By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist
The 2022 growing season for Texas wine-grape vineyards was a challenge. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts said grapes had a below-average yield, but an above-average quality.
Triple-digit temperatures and drought impacted yields across the state of Texas. But dry conditions resulted in higher quality wine-grapes.
Along the Gulf Coast, drought caused below-average yields but led to an exceptional quality of grapes.
The primary grape in the region is Blanc du Bois. Drought also contributes to good sugar content in these grapes.
“Blanc du Bois is an early variety and luckily was ready for harvest about six weeks into drought conditions here,” Fran Pontasch, AgriLife Extension viticulturist in Bryan-College Station, said. “So, the grapes benefitted from no disease and were very good quality with some irrigation.”
Both the Gulf Coast and Hill Country usually see a high chance of fungal disease because of humidity, but the drought lowered the chances.
Yields in the Hill Country are estimated to be down 30-50%.
“It has been very dry, and the heat came early and has been relentless,” Brianna Crowley, AgriLife Extension viticulturist in Fredericksburg, said. “So, it has been a struggle to get vine root systems the moisture they need to work efficiently.”
The size of grapes on vines were smaller than normal but had good quality.
The High Plains season had a late start but is set to finish early.
“The story this season was the early bud break, severe drought and multiple days above 100 degrees,” Daniel Hillin, AgriLife Extension viticulturist in Lubbock, said. “Growers were irrigating heavily this year to keep everything going, but overall, in terms of quality, it is going to be good.”
It is too early to estimate yields for the High Plans and West Texas region, which usually produces 80-85% of Texas wine grapes.
North Texas has experienced similar conditions, but the main difference has been the wind.
“There was no loss to a late spring frost, but the high winds contributed to fruit sets that were 10%-30% below normal, depending on variety,” Michael Cook, AgriLife Extension viticulturist in Denton, said. “Quality has been nice, and we did get some critical rains earlier in the season that helped.”
AgriLife Extension viticulturists say this year’s crop will produce a nice vintage.
“Texas growers are tenacious because they grow in a very hostile environment,” she said. “Vines face constant stress in a normal year, but this year was particularly difficult because of compound stressors. But even after all the challenges, I think the 2022 season should produce a nice vintage.”