LIVE from TWGGA: Texas Wine and Grape Growers Annual Conference
Excitement Regarding Awards, Sparkling Wines, Top Trends
MARCH 4, 2025 SAN MARCOS, TEXAS
LIVE from San Marcos, I am happy to report that for an industry today concerned about consumers drink preferences, it is refreshing to attend TWGGA’s annual meeting this week, an upbeat conference celebrating the great wines of Texas. For two days we are exploring:
*Texas Sparkling Wines: Fizz and Flavor
*Top Wines and Trends
* New Grape Varieties for Texas
*Award-Winning Wineries: Crafting Excellence
*AI: Vineyard to Cart – Enhancing Every Step of the Wine Journey
*Top Tourism Trends
*The Roadmap to Sustainability
TWGGA and Texas Wine Varieties, Stats, and Economics
The Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association promotes the production and appreciation of premium grapes and fine wines from Texas representing a unified state industry with common marketing, governmental, and educational goals. Most people do not know that Texas is the site of the first vineyard established in North America by Franciscan priests circa 1662. Today, Texas has more than 9000 acres of producing vineyards and 700 active winery permits contributing $20.35 billion of economic value to the State of Texas, employing 141,235 full-time jobs, and 2.02 million tourists visit Texas wineries! And why not? The wineries sit is some of the most picturesque areas of Texas and offer tastings of more than 46 grape varieties. Want to know more? Attend the Fall Grape Camp, October 7, 2025 for a hands-on experience.
What Trends Stood Out?
*Texas sparkling wines are making a name for themselves with several standing out like Elisa Christopher Wines and Heath Sparkling Wines. They are using the traditional “Champenoise” methods.
*New disease resistant grape varieties have been released by UC Davis, and we tasted a new one, Paseante Noir
*Influencer marketing is being utilized more and more to connect with new audiences. We explored crafting authentic collaborations and leveraging social media to amplify brand messages.
*Top awarded Texas wines (Double Gold medal) were: red wine: red blends, white wines: Viognier (included competitions like San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition and TEXSOM as examples)
What I am Drinking this Week at TWGGA
2022 Bending Branch Tannat Frizzante Rose $25
Silver medal, 2024 Texas International Wine Competition
2022 Heath Family Adoration Rosé Sparkling wine, $62
Vibrant red fruit aromas with a silky finish.
2023 Eden Hill Winery, Albariño, Texas High Plains $29
96 Points, Lone Star International Wine Competition
2020 Inwood Estates, Magdalena (Bordeaux Style) $120
Proprietary Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot blend
Wine Wanderings Editorial Calendar
The Science of Wine: A Gary Farrell Vineyards and Winery Experience: Demystifying a Wine Tech Sheet
Tablas Creek and the Rhone Rangers of Paso Robles, an Interview with Jason Haas, Proprietor
What is the Wine Custom Crush Business?
The Popularity of City Wineries
LIVE from Paris, France: Exploring Notre Dame and the Louvre Once More
LIVE from the Seine River: An AmaWaterways Wine River Cruise
An Interview with Mike Lewellen, Managing Partner, Lucas & Lewellen Winery, Santa Barbara
10 Tips for Planning Your Next Trip to Paris
Malbec: Domestic and International Finds
Barolo and Barbaresco: Let’s Get an Update
The Real Cost of Wine Tariffs: Economic Impact on Local U.S. Restaurants
The Magic of Tuscany: Touring the Region
Live from Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail: Where to Taste with Tourism Tips
***
Travel Opportunities
****
Cruise with Wine Wanderings: Cruise Travel Reminder: River Seine – Paris – Normandy – Giverny on AmaWaterways
Cruise the Danube on AmaWaterways with Wine Wanderings and Wölffer Estate Winery, April 20, 2026, Romantic Danube.
****