The Panhandle Grape and Wine Tour, hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offices in Potter and Randall counties, will be from 1-5 p.m. Oct. 21 and include visits to two vineyards.
The event is limited to the first 30 people registered, with a registration deadline of Oct. 18. The fee is $45 per person or $75 per couple, to be paid upon arrival on the event day. Registration is available here.
The program will begin at 1:30 p.m., and attendees will meet at the Buffalo Falls Vineyard, 16001 Interstate 27 south of Amarillo. From there, the tour will travel to Bar Z Winery, 19290 Farm-to-Market Road 1541 east of Canyon. Transportation will not be provided.
Megan Eikner, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Potter County, and J. D. Ragland, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Randall County, said they’ve both had inquiries about the potential of growing grapes in the area.
“People want to know if it is even doable in our part of the world to grow grapes with the weather and temperatures,” Ragland said in a news release. “This is a way for us to show it can be done and for people to see firsthand what all is involved and talk to some experts.”
Eikner said this meeting also helps the community learn more about the diversity of agricultural production in the area.
On the agenda
Guest speakers will be the owners of Buffalo Falls Vineyard, Charlie and Belinda Rivas, and Bar Z Winery, Monty Dixon; and Daniel Hillin, AgriLife Extension viticulture program specialist for the High Plains and West Texas, Lubbock.
The educational program will feature the following topics:
- Texas wine industry overview.
- Learn about growing grapes.
- Maintenance and care of vines in the Texas Panhandle.
- Wine-making process.
- Types of wine.
- Wine tasting.
