Texas grape farmers, many of whom are new farming families, are taking advantage of an expanding market for Texas wine products, which generates about 11,000 jobs in Texas and an estimated $437.8 million in agritourism revenue.
Viticulture is a niche market in Texas, although growing grapes in Texas isn’t new. The Lone Star State may have been the first in the New World to grow grapes with the intent of producing wine, reports the Southwest Farm Press.
Cultivating grapes allows for hands-on farming experience by planting, growing and harvesting the fruits of the vine, while providing the farmer with a chance to process his grapes and turn them into a regional wine. Family-sized vineyards also take advantage of agritourism opportunities of vineyard tours, seasonal wine-related events and wine tastings and harvest events.
Texas has about 4,400 acres of producing vineyards. Texas wine-related industries produced more than $1.83 billion of economic value in Texas in 2011. Industry officials say 2014 should prove to be the best economic year on record as a result of expanded vineyards and new labels all across the state.