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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Texas Hill Country is home to more than 50 |
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wineries and vineyards, and Fredericksburg is the epicenter of this |
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popular region; and |
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WHEREAS, Early in the history of Fredericksburg, settlers |
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used the native mustang grape to make wine; subsequent generations |
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refined the cultivation of grapes and production of wine, and in |
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recent years, several wines produced by area vineyards and wineries |
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have won state and national awards, attesting to the high quality of |
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local viticulture; and |
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WHEREAS, Over 600 acres of land north and west of |
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Fredericksburg are dedicated to growing grapes, and the |
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concentration of vineyards and wineries along U.S. Highway 290 |
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draws a host of tourists; visitors enjoy patronizing tasting rooms, |
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wine cellars, festivals, and a variety of other events, and a number |
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of guided tours have been established for the convenience of |
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customers; and |
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WHEREAS, In recognition of Fredericksburg's importance as a |
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wine-making center, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau |
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has established the Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country |
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American Viticultural Area, one of just 242 AVA locations in the |
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nation; and |
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WHEREAS, Justly proud of its German heritage, Fredericksburg |
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was designated as the Polka Capital of Texas by the 73rd Texas |
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Legislature in 1993; while the city's cultural roots remain a |
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touchstone for its citizens and its many visitors, the wine |
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industry has recently become an increasingly prominent focus of |
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local tourism due to its rapid growth; and |
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WHEREAS, Hill Country wineries and vineyards contribute |
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significantly to the prosperity of Fredericksburg, and they have |
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brought the city international recognition that is a source of |
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pride to the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate Fredericksburg as the official Wine Capital of |
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Texas, replacing the city's previous designation as the Polka |
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Capital of Texas; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section |
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391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in effect |
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until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally |
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passed by the legislature. |