Feature Article

Llano Estacado's Greg Bruni and Mark Hyman, braving the elements in the Extreme Climate of the THP

'...the future for Texas High Plains appellation-based wines has become a reality not only for wineries on the Plains, but also for wineries in other districts that recognize our quality and are producing THP appellation products.'

by Adam Dial
April 13, 2004

In 1993 the Texas High Plains appellation was officially born; it was a significant milestone for the Texas wine industry. At the state’s largest premium winery, Llano Estacado, President Mark Hyman and Winemaker Greg Bruni have worked tirelessly to better their understanding of both the perils and the joys of growing and producing wine in the often unforgiving climate of the West Texas high plains. As leaders in the Texas wine industry, they have made it their mission to promote the wines of Texas both inside and outside of the Lone Star state.

AA: The vastness of Texas, a state that exceeds the size of France, takes in a wide range of terrain and climate. The state’s two largest regions, Texas High Plains and Texas Hill Country, are separated by more than 200 miles. Yet most wine drinkers would still pigeonhole all Texas wine as merely that, ‘Texas wine’. The assumption that all Texas wines are alike might be as unreasonable as the suggestion that Bordeaux, Burgundy, Alsace and Champagne are all alike because they all come from France. Why do you think consumers for the most part have not become familiar with the diversity that exists in Texas winegrowing?

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