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Grapes
Start-up Nutrition Pierce's Disease Fungicides The history of growing grapes in Texas can be traced back to early Spanish explorers and missionaries who brought grapevine cuttings from Europe. As German, Czech, and Italian settlers immigrated, they too introduced grapevines from their homelands. Many of these varieties failed to survive from what were then unknown maladies. We now speculate that these varieties succombed to Pierce's disease. Varieties derived from native Texas grape species thrived however and there were as many as sixteen wineries in the state prior to prohibition. With the ratification of the 18th amendment to the Constitution all Texas wineries closed their doors except for Val Verde winery (sacramental wine production was allowed). The Texas wine industry experienced a re-birth in the early 1970's where vineyard acreage increased from about 90 in 1970 to approximately 3000 in 1982. These new plantings were dominated by French-American hybrid varieties which produced only marginally palatable wine. Since that time, varieties derived from V. vinifera replaced most of the hybrids and wine quality improved markedly. At the present time, Texas has approximately 4000 acres of wine grapes and new vineyards are being planted annually. The Texas Hill Country, because of its scenic beauty and close proximity to Austin and San Antonio has witnessed rapid expansion of vineyards and wineries in the last five years. Because of the increased interest in grape production, Growing Grapes in the Texas Hill Country was written as a first source of information. This brief guide will introduce prospective growers to the risks and challenges that will await them. Reading this publication will probably prompt additional questions. Feel free to contact me at j-kamas@tamu.edu and I will be glad to follow up on your inquiries. |