By Connor Brown at The Grapevine
It is hard
to avoid the elephant in the room. For many of us, things are far different
than they were at the beginning of the year. In just a short amount of time, many
of us have experienced unprecedented changes and are still overcoming
challenges adjusting to this “new normal”. However, Texans are notoriously
resilient, and during these times we are all doing our part to keep each other
safe, healthy, and happy. Among us, are wine makers, grape growers, and
thousands of others in the industry that are fighting to keep doors open and to
help our beautiful state recover. Therefore, while being our best selves and
taking proactive measures to stay safe, it has now become our urgent duty to
help one of our oldest and reliable industries and drink up as much Texas wine
as possible.
Texas history is deeply rooted in
wine and begins as early as 1662 with a vineyard established by European
missionaries. These vineyards became more abundant as our historical churches
and missions began to be constructed and the demand for communion wine
increased. In the mid-19
th century, the French world of wine was in
peril as a massive phylloxera (invasive, vine-thirsty insect) problem wiped out
over 25% of vines planted in France. This required a Texas sized solution, and
with the help of Thomas Volney Munson, the French wine industry was saved.
Thomas Volney Munson was a scientist who discovered that American vines had
become immune to the pest. Through extensive research, he determined a specific
grape grown near Temple, Texas would have the most success being grafted and
grown in southern France due to the soil. Mr. Munson became the second American
to receive the Chevalier du Mérite Agricole (Order of Agricultural Merit)
behind Thomas Edison. By 1883 Frank Qualia opened Val Verde Winery in Del Rio
which roared through the 20s and stayed optimistic through the Depression of
the 30s to become the oldest winery in Texas today. Through their perseverance
and the support of their community, Val Verde helped pave the way for countless
other growers and producers in our state that helped create a wave in the 1970s
when the industry saw its largest growth. Between 1975 and 1985, some of the
biggest names including McPherson, Messina Hof, and Fall Creek produced their
first vintages, and have since produced hundreds more and inspired new wineries
as Texas ranks among the top in the country for wine production and consumption.
Make no mistake, the Texas wine
industry is as strong as ever with over four hundred wineries, over four
thousand acres of planted vines, and booming business worth at least thirteen
billion dollars. In fact, The Hill Country alone is the second largest AVA
(American Viticultural Area) in the country and is home to over 50
wineries. However, these impressive
figures do not grant immunity to freak events like pandemics, and wineries are
still counting on us to enjoy their wine so they can keep making it. So, as we
remember do our part in everything else, let us not forget to support our
neighbors so they can continue to support us.
