Ron Bates
Texas Department of Agriculture
May 2007

The intricately staked rows that line Texas Wine Country might look like vineyards, but they're carrying a message right out of Field of Dreams.

If you bottle it, they will come.

And they do - thousands upon thousands of tourists head to Texas wineries, festivals and tasting rooms each year to talk wine, taste wine and take home a vintage bottle from the fifth-largest wine-producing state.

When you're in the market for relaxing with a glass of award-winning wine, the Texas Department of Agriculture invites you to sample the best of a thriving industry with a product that's attracting media attention by the barrels.

"Texas wine has an economic impact of almost a billion dollars a year, and tourism is an important part of the industry," Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said. "Wineries are tremendous attractions that help feed the customer streams of other businesses in the state, a benefit that is particularly helpful to our rural communities."

According to a January report compiled by MKF Research, more than 800,000 wine tourists visited Texas in 2005. That total is growing as the state's wine industry expands. So are revenues. The Travel Industry Association notes that wine tourists spend, on average, $973 per trip - a quarter of that on wine-specific activities.

"We're part of the tourism industry," said Chad Auler, vice-president of Fall Creek Vineyards. "People want to come see our wine country just like they do in California and other places. We get people from all over Texas and surrounding states who are here enjoying the lakes and the Hill Country scenery. And we get a lot of visitors from states that aren't on our border - Florida, California and all parts in between."

In some rural regions, wineries band together to maximize their visitor appeal. The Hill Country Wine Trail, for example, offers a "passport" program with special incentives that encourage tourists to visit 21 member wineries throughout western Central Texas.

The trail has inspired a similar program in North Texas. The Munson Wine Trail, named for legendary Denison viticulturist Thomas V. Munson, is a newly aligned tour of 12 wineries located north of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Trail members hold their first joint event in early June on the square in McKinney.

Larry Dority, owner of Paris Vineyards and an inaugural member of the Munson trail, said that while the concept is good for individual wineries, the advantages are far-reaching.

"It's not just the wineries that benefit," he said. "It helps a lot of businesses - everything from restaurants to retailers to motels."

Wineries also find creative ways to attract tourists independently. In addition to tours and tastings, many offer live music, wine dinners and on-site lodging. Raymond Haak, owner of Haak Vineyards near the Gulf Coast, said his winery advertises regularly, purchases a hotel directory listing and belongs to the local chamber of commerce.

"But in the end, my gut feeling is that what attracts tourists to wineries mainly happens from word-of-mouth." he said.

A few years ago, on the advice of a friend, Haak started collecting e-mail addresses from visitors. Today, more than 7,700 people receive the winery's e-zine, the majority of them living less than 90 miles from his business.

"It's great," he said. "It's like being part of a little community where everybody drinks wine and everybody wants to know all about it."

Texas is a wine-tourist haven with more than 100 wineries in operation. The state has enhanced its credentials as a wine destination with a number of high-profile events like the Saveur Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival, Grapefest and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition.

"These events not only attract tourists, but also they provide fantastic exposure for Texas wine," said Bobby Champion, Jr., Texas Department of Agriculture state coordinator for wine marketing. "In many cases, people who try a Texas wine will seek out restaurants and retailers who carry it. The economic benefits continue to multiply."

For a listing of Texas wineries and more information about Texas wine tourism, contact Bobby Champion, Jr. at (866) 4TX-WINE or visit http://www.gotexanwine.org/. 

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David Glessner
Texas Department of Agriculture
December 2006 

The toast of the holidays and a year-round favorite thanks to more than 110 Lone Star State wineries, Texas wines are as varied as the people who enjoy them. And just as certain wines pair better with certain foods, various Texas vintages often pair better with particular personalities.

With that in mind, the Texas Department of Agriculture and its GO TEXAN wine program invite you to play matchmaker. Are you buying a cabernet for a cabernet? A merlot for a merlot?

How well do you know your favorite wine drinker? How well do you know yourself?

Find your wine personality below and then find the telling traits of your favorite wine recipient.

When it comes to great-tasting Texas wines, we may find we are what we drink.

