Industry Links

Look for more information on growing wine grapes in Texas, the Texas wine industry and related subjects.

August 17-18, Texas Sommelier Conference , Four Seasons Hotel, Austin

The 2008 Texas Sommelier Conference is a two-day event featuring educational seminars for both wine professionals and the public. In addition to the seminars and lectures, a three-part competition (tasting, service and theory) is held to identify “Texas Best Sommelier”. The five in-depth educational sessions on the first day explore specific wine regions in detail. First-day sessions (fee required) are open to the general public as well as media and wine professionals. Second-day programs (free of charge) are reserved for wine professionals and media representatives. Topics covered include contemporary issues in wine and other items of interest to Texas wine professionals. To make reservations or get more information on sessions, speakers and events, visit www.texsom.com. .

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission

The Wine Society of Texas

Texas Winegrape Network, Texas Cooperative Extension:

Extensive information on production practices, pests, diseases, research and other topics of interest to prospective grape growers.

Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association:

701 S. Main, Grapevine, Texas 76051, (817) 424-0570, fax (817) 251-4329
Organization of growers and winemakers promoting Texas grape and wine production through educational, marketing and legislative activities.

Texas Wine Marketing Research Institute at Texas Tech University:

Fosters the economic development and growth of the Texas wine and wine grape industry, collects and disseminates information and does research on industry-related topics.

Wine Lovers Page:

Lists dozens of books about growing wine grapes and making wine. Included are brief descriptions of the books and their prices. Click on the Kellgren Wine Book Catalog.

Market Update, Industry Structure and the Importance of Brand Identity

UC Davis Symposium Information

Industry Information

The Wrath of Grapes, Lewis Perdue, Avon Books

An inside look at the wine industry and its challenges.

Extension Expands Statewide Viticulture Team

Jan. 29, 2007, LUBBOCK
Writer: Tim W. McAlavy, 806-746-6101, t-mcalavy@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Ed Hellman, 806-746-6101, EWHellman@ag.tamu.edu; Jim Kamas, 830-997-7047, Jkamas@ag.tamu.edu s.

Texas Cooperative Extension continues to expand its statewide viticulture program with the addition of four regional viticulture associates. The new associates serve four distinct regions:
- West Texas: Teresa Burns is stationed in Lubbock at the Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension Center. She can be reached at thburns@ag.tamu.edu or 806-746-6101.
- North Texas: Fran Pontasch is stationed in Stephenville at the Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension Center. She can be reached at fmpontasch@ag.tamu.edu@ or 254-968-4144.
- Hill Country: Penny Adams is stationed in Fredericksburg at the Extension building. She can be reached at psadams@ag.tamu.edu or 830-997-3452.
- Gulf Coast: Fritz Westover is stationed in Houston at the Extension office for Harris County. He can be reached at fawestover@ag.tamu.edu or 281-855-5600.

They will work under the direction of Dr. Ed Hellman, Extension viticulture specialist at Lubbock, and Jim Kamas, Extension fruit specialist at Fredericksburg.

The goal of Extension's Texas viticulture team is to improve wine grape production practices that will enhance the economic impact of the grape and wine industry, Hellman said. Identifying and refining production practices that fit the range of Texas soils and climate should help growers attain more consistent yields and higher quality fruit more efficiently and at a lower cost, he said.

The four new associates will help provide statewide delivery of Extension viticulture education programs and assist Texas growers.

"They will also be responsible for implementing on-farm research projects designed to address local problems," Hellman said. "Those projects will focus on grape variety evaluation, disease control, pest management and irrigation scheduling.

"What we derive from this work will be shared through one-on-one contact with producers, workshops and field days." "Texas Senate Bill 1370 funds our four new associates," Kamas said. "That legislation returns a portion of excise tax on wine products to support the Texas grape industry."