2015 Grape Statistics By Region – Texas

Click to access tx_wine_grape_varieties_2017.pdf

New Fredericksburg Winery to Watch

Published by Dallas Morning News

4.0 Point Cellars

Wineries pull together to produce 4.0 Cellars

What happens when a handful of out-of-the-way Texas wineries pool their resources? 4.0 Cellars.

Three of the state’s top producers — Comanche’s Brennan Vineyards, Lubbock’s McPherson Cellars and Burleson’s Lost Oak Winery — created the new winery near Fredericksburg.

“The key thing is, you can taste wines from all our wineries,” says winemaker Kim McPherson, “without driving 350 miles to Lubbock or 150 miles to Comanche.”

A tower reminiscent of an abstract duck blind rises above the urban industrial-meets-Texas Hill Country complex on 4 acres in Stonewall, along the popular Fredericksburg Wine Road 290. True to Texas, there’s plenty of room on the front porch as well as in the tasting room.

All the wineries make award-winning wines, including Lost Oak’s 2010 Viognier, which earned double gold earlier this year at the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition.

4.0 will also stock very small lots, such as the McPherson Albariño. McPherson plans to make the first 4.0 wine, a sherry, later this year.

Kim’s daughter, winemaker Kassandra McPherson, works at 4.0. Kassandra’s grandfather, Clinton “Doc” McPherson, is a Texas wine industry pioneer, which makes the McPhersons Texas’ first three-generation winemaking family.

Contact: 10354 E. U.S. 290, Fredericksburg; 830-997-7470; fourpointwine.com

Prospective Wine and Grape Grower Workshop August 10, 2012

WHEN          August 10, 2012 – 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Registration – 8:30 a.m.-9 a.m.

WHERE        Texas AgriLife Extension Service

3033 Bear Creek Dr., Houston (map)

FEE              $150 – Individuals, $250 – Couples

(includes lunch)

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The Prospective Wine Grower Workshop was created by the Texas AgriLife Extension Viticulture team in order to educate those individuals considering planting a commercial vineyard. This one-day educational event consists of a series of presentations that provide an overview of the unique requirements and risks associated with establishment and operation of a commercial vineyard in Texas. The workshop is co-instructed by the Texas AgriLife Extension viticulture advisors.

Workshop topics include:
•  Vineyard Economics
•  Necessary Viticulture Expertise
•  Vineyard Site Considerations
•  Risk Factors
•  Vineyard Labor Requirements

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For more information about this workshop, please contact Fritz Westover (fawestover@ag.tamu.edu).  For questions about registration or payment, please contact Extension Conference Services (agriliferegister@tamu.edu or 979-845-2604).

2011 USDA Grape Report

Click to access pr11611.pdf

The average yields and average price per ton are lower than what I have seen in working with growers in Central Texas. Happily, growers are catching back up to 2005 levels in yeild and acreage. Looks like plantings from 2007-2009 are coming to fruit. We still need more plantings to meet the demand. New varieties are popping up and its great to see the heavy proven fruiters come into production. Central Texas has a long way to go to match the production of West Texas and High Plans. I would love to see more plantings in CTX of Tempranillo, Zin, Syrah, as well as lesser known varieties like Touriga, Mourvedre, Petit Verdot, Barbera. Winemakers can have a hey day with blends of these hot-climate reds.

Go Thirsty

Texas Department of Agriculture Launches New GO TEXAN or Go Thirsty Program

http://www.agr.state.tx.us/agr/media/media_render/0,1460,1848_17053_45415_0,00.html