My parents are looking at some property, maybe an hour from Houston, that has a large vineyard (almost 20 acres) of mature, producing grapevines. It looks real nice, but they are not crazy about the upkeep, or cost associated with running a vineyard that big. They'd have to be selling the grapes to offset those costs, and hopefully make a little profit. They are open to some type of profit-sharing deal if somebody could manage the grapes and get them sold. Anybody have any experience with something like this? They were curious if A&M might have some type of program in the Ag Dept where students could somehow use the vineyard for...something. They don't want to let all the grapevines die, but they don't want to pour money into it either. Thoughts?

I'm no expert in this but...

1) Do the grapes provide the reason for any ag exempt status on that portion of the land? That alone could factor in depending on savings to keep them going.

2) I know we had a few specific classes around wine and wine tasting so I'm sure you could work something out with A&M or other schools in the area.

3) I'm sure being so close to Houston, they could easily lease out that portion to someone in return for money and free wine, just depends on who they want on their property.

I would have them contact Messina Hoff winery in College Station. Depending on the grape varieties, they possibly might be interested in them. Even if not they would be a good source of information.

Tech has a viticuluture and enology program, not sure that anything similar exists at A&M.

Like any business, consider checking with the seller on what can be done with the grapes now, and ask to see their books. Some grape growers sell to winemakers directly, but you'd need to find a wine maker who would take them.

An hour from Houston seems like an odd place to grow grapes. Presumably, they're using some variety resistant to Pierce's disease. (Disclaimer: I have no experience with growing grapes, and have just read about Texas wine making in the past, pursuant to my interest in outdoor things in Texas.)

Texas A&M AgriLIfe Extension has viticulture specialists, but you can start with your county agent for advice. Website is http://winegrapes.tamu.edu/communicate/texas-viticulture-and-enology-extension/ .

20 ac! That's a valuable investment in root stock. Wine grape varieties are generally grafted on to established root stock. Could be a good $$ making hobby for them, with a little research. Surely someone does some consulting work in that industry.

TWGGA staff might be a place to check https://www.txwines.org/

I know there is large group of folks around the College Staition, Cat Spring, Brenham area that grow grapes and assist each other in in growing, juice and wine production with the reward of....... Drinking wine.

If the vines are mature, they are a useful grape. I'm actually looking at putting 10 acres in. Currently in the Panhandle/South Plains, only 40% are grown in the region. The balance comes from California. Water and weather conditions are the main concerns for me. the research I have done and what some of my customers have told me, it's looking more and more appealing.

I would check with the current owners, they probably already have the outlet for the grapes established, they may even entertain "leasing" the vineyard for the opportunity to continue working the vineyard they established.

Dr. Scheiner (viticulture professor, extension specialist for all mid/south Texas) would be the man to contact.

http://today.agrilife.org/2014/03/28/scheiner-named-viticulturist-for-texas-am-agrilife/

jscheiner@tamu.edu

Thanks for the recommended reading, and the contacts. I'll check them out. The current owners are providing grapes to several wineries already, they are just losing money. They have a ranch manager and a vineyard manager on salary, plus day laborers as needed. The current owners have given up on their dream of running a vineyard, they just want out. It looks like something you'd see at one of the bigger vineyards in Fredericksburg; rows and rows of grapevines, all the varietals labeled at the end of the row.

Bellards Boys said:

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Dr. Scheiner (viticulture professor, extension specialist for all mid/south Texas) would be the man to contact.

http://today.agrilife.org/2014/03/28/scheiner-named-viticulturist-for-texas-am-agrilife/

jscheiner@tamu.edu

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+1 to contact Justin

As an alternative would be Fran Pontash, She is extension grape specialist for the gulf coast and works with many grape growers. I think she actually works under Dr Scheiner
https://agrilifepeople.tamu.edu/viewPersonDetails/15257

Do you know anything about the varieties?

If they are Vitis vinifera (most wine grapes), they will be susceptible to Pierce's Disease (PD) that close to the coast. It severely limits the lifespan of vines and makes them economically unfeasible in there area

If they are Lenoir or Black Spanish - a hybrid - they may be more viable as these have some resistance to PD. It is the majority of what Messina Hof grows in Bryan. All their other grapes are produced up on the Caprock area where there is and better environment. That being said, Texas is becoming known for ports made from Lenoir and some have been produced without fortifying them as the sugars are high enough naturally to get the higher alcohol level in port.

And the number one thing to know about wine grapes and wine making:

"Wine making is 10% grapes and the rest is 90% BS" - George Ray MacEachern, former state viticulturist, on how much of what is out there is marketing and not viticulture or enology


A&M has had 2 undergrad classes HORT 421 and HORT 419 and these are sometimes open to non-student growers via Agrilife extension.

My dad had a few acres of vines. It was too labor intensive to keep up as a hobby. Plus the birds were a big problem.

Need to find out what you have, varietals, production, infrastructure, etc, and then contact some of the local wineries and see if they'd be interested in cash renting from your parents. We're seeing more and more of this around Fredericksburg and up on the Plains.

OP stated they wouldn't run the vineyard if it didn't make money. Seems the grape and wine are just icing on the cake if they can make it work.