Region on the rise: Texas wines shine at DWWA 2026

Texas is known for cowboys, barbecue, and increasingly, technology companies. The results of Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2026 signaled another reason to know Texas: the quality of its wines. Texas wines accounted for four of 32 Gold medals awarded to the United States.

Texas wines garnered 122 total medals, the second-most of any U.S. state behind California. Of those, 62 wines scored 90 or more points. These results led to Texas being named one of five 'Regions on the Rise' by Decanter Awards. This year’s Decanter World Wine Awards results were a triumph on the international stage for a wine industry that is both centuries old and yet quite new.

The history of Texas wine

The history of Texas wine dates to the 1600’s when the area was under Spanish rule. However, United States prohibition in the early 1900s decimated the Texas wine industry, which did not recover for decades. From the end of Prohibition in 1933 until the late 1960s, many people laid the groundwork for the modern Texas wine industry.

By the mid-1970s, pioneering wineries were established throughout the state. However, Texas alcohol laws impeded growth. In 2005, Texas had only 85 wineries. A combination of new laws and an emerging generation of winemakers caused the Texas wine industry to explode. While exact figures are hard to determine, the best estimate is that Texas now has over 600 wineries.

The grapes planted in the early 1970s were often marketable varieties for the time, such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Those grapes are still grown, but even then, winegrowers were looking to the Mediterranean and southern Europe.

The grape varieties receiving the most attention today originate in three main warmer-climate growing areas.

Iberian varieties include Albariño, Garnacha/Grenache, Souzão, Touriga Nacional and Tempranillo, which has become a star of Texas red wine.

French varieties include Clairette, Roussanne, Viognier, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Syrah and Tannat.

Italian varieties include Trebbiano, Vermentino, Aglianico, Montepulciano, Sagrantino, Sangiovese and Teroldego.

Each of these grapes is finding a home in Texas as winegrowers hone their ability to match varieties to specific winegrowing regions.

While grapes are grown in most areas of the state, there are eight American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in Texas. If a wine label mentions an AVA, a Texas county, or a single vineyard, then at least 85% of the grapes used must be grown in the designated area. The remainder must come from other areas within Texas. Of the AVAs, two appear most often on labels and are most important for wine drinkers to know.

Texas High Plains AVA

The Texas High Plains AVA in the northwest of the state is a flat, semi-arid mesa benefiting from high elevation and temperature swings. The flat land and rich soils here were known for producing row crops including cotton and peanuts. A more recent trend is grapevines.

Summer temperatures can swing from above 37 degrees C in the day to below 15 degrees C at night. The shift retains the grape’s freshness and acidity. Due to the favourable growing conditions, 75-85% of Texas grapes are grown in the Texas High Plains AVA.

Key grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Roussanne, Tempranillo, and Viognier.

Texas Hill Country AVA

Texas Hill Country AVA is located 400 miles south of the High Plains. The elevation is lower, the rainfall is higher, and the temperature swing is less dramatic here. Proximity to both Austin and San Antonio makes the region popular for winery visits. Rolling hills and limestone canyons provide a dramatic backdrop.

The town of Fredericksburg is the centre of tourism in the region and one of the most-visited wine tourism destinations in the United States. Many Texas wineries are located here for this reason.

Key grape varieties are Aglianico, Syrah, Tannat and Tempranillo.

Stylistic differences have emerged as regions and grape varieties have become better understood. Ron Yates of Spicewood Vineyard and Ron Yates Wines characterises Texas High Plains wines as having 'round and soft texture, fruit-driven, with freshness'.

Texas has a long wine history and a dynamic modern industry. As Sue Schulse of Turtle Creek Vineyards notes, 'This is an exciting time for Texas wine with so many producers making great wine.'

Then, why have more people not tasted Texas wines? Tasting the wines often requires a trip to the state. Approximately 95% of Texas wines are sold within the state. This is changing.

Watch for more wines to become available outside the state as a 'Region on the Rise' shares its wines with the world. If the Decanter World Wine Awards 2026 results are any indication, then Texas has much to share.

DWWA 2026: Top-scoring wines from Texas

AB Astris, Souzao, Texas Hill Country 2022

Gold, 96 points
Intoxicating blackberry and plum fruit with hints of lavender on the nose. Densely packed with oak tannins, mouth-coating texture and fascinating length. A beautiful, complete wine. Alcohol 13.9%

Turtle Creek, Tannat, Texas Hill Country 2023

Gold, 96 points
Impressive notes of plum, prune, blackberry and liquorice with a savoury whack of black peppercorns. Grippy with well-knit tannins, precise saline acidity and silky length. Alc 14.5%

Adega Vinho, Estate Tempranillo, Texas Hill Country 2021

Gold, 95 points
An absolute banger of a wine with a good presence of black plum compote and wild herbs. Nicely articulated with a sublime savoury cured meat length. Alc 14%

Spicewood Vineyards, Las Montanas 2022

Gold, 95 points
A feverish intensity of inky black cherry, graphite and verdant green herbs lavishes the deeply concentrated palate, adorning polished tannins and lively acidity. Full and inspiring. Alc 14.2%

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