AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
As many as 3,000 acres of grapes are expected to be planted in the county by the end of 2015 and 10,000 acres in the coming years. At the present time there are 1,800 acres producing grapes. This figure has been confirmed by Dr. Ed Hellman with the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Center.
Terry County farmers are agricultural producers whose families have been in the area for generations; they possess unparalleled knowledge of the land and the requisite work ethic to successfully bring a crop to maturity. The business community in the county fully supports the grape-growing industry by holding an annual "Taste of Terry County Vineyard Festival." Also, several publications, such as the Wall Street Journal, recognize Terry County for its development into a producer of world-class wine grapes.
This resolution is a request that Terry County be designated as the "Grape Capital of Texas."
Terry County grows more grapes than all the other counties in Texas combined. In 2013, there were approximately 800 acres of vineyards in the county, constituting more than 80 percent of the grapes in the state. As many as 3,000 acres of grapes are expected to be planted in the county by the end of 2015 and 10,000 acres in the coming years. Terry County is part of the High Plains region, which endures many hot days but, at an altitude of over 3,600 feet, enjoys cool summer nights. This drop in temperature slows the pace of ripening and enables the grapes to mature over the growing season, producing a better juice for wine production. The region is extraordinarily windy, which reduces problems related to humidity, such as mildew. Its soil is sandy clay over a bed of caliche, and these layers allow good drainage down to the bedrock. Many Terry County farmers are agricultural producers whose families have been in the area for generations. They possess unparalleled knowledge of the land and the requisite work ethic to successfully bring a crop to maturity. With each growing season, more acreage is planted with grapes and the farming community's knowledge of grape growing also increases.
The business community in the county fully supports the grape-growing industry, and a local chamber of commerce held the first Taste of Terry County Vineyard Festival in 2013. An increasing number of publications, such as the Wall Street Journal, are recognizing Terry County for its development into a producer of world-class wine grapes.
RESOLVED
That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby designate Terry County as the official Grape Capital of Texas.
That in accordance with the provisions of Section 391.003(e) (providing that a place designation expires on the 10th anniversary of its designation), Government Code, this designation remain in effect until the 10th anniversary of its designation.