Overview of the Texas wine region
Texas is a large state with a wide variety of climates and soil types. As such, the exact number of Texas wineries varies depending on who you ask and what their criteria for counting vineyards is. According to some sources, Texas has over 200 wineries, but it’s important to note that many of these are “boutique” wineries that do not have land or equipment of their own—they make wine using grapes grown at other vineyards. The Texas Department of Agriculture claims that there are over 60 commercial vineyards in the state, however.
The main areas producing wine in Texas include the High Plains AVA near Amarillo, The Hill Country AVA near Austin and San Antonio, the North Central region around Dallas/Ft. Worth, and East Texas AVA near Houston. There are also limited amounts of wine being produced in South Texas along the border with Mexico.
While it may come as a shock to those who only know about California’s climate when they think of American viticulture, it can actually be colder than most places in Europe where wine is produced! This allows for classic varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon to grow well here despite its reputation for being best suited to warmer environments like Bordeaux or Napa Valley.
Climate and geography
Texas is a very large state, with a wide variety of climates and terrain. It has a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The state has much suitable terrain for growing grapes, but it is grown in only a fraction of the land area, largely because the population is concentrated in cities. In the United States’ largest state by area, the dry desert lands surrounding El Paso contrast with lush rainforests in the southeastern part of the state. All that being said, however, there are several interesting wine regions to explore in Texas.
History of Texas wine
We hope you’re enjoying our quick tour through the wine regions of the United States.
Texas is our next stop. Though it’s not as well-known for its wineries as some other states, Texas has a long history with wine, and today there are over 350 commercial wineries in the state.
The first grape variety to be grown here was Black Spanish, planted by Franciscan missionaries in Reynosa in 1750. The grapes were used to make sacramental wine, making Texas one of the earliest areas where grapes were grown in what would become the United States. The first commercial vineyard was planted by George Calvert in 1837 on his property near Richmond—today it’s known as Chateau Polonez and produces wines from estate-grown fruit. After Prohibition and an effort to ban home wine production ended up putting many local growers out of business, Texas began its slow recovery process that continues today. In 1976, Bell Mountain Vineyards became the first AVA (American Viticultural Area) designated in the state, followed by four more AVAs: Texoma Lake, Escondido Valley/Hills, Fredericksburg in 1982; and Texas Hill Country in 1983—the highest concentration of wineries within any AVA boundaries in America.
Why go to Texas for wine?
When marketing themselves to the wine enthusiast, states like Texas aren’t exactly known for their alpine peaks and plush coastal vineyards. But what they lack in pure aesthetics, they more than make up for with a strong sense of place. The state’s distinct terroir, along with its many other noteworthy characteristics, makes it an ideal destination for wine lovers looking for something a little different.
One of the biggest draws is its sheer size. From east to west and north to south, Texas spans almost 1,000 miles of varied landforms and climates that are home to no less than 15 recognized American Viticulture Areas (AVAs). These include regions such as the High Plains—the second largest AVA in the country—and West Texas’ Trans-Pecos area—which is one of the hottest growing regions in America. While some areas benefit from cool mornings or coastal influences that temper their heat, others are just plain hot: A degree day number (DDN) comparison between Napa Valley and West Texas reveals that while Napa’s annual average is 2,321 DDNs per year, West Texas clocks in at 2,380 DDNs on average.
Texas appellations, regions, and AVA’s
In Texas, there are many wine regions. Let’s learn about the ones that interest most of us.
- The Rio Grande Valley AVA
The Rio Grande Valley AVA encompasses the land between San Antonio, Tex., and the Rio Grande River in south Texas. It is home to more than 40 wineries and is best known for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel vineyards.
Famous wines and grapes of Texas
Texas produces many of the most famous grapes, including Tempranillo, Mourvèdre, Albariño and Viognier. A Texas wine region is characterized by red-grape varieties such as Sangiovese and Nebbiolo. In the United States, wines made from these vines tend to be grown in cooler climates with more vineyards in warm regions like Napa Valley than in northern California’s Napa Valley.
Texas has a long history of growing grapes for its wine industry. For example, in Texas the state grape is Merlot. This grape has been grown since the 1800s when farmers planted it on their farms to make wine for their families and neighbors.
You’ll be surprised by how much the state has to offer in terms of wine.
You may not expect it, but Texas is a state that is known for its diversity; and that includes wine. Texas has a long history of wine making, with some vineyards dating back to the 1800s. Despite this impressive heritage, as a wine region Texas is still in its infancy. There are several regions in the Lone Star State that are poised to become serious contenders on the international stage. But how will they get there? First off, it’s important to understand where they’ve been and how they got here.