The Texas High Plains AVA Is One of the Largest AVAs in the U.S.

In the southern part of the Texas Panhandle (that’s the part of the state that juts up like a smokestack), you’ll find the Llano Estacado, a high mesa characterized by rolling plains as far as the eye can see. Here, agriculture reigns king, and driving along the highways, you’ll see fields bursting with cotton, corn, and peanuts. However, what most people might not know is that the fields here are also full of grapes, and you can find one of the largest wine grape-growing regions in Texas—and the U.S.—right here.

Known as the High Plains American Viticultural Area, this area produces 80 percent of all the wine grapes grown in Texas, far outpacing its more well-known sibling, the Texas Hill Country. The High Plains AVA is the second largest in the state (after the Hill Country) and encompasses around 8 million acres.

Although the Panhandle seems relatively flat, its elevation gently rises the further west you travel, and ranges anywhere between 2,800 to 4,000 feet above sea level. This higher elevation, combined with low to moderate levels of rainfall, temperature, and dry weather, all come together to form a pretty ideal environment for growing wine grapes.

“The region enjoys cooler nights that help grapes stay fresh and balanced, even in our hot climate,” says Madison Regis White, a sommelier and the hospitality director at McPherson Cellars, a winery based in Lubbock, Texas. “The low humidity is another big plus, as it helps prevent common vine issues like disease, rot, and pests, and the sandy loam soil drains well, keeping the roots healthy.”

Texas is, of course, known for its toasty summers—but those dry, hot days actually encourage grapes to mature and ripen to ideal sugar levels, which helps set the wines’ acidity. Grapes that grow well here can handle hail, pesky spring frosts, and the ever-changing weather of the High Plains (as the saying goes, if you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes). The Llano Estacado is actually capable of supporting a wide diversity of grape varietals: over 75 kinds of wine grapes are grown here, including tempranillo, sangiovese, mourvèdre, cabernet sauvignon, viognier, and pinot noir. 

Vignerons have grown grapes and fermented wine in the High Plains since the mid-1970s, but the region didn’t officially get its AVA status until 1993. Vineyards here supply wine to wineries throughout the state, but you can sample the High Plains’ finest right where the grapes are grown.

Llano Estacado Winery, the state’s second oldest winery and the oldest winery in the High Plains, was established in Lubbock in 1976 and frequently uses locally grown grapes, including in its “clay block” merlot—a gold medal winner at the 2024 Lone Star International Wine Competition. Located about 10 minutes from downtown, the winery has a tasting room and a cute patio for outdoor sipping. There are also winery tours available for those interested.

In the heart of Lubbock, you can find McPherson Cellars, which was founded in honor of winemaker Kim McPherson’s father, Clinton “Doc” McPherson, a pioneer of the modern Texas wind industry. Doc McPherson experimented with planting different kinds of grape varietals in the High Plains during the ‘60s to see which worked best in the hot, dry region and helped establish the High Plains AVA. McPherson Cellars primarily specializes in sangiovese, but you can also sip on whites and rosés here as well.

The High Plains also get plenty of love from Hill Country wineries—the Panhandle does, after all, produce the vast majority of the grapes grown in the state.

“I’m impressed by the Petit Verdot that we’ve received from Narra Vineyards and Newsom Vineyards, as the grape variety does well in the hot growing climate of Texas,” says Jennifer Cernosek, the general manager of Bending Branch Winery, located in Comfort, Texas. “The layered flavor complexity and rich notes of black cherry and dark berries make the Petit Verdot stand up well on its own as a single-variety wine, even though Petit Verdot has classically been used for blending.” 

And though this wine region may not be as well known as the big players like Napa or Sonoma just yet, it’s slowly collecting more awards, accolades, and recognition year after year.

“The Texas High Plains AVA is proving it can hold its own alongside top wine regions around the world,” says Regis White. “Growers gain experience each year, vineyard acreages continue to expand, and winemakers are honing their skills and producing standout wines that keep getting better.”