These education partners support Texas Wine Growers and our mission. Learn more about the research, workshops, and initiatives these universities, research institutions, and educational nonprofits are leading below. If you are part of an educational institution and want to support Texas Wine Growers, click here to become an education partner.
Grayson College
Grayson College’s Viticulture and Enology Program equips students with the skills to succeed in Texas’ rapidly growing grape and wine industry. Offering an Associate of Applied Science degree along with viticulture and enology certificates, the program blends online learning with weekend classes to provide flexibility without sacrificing hands-on experience. Students gain practical training in the program’s three-acre vineyard, extensive wine laboratory, and instructional winery at the T.V. Munson Viticulture and Enology Center, home to more than 60 of Munson’s original grape varieties. In addition to degree programs, Grayson hosts outreach seminars and workshops across the state, making high-quality education accessible to both new and experienced industry members.
Hill Country Wine Academy
The Hill Country Wine Academy is a partner and provider of various wine education programs and certifications. Wine education has been central to our mission since we opened our doors, and it is with your support and interest that we present the Hill Country Wine Academy. It is core to our belief that understanding Texas ‘terroir’ means seeing wine as more than a beverage – wine is food; it is a product of agriculture; it is an experience. To truly connect with what’s in the glass, we aim to offer a diverse collection of classes and certification courses that will empower any casual wine drinker, Texas wine professional, or connoisseur with the tools to unearth the patterns of excellence found in real Texas-grown wine.
Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service
Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service is a statewide network of educators and specialists who provide research-based information and programs to help Texans improve their lives and communities. The Extension Service is part of the Texas A&M System, and it is funded by federal, state, and county governments. It provides Texans with access to research-based information and programs that can help them improve their lives and communities. The Extension Service is also a valuable resource for farmers, ranchers, grape growers and other agricultural producers.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Grape Crush Report is a survey that collects data on the state’s grape and wine industry. It discusses the challenges faced by grape growers and winemakers in the state, as well as the successes. The report includes information on the number of acres planted in grapes, the tonnage of grapes crushed, and the types of wine produced. It also includes information on the economic impact of the grape and wine industry on the state.
Read the entire report here:
https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/01/Texas-Crush-Report-and-Vineyard-Production-Survey-Crop-Year-2021.pdf
Texas State University, Fermented Landscapes Lab
The Fermented Landscapes Lab at Texas State University, situated within the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, is a dynamic research collective led by Dr. Colleen C. Myles. The Lab explores socio-environmental transformations as driven by processes of fermentation—both literal and figurative—across landscapes, cultures, and economies.
A cornerstone of the Lab’s work is the ongoing “Sustainability in Texas Wine” project, which investigates the environmental ethos and land management practices of wine producers across the state. This initiative emphasizes collaborative, participant-led research with Texas wineries, recognizing producers as on-the-ground experts. The project seeks to understand and promote regenerative viticulture and other nature-based solutions via community-driven sustainability strategies. Beyond research, the Lab fosters student engagement through directed studies, thesis work, and field experiences, with Dr Myles and other members of the Fermented Landscapes Lab actively seeking out partnerships for shared learning and action.
Texas Tech University Department of Plant & Soil Science
Texas Tech University‘s viticulture, winemaking, and wine business programs are designed and taught by industry experts to equip students with the knowledge to work in the various roles within the Texas wine industry, including vineyard or winery management, winemaking, wine retail, marketing, and tourism. Students benefit from hands-on experience, convenient and affordable online classes, practical knowledge, and techniques that students can use immediately in their wine industry job, as well as continuing support from our instructors, peers, and industry professionals.
In addition to professional training, Texas Tech researchers use state-of-the-art tools to study how grape genetics, beneficial microbes, soil health, and viticultural practices affect resistance to environmental stresses such as drought, heat, frost and diseases, as well as fruit and wine quality. Students have opportunities to take part in this cutting-edge research, gaining hands-on experience with innovations that directly shape the future of viticulture and winemaking.
Uncork Texas Wines
The Uncork Texas Wines program is the state wine marketing program established within the Texas Department of Agriculture that promotes grape growers and wineries through various initiatives throughout the year. The main goals of the marketing program include marketing and promotion, education and outreach, partnerships and collaboration and attendance at trade shows and events throughout the state. Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture are committed to assisting wine industry professionals in Texas as well as educating consumers about the thriving Texas wine industry.
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