Texas

The regional growers association dates a Texas vineyard established by Franciscan priests to around 1659. Prohibition severely damaged the industry, but wineries were again being established across the state by the mid-1970s. Texas has about 4,500 acres of producing vineyards. The Texas High Plains grows an estimated 75 to 85% of the state's grapes. It is a high, flat, semi-arid plateau with large temperature differences between day and night. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Roussanne, Tempranillo and Viognier are important grapes here. Texas Hill Country sits lower, receives more rain and has rolling hills and limestone canyons. Together with Texas High Plains, it is among the appellation names most often seen on Texas wine labels. Wines across the state vary from fresh, fruity examples with a round texture to firmer styles with more noticeable tannin.