Commissioner Miller Announces Appointments to The Texas Wine Industry Development Advisory Committee (12/11/2015)

AUSTIN - Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today announced appointments to the Texas Wine Industry Development Advisory Committee. The committee helps assess the condition of Texas’ wine industry and develops recommendations for Commissioner Miller to assist in promoting and expanding the industry. The committee is also a key component of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s efforts to administer the Wine Industry Development Fund and Texas Wine Marketing Assistance Program.

“Working together, we will be able to draw on the collective expertise of our committee members to raise awareness of this dynamic agricultural segment,” Commissioner Miller said. “I’m thankful to these individuals for their service to our state and our agriculture industry, and I look forward to seeing the important work they will do to promote Texas vineyards and viticulture.”

The makeup of the committee was modified by Senate Bill 880 during the 84^th Legislative Session to represent various segments of the Texas wine industry. The selected applicants, based on the legislative language, are as follows:

Grape growers representing various regions of this state:

• Alphonse Dotson – Certenberg Vineyards, Voca
• John Rivenburgh – Bending Branch Winery, Comfort
• Gabriel Parker – Homestead Winery, Ivanhoe
• Katy Jane Seaton – Seaton Farm & Vine Farmhouse Vineyards, Meadow
• Rick Naber – Flat Creek Estate, Marble Falls

Wineries representing a variety of small, medium and large formats from the various regions of this state:

• Joseph Southwell – Queen’s Winery, Garland
• Mark Hyman – Llano Estacado, Colleyville
• Paul Bonarrigo – Messina Hof Winery, Bryan
• Spencer “Cord” Switzer – Fredericksburg Winery, Fredericksburg
• Stephen Morgan – Saddlehorn Winery, Bellaire

Researcher or educator specializing in viticulture or enology:

• James Kamas – Texas A&M Co-op Extension, Fredericksburg

Consumers who are not affiliated with the alcoholic beverage industry:

• David Newitt – Spring
• Ellen Hasslocher – Austin

Texas Department of Agriculture:

• Walt Roberts – Assistant Commissioner, Texas Department of Agriculture, Austin

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission:

• Thomas Graham – Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Austin