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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Texas Hill Country has achieved a reputation for |
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excellence as an American viticultural area (AVA) that has made it a |
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destination for wine connoisseurs from throughout the Lone Star |
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State; and |
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WHEREAS, Covering 9.6 million acres and extending into 23 |
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counties, the Texas Hill Country AVA is one of the largest in the |
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United States; it lies to the north of San Antonio and west of |
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Austin, and within its boundaries are two independent viticultural |
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areas, Bell Mountain and Fredericksburg; and |
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WHEREAS, The Texas Hill Country AVA consists largely of low |
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hills and steep canyons, with vineyards often being set at high |
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elevations to counter the region's hot summer temperatures; |
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Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are the key grape varieties grown |
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in the region and are used to make both dry table wines and |
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port-style fortified wines, while white grapes, particularly |
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Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay varieties, are also cultivated; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, the Texas Hill Country is home to more than |
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four dozen wineries and vineyards, most of which produce highly |
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acclaimed wines; though Hill Country wines are primarily purchased |
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and consumed locally, they have begun to acquire national |
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recognition in recent years, and Texas vineyards have distinguished |
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themselves among wine regions by experimenting and planting |
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high-quality varietals, often of Mediterranean origin, that can |
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thrive through heat and drought; and |
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WHEREAS, The Texas Hill Country, a jewel of our state's wine |
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industry, has contributed much to the region's economic vitality |
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and cultural vibrancy, and its continued growth in stature among |
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wine aficionados from near and far is a source of great pride to the |
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State of Texas; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize the significance of the Texas Hill |
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Country American Viticultural Area and extend to all those |
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associated with wineries and vineyards in the region sincere best |
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wishes for continued success. |