Texas Wine Overview
Everything’s big in Texas, even the wine industry!
Even though most people don’t associate Texas with wine, the fact is Texas has a vibrant, wide ranging wide industry. North and west of Austin in Hill Country is a Texas wine hot spot, as vineyards flourish in slightly higher elevations. And in suburban Dallas, there’s a town named Grapevine that’s well known in Texas wine circles.
The Texas wine industry contributes almost $1.5 billion of economic impact to the state’s economy, employing thousands of citizens. Winery numbers have exploded in the last ten years and now number almost 250 in the state. And Texas is now one of the top five wine-producing states in America, surpassed only by wine heavyweights California, Washington, Oregon and New York.
Texas is also a prolific grape-growing state. Eight American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) have been designated here, and the state is divided into five geographical wine producing regions. The eight AVAs are located all across the state, from the Texas Panhandle to the western edge of the state near New Mexico, and three in Texas Hill Country. Many of the grapes grown in Texas are hybrid grapes. Common varieties include Norton, Lenoir (also called Black Spanish, a grape native to Texas) and Blanc du Bois. Muscadine grapes are also commonly grown in eastern Texas.
Traditional European wine grapes that do well in Texas soil are Merlot, Syrah, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc and, in particular, Cabernet Sauvignon, which is highlighted at many Texas wineries.
The five major Texas wine-producing regions are Hill Country, West Texas, North Texas, Texas Panhandle and Southeast Texas. Of these, the Hill Country is best known, due to its wineries, spectacular scenery, charming historic towns and Texas barbecue. Elevations are somewhat higher in Hill Country, similar to the Texas Panhandle Region, where many grape varieties thrive. North Texas includes the Dallas-Fort Worth area as well as Grapevine, and it is very popular with wine travelers.
Texas Wine Trails
With 11 wine trails, Texas has a varied choice of opportunities for wine travel lovers. For more information on Texas wine, also visit Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association and TexasWine.com.
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