TASTE OF TEXAS TERROIR PRESENTED BY
2026 GRAND TASTING SERIES:
AUSTIN • DALLAS • HOUSTON
THE TEXAS REVOLUTION WHY TEXAS? WHY NOW? Texas is currently the 5th largest wine-producing state in the U.S., contributing over $20 $13 billion in annual economic impact. But the real story is in the terroir. From the volcanic soils of the Davis Mountains to the high-altitude caliche of the High Plains, Texas winemakers are moving away from "international" styles and toward heat-tolerant, site-specific varieties that thrive in our Mediterranean-like climate.
FAST FACTS Grapes to Watch:
Tempranillo, Tannat, Mourvèdre, Vermentino, Picpoul Blanc, and Roussanne.
Growth:
Over 600 500 licensed wineries.
Impact:
Home to some of the oldest vines in North America (Mesilla Valley).
THE 8 AVAS WINE GROWING REGIONS
Texas Wine is not defined by a single terroir. Across eight AVAs, dramatic differences in elevation, soil and climate create distinct growing conditions and an equally diverse range of wines.
TEXOMA AVA
TEXAS HIGH PLAINS AVA MESILLA VALLEY AVA ESCONDIDO VALLEY AVA
TEXAS HILL COUNTRY AVA
TEXAS DAVIS MOUNTAINS AVA FREDERICKSBURG IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY AVA
BELL MOUNTAIN AVA
TEXAS HIGH PLAINS FACTS THE ENGINE
Produces 80% of Texas grapes.
TERROIR
3,000–4,000 ft elevation; "Amarillo Littlefield" sandy loam soil.
TRADE NOTE
Dramatic diurnal shifts ensure high acidity even in peak heat.
TEXAS HILL COUNTRY FACTS THE HEART
Second largest AVA in the U.S. (9M+ acres).
TERROIR
Limestone and granite soils; rugged karst topography.
TRADE NOTE
Look for distinct minerality in white varietals and "Old World" structure in reds.
BELL MOUNTAIN FACTS THE FIRST
Established in 1986 as Texas's first official AVA.
TERROIR
High-elevation sub-section of the Hill Country.
FREDERICKSBURG IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY FACTS THE DISTRICT
A prestigious sub-AVA focusing on premium estate viticulture.
TRADE NOTE:
Home to the highest concentration of award-winning estate labels.
TEXOMA FACTS THE HERITAGE TERROIR
North Texas; home to T.V. Munson, the man who saved the French wine industry. Diverse soils along the Red River; silty loam and clay.
TEXAS DAVIS MOUNTAINS FACTS THE PEAKS
Highest elevation vineyards in Texas (up to 6,000 ft).
TERROIR
Volcanic soils and cool nights.
TRADE NOTE
Produces some of the most elegant, high-acid Cabernet and Bordeaux styles in the state.
ESCONDIDO VALLEY FACTS THE OASIS
Arid, desert terroir in the Trans-Pecos region.
TERROIR
High-pH, calcareous soils.
MESILLA VALLEY FACTS THE ANCIENT TERROIR
Shared with New Mexico; historic home of Spanish Mission grapes. Alluvial soils and intense sun.
DID YOU KNOW? THE STORY OF TEXAS WINE GOES BACK CENTURIES. AND SOME OF ITS MOST SURPRISING CHAPTERS REACH FAR BEYOND TEXAS.
THE TEXAS WINE STORY
The Birthplace of American Wine: Franciscan missionaries planted the first Vitis vinifera (wine) grape cuttings in what would become the United States near El Paso in 1662, more than a century before California's first mission vineyards. Texas has the oldest continuous winemaking history in the country. The State That Saved French Wine: In the late 1800s, a microscopic pest called phylloxera nearly destroyed the entire French wine industry. Denison, Texas horticulturist T.V. Munson supplied phylloxera-resistant rootstock from native Texas grapes that rescued French vineyards. The French government awarded him the Legion of Honor in 1888, and to this day Denison and Cognac, France, are sister cities, with a statue of Munson standing in Cognac's town square.
The Oldest Winery in the State: Val Verde Winery in Del Rio has been making wine continuously since 1883, making it not only Texas's oldest winery but the 9th oldest in the entire United States. It's still family-run today, five generations after founder Frank Qualia planted his first vines. A World-Ranked Estate: In 2025, Hill Country's William Chris Vineyards became the first and only Texas winery ever named to the World's 50 Best Vineyards list, landing at No. 31 globally. An Industry on the Rise: Texas is now home to more than 700 wineries, up from roughly 440 just three years ago, with vineyard acreage growing from about 11,000 to over 14,000 acres in that same span. Extreme Elevation Range: Texas wine country spans elevations from a few hundred feet in Texoma to over 5,000 feet in the Davis Mountains, one of the widest elevation ranges of any wine-producing state in the country.
EXPLORE AND ORDER. Scan the QR code to: View Tech Sheets & Accolades: Explore detailed technical info for the state's top 12 wines. Order Directly: Secure these award-winning offerings for your beverage program immediately.
ANISA ELIZONDO
Wine Marketing Coordinator, Texas Department of Agriculture Anisa.Elizondo@texasagriculture.gov
MATT BOSTICK MC and Wine Specialist
matt.bostick00@gmail.com
Follow the journey: Website: www.UncorkTexasWines.com
@UncorkTexasWines
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