The Cabernet: You're bold and you're strong, but with a warm side that only comes out once we've gotten to know you. Same goes for that bone-dry sense of humor. It's no wonder the sophisticated set loves you - not that you care. You're just as happy at home with backyard burgers as you are at a banquet with filet mignon. If you were a car, you'd be a classic - but not the kind people are afraid to touch. You've got some power, and you were born to use it.

The Merlot: There's a mystical side to you, slightly mischievous, but that only makes you the life of the party. The fact that we can't really know everything about you makes you all the more intriguing. It's just so hard to nail you down - sometimes you're subtle, other times you're adventurous. If we could forget about you we would, but who are we kidding? You had us at "hello."

The Pinot Noir: There's no getting around it. You're difficult. You're demanding. But oh, oh, oh so worth it. You're the kind who has to have things just "so" before you're willing to open up and share your secrets. But we don't mind going to a little extra effort. The way you see it (and we tend to agree), that doesn't mean you're a prima dona - it just means you're great.

The Muscat Canelli: There's just one word to describe you - sweet. Of course, you're deeper than that, but there's no denying that's the overwhelming characteristic that makes you, well, you. Still, you're no lightweight. If we could spend real, quality time with you, we'd discover your true nature. 

The Port: Look at you, Smooth Operator. You are so silky sleek you don't walk into a room, you glide. You appreciate sophistication, but you're anything but stuffy. There is a refinement in the way you express yourself. If one is willing to take a step up the ladder, they'll find you're happy to meet them halfway. That's because, once you get past the stately surface, you're just as sweet as you can be.

The Shiraz: You know who you are - the toast of the town. You're boisterous - make that joyous - and you light up a room just by walking into it. Your motto? Life is too short to be a wallflower. Of course, there's no danger of that happening to you. So what if you're not to absolutely everybody's taste? Those who really know you don't just like you - they honestly, insistently, unconditionally love you.

The Riesling: Still waters run deep. No, you're not the showy type. You're a little more reserved. You're the perfect friend. You're comfortable, and yet - you still surprise us now and then. And if we found ourselves stranded on a desert island, we can imagine growing tired of just about anyone after a while - but we'd never grow tired of you.

The Chenin Blanc: You're from Texas, right? We knew it the minute you came in. There's just a trace of that delightful accent. It makes you a little spicy. And then there's that slightly southern way you present yourself - cultured without being pretentious. Nobody can accuse you of not being completely down-to-earth. There's nobody we'd rather hang out with on a Saturday night.

The Blush: Hey there! No need to put on airs, you're exactly what you seem to be and everybody - I mean EVERYBODY - likes you (whether they choose to admit it or not). Oh, you're not likely to dine with royalty anytime soon, but that's their loss. You've got a good heart and a pleasant disposition, and you just make people feel so good. What's wrong with that?

The Chardonnay: It's hard to describe you, but if we had to put a label on it, we'd say that you're totally, completely, heartwarmingly pristine. There's something absolutely pure about you. And while you seem lighthearted, there is a certain elegance in the way you hold yourself. We wouldn't be surprised in the least to find you charming heads of state one day - and the next, swinging a picnic basket on your way to a beachfront getaway for two.

The Gewurtztraminer: It's true, you make no attempt to fit in with the crowd - but that's only because that's the way you like it. How boring to be like everybody else! You're having too much fun being the outsider. But at the right time, in the right place, you know how to grab the spotlight. And maybe that's exactly where you belong.

Did You Know?

So you've figured out what wine pairs with what type of personality, but did you also know?

• "Texas is the fifth-largest wine producing state in the nation and one of the fastest growing wine regions on earth," said Bobby Champion Jr., TDA's state coordinator for Texas wine marketing. "Look at a map - it's a big state with varied terrain and every climate you can imagine. And in every part of Texas, they're making premium wine. Every label is unique, and there's a Texas wine to satisfy any taste. The secret's out - this state makes truly amazing wines."

No wonder they say Texas wine people are the best people in the world. Learn more about your favorite Texas wine and how to have it shipped right to your door at www.gotexanwine.org/.

