Grapes on the Caprock: The Texas Wine Revolution

Updated: Sep 25

Season: 1 \ Episode: 5

Join us as we explore how Texas, once considered an unlikely place for wine production, has risen to become a significant player on the global wine stage. Through the stories of pioneers, scientists, and modern-day winemakers, we trace the history of Texas wine back over 350 years and uncover the pivotal moments that shaped the state and region's wine legacy.

Doc McPherson at Sagmor Vineyards, undated photo; Texas Wine Growers Association

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CHAPTER 1: NEW SPAIN
- The Origins of Texas Wine: Learn how Spanish missionaries brought wine to Texas over 350 years ago, planting the first vineyards at the El Paso del Norte mission.
- Surviving the Pueblo Revolt: Discover how the Pueblo Uprising of 1680 led to an expansion of vineyards in El Paso, setting the stage for centuries of winemaking.
- The Flourishing Vineyards: Follow the journey of “Pass wine” as it gained fame across New Spain, flourishing in the El Paso region until devastating floods in the late 1800s.
CHAPTER 2: ZEE GERMANS
- Follow the journey of early German immigrants as they search for a home in Texas and plant their first vineyards
CHAPTER 3: FRANK QUALIA & VAL VERDE
- An Italian immigrant builds the state's longest lasting winery and navigates prohibition
CHAPTER 4: THE PLAGUE
- The Phylloxera Crisis: A detailed account of the devastating phylloxera plague that decimated European vineyards and the crucial role Texas played in saving the global wine industry.
- TV Munson’s Ingenuity: Learn about the groundbreaking hybridization work of Texas scientist TV Munson, whose efforts helped French vineyards recover and thrive.
- A Global Rescue Mission: The fascinating story of how Texas rootstock and innovation saved Europe’s wine heritage, leading to Munson’s induction into the French Legion of Honor.
CHAPTER 5: TTU & LLANO ESTACADO
- Rebuilding After Prohibition: Follow the revival of Texas wine through the efforts of Texas Tech professors, who laid the groundwork for the state’s modern wine industry.
- The Birth of Llano Estacado Winery: Discover the challenges, grit, and ingenuity that led to the founding of Llano Estacado, Texas’s first post-Prohibition winery.
- A New Era of Wine Production: See how Llano Estacado’s success paved the way for other wineries in Texas, transforming the region into a hub of viticulture.
CHAPTER 6: STE. GENEVIEVE
- The University of Texas gets in on the action with the Ste. Genevieve Winery, that would grow into the state's largest

CHAPTER 7: INTO THE PRESENT
- The rapid growth of Texas’s wine industry from 1981 to the present day, marked by an increase in wineries, AVA designations, and national recognition.
CHAPTER 8: COTTON V. GRAPES
- Explore the ongoing conflict between cotton farmers and grape growers in West Texas, centered around herbicide use and its impact on vineyards.
CLOSING
- Reflecting on Texas’s potential to become a leading global wine producer, with West Texas at the heart of this exciting agricultural transformation.
- Texas’s wine history is rooted in centuries of tradition, from Spanish missions to modern vineyards.
- The state’s wine industry has faced significant challenges, from climate issues and disease to regulatory hurdles, yet has emerged as a strong and growing player in the global market.
- The rivalry between Texas universities and their role in the development of viticulture underscores the innovative and pioneering spirit that continues to drive Texas wine forward.
Listen to the Full Episode: Tune in to this episode of WTX: A History of West Texas for a deep dive into the history, challenges, and successes of the Texas wine industry. Whether you’re a wine lover, history enthusiast, or just curious about Texas’s agricultural heritage, this episode offers a compelling look at the state’s journey to wine prominence.

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Join the Conversation: What’s your favorite Texas wine? Have you visited any of the state’s wineries? Share your experiences and thoughts with us in the comments below or on our social media channels using the hashtag #WTXPodcast.

Media:

Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, Juarez, Mexico.

2005 Postcard, University of San Diego photo

Fray Garcia de San Francisco de Zuniga, the godfather of Texas wine, in front of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Church.

Pen and ink drawing by Jose Cisneros. UTSA Libraries Special Collections.

The German immigration route to the Fisher-Miller Land Grant.

Texas State Historical Association

The Val Verde Winery, Del Rio Texas, modern photo.

txwinelover.com

Sketch of phylloxera aphid (Dactylosphaera vitifolii); the individual pictures represent: phylloxera unwinged, phylloxera winged, phylloxera sucking. a suction trunk of phylloxera.

Wikimedia Commons.