Texas Wine Region

Travel Guide To Texas Wine Region

Texas is a famous wine region of the USA that has a long history of wine production. Like most things about wine, defining the Texas wine region is a combination of art and science. This beautiful place is home to many native grape varieties that played an important role in providing genetic resistance for rootstocks around the world. Here, you will come across high-quality, rich-texture wines that are part of the American wine culture. Nowadays, the Texas wine region ranks fifth in terms of production, following the wine states of Washington, Oregon, New York, and California.

Find out about Wine Tasting & Tours in Texas to enjoy if you visit the region.

Where is the Texas wine region located?

Texas is the largest state in the South-Central region of the contiguous the United States of America. Due to its size and geologic features, Texas contains diverse landscapes common to both the U.S. Southern and the Southwestern regions. It is divided into three main wine-growing regions with different microclimates that help various types of grapes to grow in this region.

North-Central Texas spans the northern third of the state from the border of New Mexico across the Texas Panhandle and towards Dallas. This includes the Texas High Plains AVA which has the highest concentration of grape growers in the state.

South-Eastern Region includes the area southeast of Austin & San Antonio, including Houston. The far southwest end of this region, along the Mexico–United States border is the state's most senior winery, Val Verde, which has been producing wines for over a century. Also, there is the central-western part known as the Trans-Pecos Region which produces about 40 percent of the state's grapes.

A brief history of the Texas wine region

Texas wine region is one of the oldest wine-growing states in the U.S. Vines have been planted here more than a hundred years before they were grown in Virginia or California. In the 1650s, Franciscan priest Father Garcia de San Francisco y Zǘñiga planted Mission vines in West Texas for the production of sacramental wine.

Thomas Munson used Texas vines to create hundreds of hybrid grapes and instructed numerous researchers in finding immunity to the Phylloxera epidemic, which saved the French wine industry from total ruin. Unfortunately, alcohol prohibition in the United States eliminated Texas' wine industry, which didn't experience a regeneration until the 1970s. The Texas wine industry still feels the consequences of prohibition today with a quarter of Texas' 254 cities still having dry laws.

Grape varieties from the Texas wine region

Texas wine region provides wine lovers with high-quality American wines. These wines are already unique as they are grown in a humid subtropical climate. Covering 268,000 square miles, Texas is home to a range of microclimates suitable for viticulture. Usually, Texas harvests in July, which is about two months sooner than California. When compared to most areas in France, Texas harvest time is three months earlier, which gives this region even more advantage.

The unique climate of Texas gives wines different aromas but also makes growing grapes in this area challenging. With long, hot summers, the occasional harsh freeze, and unexpected storms, winemakers use special grape types that are well-fitted for the Texas region. The fundamental grape varieties grown in Texas are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo have the highest number of plantings in the state, followed by Merlot, Black Spanish, and Blanc du Bois. Texas is also home to Mourvèdre, Sangiovese, Viognier, Muscat Canelli, and Malbec plantings. Over the past decade, the Southeast, and North Texas growing regions of Texas have expanded their plantings of Blanc du Bois and Black Spanish varieties, which are more tolerant of the more humid climates in those areas.

Excellent Texas wines 

Texas wines can be suited to anyone because of their wide variety and excellent taste. As Texas restarts to make more world-class wines, its wineries are being identified with more top awards from world-renowned wine competitions.

Discover wineries in Texas wine region.

Places to Visit in Texas Wine Region

San Antonio

This modern city's history particularly raises its head throughout downtown. In addition to the Alamo, you'll find several other famous missions, all of which are now a part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.  You will come across the beautiful San Fernando Cathedral, which still stands as a testament to the city's spiritual past.

The River Walk, which curves through the Downtown area, is the city's second-most-visited attraction, giving the city an additional nickname of "River City". Lined with numerous shops, bars, and restaurants, as well as the Arneson River Theatre, this attraction is changed into an unforgettable celebration of lights during the Christmas and New Year vacation period.

What's more, San Antonio is a great culinary destination, with a selection of its signature Tex-Mex style and a variety of new barbecue facilities and eclectic upscale eateries.  Don't forget the amazing varieties of Texan wines you can drink. With the array of ways to spend your day, you might have too much to do there.

Austin

Austin is the capital city of Texas, as well as the seat and largest city of Travis County, with portions extending into Hays and Williamson counties. It has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States since 2010. The city is known as the "Live Music Capital of the World," creating more live music venues than anywhere else in the country. If you love listening to great music and attending high-class shows, this city might be the perfect place for you.

Apart from its live music and nightlife, the main reason to visit this city is to enjoy the outdoors. With an average of about 300 sunny days per year and numerous green spaces like Zilker Metropolitan Park, many professionals believe Austin is one of the best places to live in America.

Big Bend National Park

If you are a nature lover, Big Bend National Park is a great place to visit while being in Texas. This is an American national park located in the West part of Texas. The park has national importance as the largest secure area of Chihuahuan Desert topography in the United States. The park protects more than 1,200 species of plants, more than 450 species of birds, 56 species of reptiles, and 75 species of mammals. The area has a wealthy cultural history, from archaeological sites dating back nearly 10,000 years to more recent ranchers, pioneers, and miners.

Every year, roughly 450,000 people visit this national park to spend their free time. Big Bend National Park features numerous dirt roads for scenic drives, as well as 150-plus miles of hiking paths. If you are looking for some exciting activities, Big Bend National Park will not let you down.

Food to Try in Texas Wine Region

Central Texas-Style Barbecue

Texas-style barbecue comes from the Czech and German meat markets in the late 19th century. However, it became so popular in Texas recently. This barbecue type is normally associated with cooking brisket low and slow, usually over the fire.

In the process of cooking, the meat is seasoned with salt, pepper, and maybe a bit of cayenne or garlic powder. It is then cooked in offset smokers while the heat and smoke from the fire go across the meat, adding an irresistible smoky flavor to the brisket.

If you are a meat lover, Texas-style barbecue is a great food to taste while visiting Texas. It is recommended to taste local Texas wine while eating this dish.

Texas Brisket Sandwich

The method of smoking meat has a long custom in Texas, and this juicy, fatty treat also works great as a delicious sandwich packing. Texas brisket sandwiches can be thought more of a vision than a recipe - different toppings and sorts of bread can be used. These variations make the dish even more exceptional.

Sometimes you will notice the meat being folded between slices of bread on a toasted bun. You can even see it served on its own or drenched in sauce, and decorated with toppings such as pickles, cheese, and onions. Every combination of this food says different things about Texas cuisine. While visiting this wine region, don't forget to eat this dish with the accompaniment of Texan Wine.

Fajitas

Fajitas is a famous dish made from grilled skirt steak that is fitted in a wheat flour tortilla. The earliest printed recognition of the word fajita directing to food appeared in 1975. Only after ten years, this dish became one of the most famous foods of Tex-Mex cuisine.

The word fajita is derived from the Spanish faja, meaning girdle or strip. This word means a cheap cut of beef surrounding the diaphragm that was avoided by many locals. In the 1940s, Mexican ranch workers used to tenderize the skirt steak by marinating it in lime juice before cooking.

Today, fajitas can be filled with grilled chicken, vegetables, and shrimp. The most widely used condiments include lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes, cheese, or guacamole. You should taste this dish with the local wines.

Frequently Asked Questions about Texas Wine Region