Ron Bates
Texas Department of Agriculture
November 2006 

For some Texans, Thanksgiving means hours of preparation, a lengthy list of ingredients, agonizing over the results - and that's just to select the wine.

With its diverse offering of flavors and seasonings, the Thanksgiving feast can present one of the year's most challenging wine pairings. But whether your bird is slow-roasted or deep-fried, whether your stuffing is sticky-moist or bone-dry, experts say pairing turkey-day favorites with the perfect Texas wine is as easy as pumpkin pie.

"It's all in how you look at it," Merrill Bonarrigo, owner of Messina Hof Winery & Resort, said. "As we see it, with all the Thanksgiving flavors on the table, you can do many different wines successfully. We'll do two or three different wines with the same entree in the same course. That way, you can have a white wine lover enjoying the same dish as a red wine lover."

By offering more than one wine, a host can appeal to different tastes and encourage guests to try new wines. A Texas Gewurtztraminer, Bonarrigo explained, is a good choice for the subtler flavors on the table, while a Texas Shiraz pairs well with the spicier foods.

At Torre di Pietra Winery, owner Ken Maxwell likes the idea of having a fruity, semi-dry Texas Gewurtztraminer on the table, though he said a strong argument can be made for a Chenin Blanc.

"Wine and food pairing is based on individual taste, so it's nice to offer a variety of wines," he said. "But the tradition is to serve a white wine with your turkey dinner."

Kevin Williamson, owner of the popular Austin eatery Ranch 616, thinks there's a place at the holiday table for the darker hued wines as an alternative choice as long as a white is still in the picture. For his Thanksgiving gathering, Williamson is serving a Texas Viognier and a Texas Claret, the latter being a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Petite Verdot and Malbec versatile enough to pair with a wide range of foods.

Still, he said, the process doesn't need to be complicated. If you're unsure, simply choose your favorite wine.

 "Instead of worrying about choices, make a decision and convince everyone that's exactly what they should be having," Williamson said.

This year, Texans are discovering it's easier to get their favorites. Williamson said a recent lifting of restrictions on wine shipping and online sales allow even faraway Texans to come "home" for the holidays.

"You've got displaced Texans like my friends in New York who might want to show off a little and introduce their guests to something new. Now, they can get on the Internet, place an order, and show them that Texas has some really good wines," Williamson said.

Texas is the nation's fifth largest wine-producing state and the holidays are a peak period for wine sales. Little wonder that, in spite of its pairing perplexities, Thanksgiving remains a perennial favorite of Texas winemakers.

"The Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving, there's a ton of wine purchased," Chad Auler, vice-president of Fall Creek Vineyards, said. "It's a big travel time with families getting together. And when people come together, sharing good wine and good food go hand in hand."

Still looking for that classic turkey-day pairing? Here are a few guidelines:

As a rule, avoid very heavy wines that will overpower the food

Choose a Texas wine that complements the strongest flavor on the plate (think spicy dressing and cranberry sauce)

Select a wine with a little residual sugar and lower tannins if you're serving several spicy or sweet dishes

Check your guest list-sometimes it's easier to pair wine with people than with food

Consider serving different wines with the appetizers, entrees and desserts

Open two or three Texas wines at dinner to give your guests more options

For additional pairing information and a contact list of Texas wineries, go to http://www.gotexanwine.org/, or call the Texas Department of Agriculture at (866) 4TX-WINE.

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Holiday Texas Wine Pairings

Thanksgiving dinner is a smorgasbord of opportunities for pairing with Texas wines. As a holiday, it's a chance to open a sparkling wine or pour a festive rosé. The following are popular Texas pairings for the traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

White Wines
Texas Johannisberg Riesling
Texas Pinot Gris
Texas Sauvignon Blanc
Texas Viognier
Texas Gewurtztraminer
Texas Chenin Blanc
Texas Muscat Canelli

Red Wines
Texas Pinot Noir
Texas Claret
Texas Zinfandel
Texas Shiraz (Syrah)
Texas Medium-bodied Cabernet
Texas Merlot

For information on Texas wines and wine pairings, go to http://www.gotexanwine.org/, or call the Texas Department of Agriculture at (866) 4TX-WINE.