Reddy Vineyards Grower Profile

Learn how six generations of farming started in India and ended up in Brownfield, Texas. Vijay and Akhil Reddy are a father and son grape growing team with a passion that continues to thrive after 25 years of commitment to the industry.

1. What did you do before growing grapes (if anything)?

Vijay Reddy holds a PhD in Soil & Plant Science. He has farmed cotton, peanuts, wheat, milo, and produce since the 1970s. Since 1997, the focus has been on wine grapes. He also ran a soil and plant consulting laboratory for over 20 years.

Akhil Reddy holds a BS in Biology, a Doctorate of Dental Surgery, and a Wine Executive Certificate from UC Davis. He is a cosmetic dentist in the Dallas area and, in recent years, has become CEO of Reddy Vineyards as his full-time job. His focus has been on expanding the vineyard and, in 2018 launched their estate winery.

2. When did you first plant your vineyard, and how many acres did you start with?

In 1997 with five acres of Cabernet Sauvignon.

3. How many acres do you have today, and what grapes are planted?

Over 350 acres are planted. They have 38 varietals from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Malbec, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo, Tannat, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, Muscat Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and more.

4. Do you farm any other crops? And if so, what?

In the vineyard, when there is a section that does not have vines, the family may plant peanuts or other row crops to help keep the soil healthy. They also grow wheat as a cover crop between the vines.

5. What first attracted you to growing grapes?

Vijay was farming with a contract for Del Monte for many years when the contracts started dwindling. He knew the time was right to change what was on the family land in Brownfield. Vijay was also consulting for a prominent Texas grape grower, Neal Newsom, on land fertility and optimizing his vineyard at the time. Neal convinced him to think about growing wine grapes and getting involved with the Texas grape grower meetings. It was in one of the meetings that Vijay met Dr. Richard Becker and Raymond Haak who signed up to be Vijay’s first wine grape clients. To this day, Reddy Vineyards still sells wine grapes to these amazing wineries. That was how the journey started, and the passion for wine grapes continues to grow.

6. What is the toughest challenge about being a grape grower in Texas?

In the Texas High Plains, the main challenges are early and late freezes, hail events, and occasional dramatic heat spikes.

7. If you didn’t grow grapes, what would you do?

Vijay is a 5th generation farmer, and Akhil is the 6th. The family’s roots in farming go back to India, where Vijay is originally from. He immigrated to the United States in 1971 after getting his Agricultural Bachelor’s degree. He came for his master’s degree at Kansas State University and completed his PhD at Colorado State University. If Vijay had to choose another career, he would probably be some type of entrepreneurial engineer. Akhil is still a practicing dentist, although that career is part-time compared to his work for the family vineyard. He’s also interested in architecture.

8. After a long day in the vineyard, what do you like to do?

Vijay loves to FaceTime with all his grandchildren and play card games with his friends. Akhil loves spending time with his family and trying new restaurants with friends.

9. What’s the best part about being a grape grower?

Akhil says, “We get to nurture these plants as family members for decades and pass on to the next generation.”

10. What advice would you give someone wanting to start a vineyard today?

Have a plan! Establish what your business model will be and focus on financial budgeting. If at all possible, get as much experience working in vineyards in a few different regions, so you know what you’re getting into.

11. Anything else you would like to add?

“The Texas wine industry is wonderful! We have clients that have been with us for now 25 years. Our goal is to help wineries produce exceptional fine wine and help consumers make Texas wine an easy choice.”