Texas Wine Making

Texas has a long history of wine making, mostly by individuals for home and community use. Brought to the state by Spanish, Italian, Czech, and other European immigrants, the modern Texas wine industry was born in the 1970s. Fueled by tradition and research on appropriate wine-growing areas, grape varietals, and production techniques, maverick winemakers started planting and experimenting. Vineyards in the state's eight appellations now grow Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Sangiovese, Syrah, Blanc du Bois, Viognier, and other types of grapes.

Today, Texas ranks in the top five grape- and wineproducing states of the country, with over 220 familyowned vineyards. Most of the grapes and wines are sold and consumed in the state, some at nationally known Texas wine festivals. Wineries dot the Lone Star State. In their tasting rooms, visitors can sample current offerings and speak with staff who are passionate about their wines and Texas wine making. The contemporary industry is independent in approach and proud of its history—like Texas itself.

Featured at the Festival:

Ed and Susan Auler, Tow, Texas
Texas businessman and rancher Ed Auler, started Fall Creek Vineyards with his wife, Susan, in 1975 after a trip to France convinced them that their ranch and parts of the French wine country were remarkably similar in soil, terrain, and microclimate. Hugely successful, the Aulers have been tireless spokespersons for the industry ever since.

Jason Englert, Fredericksburg, Texas
Jason Englert earned his degree in biology from Texas Tech before apprenticing at the Llano Estacado Winery in Lubbock. After the original owner/winemaker died in 2005, Englert became winemaker at Grape Creek Vineyards. Jason makes wines only from grapes of the highest quality. He follows modern and traditional wine-making practices.

Gary and Kathy Gilstrap, Johnson City, Texas
The Gilstraps have a family-run operation, Texas Hills Vineyard, which champions environmentally sensitive ways of growing grapes and producing wine. Gary is winemaker; Kathy runs the tasting room; and their son Dale manages the vineyard. Gary is well-known among his peers for his innovations.

Raymond and Gladys Haak, Santa Fe, Texas
Raymond and Gladys Haak were born and raised in South Texas. They began growing grapes in 1969 as a hobby, experimenting with numerous varietals to determine which would survive the Texas Gulf Coast climate. More than twenty-five years later, they turned their wine- and grape-growing passion into a commercial operation.
 
Jim and Karen Johnson, Bend, Texas
The Johnsons run the only Texas winery dedicated exclusively to warm-climate varietals. Jim, the winemaker, graduated from the University of California at Davis in enology and returned to his home state to work at several well-known wineries before opening his own Alamosa Wine Cellars in 1999. His wife, Karen, serves as harvest-crew boss every summer.

Kim McPherson, Lubbock, Texas
Kim McPherson's father founded Llano Estacado Winery in Lubbock in 1976. Kim returned to the winery as winemaker after completing the enology and viticulture program at the University of California at Davis. He created the McPherson Cellars label in 2000 and will open his own winery in Lubbock this summer.

Guy Stout, Houston, Texas
Guy Stout knows the Texas wine business—growing grapes (in his Central Texas vineyard), wine distribution, and the fine art of wine tasting. He is the state's only Master Sommelier, a designation given by the international Court of Master Sommeliers only after someone studies for years.

Caris Turpen, Fort Worth, Texas
Caris Turpen is the owner and winemaker of LightCatcher Winery. Though her first career was in film, she began making wine as a hobby. Deciding on a second career in wine making, she went back to school and got her degree in enology and viticulture. She opened LightCatcher in 2001 and has won numerous awards and acclaim for her wines.

Justin Wiggins, Jacksonville, Texas
Justin Wiggins is an East Texas native with a background in mechanical and chemical engineering. After starting at Kiepersol Estates Winery as a cellar hand and tasting room host, Justin's passion for wine blossomed. His interest in chemistry and microbiology has led him to become Kiepersol's assistant winemaker and cellar master.