On March 10, the Texas wine and grape industry converged on the State Capitol for the 2015 Legislative Action Day.  Thirty Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association members made introductions and visits with their respective Representatives and Senators.  That evening Texas wineries, educational institutions, and the Texas Department of Agriculture participated in a Viticulture and Enology Educational Event and Wine Tasting hosted by Senator Jane Nelson and TWGGA.  Legislators and key staff members sampled Texas wine and learned about the Texas wine and grape industry.

During the event, Senator Craig Estes was presented with the 2014 Frank Madla Award given annually to an individual whose diligent and altruistic commitment furthers the Texas Wine and Grape Industry through the legislature and government agencies.

Left to right: Senator Craig Estes, Debbie Reynolds (TWGGA Executive Director), Gabe Parker (Homestead Winery), and Jennifer McInnis (Bending Branch Winery)

Wineries who donated and served their wine included:  Pleasant Hill Winery, Cross Timbers Winery, Hye Meadow Winery, William Chris Vineyards, The Winery at Willow Creek, Flat Creek Estate, Messina Hof Wine Cellars, Bending Branch Winery, Lost Oak Winery, Landon Winery, Los Pinos Ranch Vineyard, Homestead Winery, and Tara Vineyards & Winery.  Participants from Texas A&M University, AgriLife Extension and Research, and Texas Tech University included Dan Lineberger, Doug Steele, Jim Kamas, Dr. Justin Scheiner, Sheila McBride, Dr. David Appel, Albre Brown, and Maureen Qualia.  Texas Department of Agriculture participants included Commissioner Sid Miller, Assistant Commissioner Walt Roberts, Mary York, and Wendy Womack.

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Source: Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association