The roots of the Texas wine industry date back more than 300 years. Texas was producing wine more than 100 years before California planted grape vines.

The El Paso, Texas area was the country's premier wine region in the 1800's. The same Franciscan monks who founded the first North American winery in Parras de la Fuente, Mexico established this area in 1650. Parras de le Fuente and Grapevine, Texas are sister cities today.

The oldest currently operating winery in Texas is Val Verde Winery in Del Rio. It first began operation in 1833.

The number of Texan wineries has grown from 40 to over 140 between 2000 and 2007.

The economic impact of the Texas Wine Industry reached $1 billion in 2007.

Orbitz Travel Agency recently reported that the Texas Hill Country is the 2nd most visited wine region in the United States, after Napa Valley. It is also the largest appellation in America.