Kubacak Vineyards Grower Profile

What do you get when a career pilot plants a vineyard? An impeccable field with acute attention to details – and a happy family. When CJ Kubacak decided to retire from aviation to grow grapes in the High Plains, it was a decision based largely on seeing his kids grow up. He and his family are happier for it. And winemakers who purchase grapes from Kubacak are thrilled with the grape quality. If you find yourself near Brownfield, you can even stop by Yellow House Cellars to taste one of the handful of wines made from Kubacak Vineyards grapes for the family’s small commercial label.

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

I’ve been a commercial pilot since I was 22. I was a flight instructor, flew air ambulance, and spent the last 15 years of my career flying private jets. I stopped flying in 2018 to run the vineyard full-time.

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

We started in 2015 with five acres of Cabernet Sauvignon behind our house when we lived just south of Shallowater.

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

We currently have about 65 acres planted. Our 12 varieties are Grüner Veltliner, Picpoul Blanc, Roussanne, Petit Manseng, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Graciano, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec.

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

Just grapes for now. I am keeping 40 acres of pasture behind my house in case my twins want to learn to fly and we can do it off a grass airstrip.

5. What first attracted you to growing grapes?

Initially, it was that we could get started with some land that we already owned.

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

The weather, for sure. From hail to frost to drought, we have it all – sometimes in the same year! We are definitely at Mother Nature’s mercy.

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

I would probably still be flying, but then I would be missing my kids growing up.

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

My kids are always going in opposite directions, so my time off is filled with sports and dance recitals and everything else you can think of.

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

The short answer would be enjoying and seeing others enjoy the finished product in the glass.

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

Mistakes are expensive and can be fatal to a commercial operation. Do plenty of research and only plant varietals that will survive your winters. Factor the cost of hail netting into your initial install; you won’t regret it. My last piece of advice would be to call Daniel Pate at Apical Texas before you plant anything.

11. Anything else you would like to add?

Growing grapes is a science with some luck thrown in.