wines must be received by Monday, May 13. Awards announced on Saturday, June 8. For additional information and to access the entry form: https://www.txwines.org/texas-non-commercial-wine-competition