Maybe you’ve heard about the Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association (TWGGA) and maybe you haven’t. If you’re in the Texas wine industry, you most assuredly have. If you’re a consumer, you may have not.
This post is directed to you, the consumer of Texas wines. If you are interested in knowing more about what goes behind the scenes in making Texas wines, growing Texas grapes, or even just meeting and learning about the people who do, joining TWGGA is the way you can do it.
There are many benefits of joining TWGGA with a Consumer Membership. You’ll receive the following benefits:
- Semi-monthly electronic newsletter via e-mail
- Industry insider information
- Access to seminar presentations
- Seminar and event discounts
- Periodic sponsor discounts
- Tasting room discounts
That last one I keep forgetting about! That’s right, some member wineries of TWGGA offer discounts to other TWGGA members when you visit their winery!
Just taking a quick look through the winery discounts, you can get discounts ranging from 10% to 30% just by showing your TWGGA Membership Card. Like I said, I keep forgetting about this benefit as it could have saved us a lot of money throughout the years.
There are also two big events held every year. The biggest event is the Annual Conference which was held this past February in Frisco and will be held next year in San Marcos. At the conference you can attend educational seminars, visit a trade show, and network with Texas wine industry people. Oh, I forgot you can of course enjoy Texas wine too, and often get to try wines from across the state which you normally would not be able to taste.
The second biggest event is Grape Camp which is held in Fredericksburg every November. This is primarily geared toward Texas grape growers with educational sessions and vendor demonstrations, but having attended the past couple years, I have even learned things and I don’t own a vineyard. And of course, networking with others is always fun again.
There are many more events and benefits you can learn by looking at the TWGGA website. A Consumer Membership is currently only $35 a year for one person or $50 a year for a couple.
By joining the Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association, you are not only helping yourself by getting discounts and having enjoyable times at events, but you are also supporting the Texas wine industry.
I’ve been wanting another way to support the Texas wine industry besides buying more wine and have mulled the idea of joining for a while. Thanks for the reminder!
Great. Maybe we’ll see you at the next big event!
Thanks, I’m a hobbyist grower and always looking for educational events and fun.
You’re welcome. I know I have learned a lot!
Thanks Jeff, this is something I have wanted to join. Will do!
Cathy
You’ll enjoy it!