My latest in The Drinks Business:
‘Does Texas have fine wine potential?’
by L.M. Archer
Back in 2014, a burgeoning Texas wine industry struggled to define itself. However, four scrappy Texas Hill Country wineries viewed their futures clearly.
Together, Bending Branch Winery, Duchman Family Winery, Pedernales Cellars, and Spicewood Vineyards formed Texas Fine Wine, a small group with a big goal: elevating Texas terroir worldwide.
“Texas Fine Wine is a critical component of the Texas wine industry, as it helps spread consumer and trade education and knowledge,” says Tommy Wellford, Duchman Family Winery general manager. Drs. Lisa and Stan Duchman founded the winery in 2004 in Driftwood, Tex., near Austin.
“Our mission statement declares our support for Texas agriculture and our grape growers, which is unquestionably so important to our ability to make best-in-class, award-winning wines,” says Wellford. “We are able to promote the top tiers of the Texas wine industries, our AVA’s, and what distinguishes our wines.”
Promotions typically include national and international trade tastings, winemaker dinners, and educational seminars.
High Quality Producers
“Texas Fine Wine is important because it allows four of the highest quality wine producers in the state to join together in marketing, to generate awareness of the quality that can be achieved in Texas,” adds veteran winemaker Dave Reilly of Duchman Family Winery. The winery produces about 20,000 cases annually, distributed to retailers like HEB and Whole Foods.
Smaller members benefit, too. “For a smaller winery like Spicewood Vineyards that is not in distribution, Texas Fine Wine has been a critical part of our marketing efforts to tell our story, and reach those channels of influence,” says seventh-generation Texan Ron Yates, who purchased Spicewood Vineyards in 2007.
While a cohesive bunch, members do vary on grape variety preferences. For example, Duchman Family Winery focuses on Italian varieties. Conversely, Spicewood Vineyards prefers Spanish varieties like Tempranillo. READ MORE HERE.
I’m delighted to share my article on Texas Fine Wine with you here.