The Texas wine industry is thriving, but it’s also facing a significant challenge that the Legislature must address when it reconvenes in January: illegal,...
ORG XMIT: *S0412735186* 4-23-05 --- Buffalo Gap Wine and Food Sumit 2005. Robert Green of Arlington tasting a Cabernet Sauvignon at the Texas/California Wine Taste Off event at Perini Ranch. 03082006xTasteThe Texas wine industry is thriving, but it’s also facing a significant challenge that the Legislature must address when it reconvenes in January: illegal, direct-to-consumer wine sales from out-of-state wineries.
The TABC’s report is the fruit of a thorough review of the state’s winery permit process ordered by the Legislature last year. Texas issues only a single permit to wineries, regardless of whether the applicant makes wine from fruit they grow themselves, from someone else, or from an out-of-state grower. Some Texas winery permit holders don’t produce wine at all.John Rivenburgh, president of Texas Wine Growers and owner of Kerrville Hills Winery, told us that can create confusion for consumers.
In 2023, the state issued a record 872 wine permits, up from 305 in 2013, according to the TABC. Given this growth, it may be time for the Texas Legislature to follow the lead of several other states and create differentiated winery permits that better fit the applicant’s business model. The TABC said that would cost the agency between $250,000 and $450,000 in computer updates to implement. But that’s small change given the size of the Texas wine industry. The Texas Department of Agriculture estimates that the industry has grown from $17 billion seven years ago to $20 billion today.Over the years the Legislature has done much to support and market this important industry, but it can’t stop there.
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