For Kerr and Jill Taylor, grape growing is more than a business; it’s a calling rooted in purpose, passion, and legacy. After a successful career in real estate and co-founding an adoption support nonprofit that’s helped hundreds of children find families, Kerr turned his sights toward Texas agriculture, pursuing a long-held dream of farming. What began as a small vineyard in Washington County has grown into Rowland Taylor Vineyards with additional plantings in the Texas High Plains. With a deep belief in Texas as a world-class wine region and a commitment to doing things the right way, the Taylors are building something truly Irreplaceable®. We are happy to present Rowland Taylor Vineyards as this month’s Grower Profile.
- What did you do before growing grapes?
I spent most of my career in the real estate shopping center business, taking a company called AmREIT to the New York Stock Exchange. Alongside business, my wife and I started Pathways for Little Feet, an adoption support charity, which has helped more than 800 children find adoptive families. Agribusiness was always a dream of mine, and about 15 years ago, we planted our first vines in Washington County, Texas. That led us to develop a commercial vineyard in the Texas High Plains, focused on Entav-Inra clones from France.
- When did you first plant your vineyard, and how many acres did you start with?
In 2012, we planted our first vines in Washington County, Texas, and planted roughly 1,000 Lenoir and 2,000 Blanc du Bois vines. Our family planted and pruned them together year after year, making it part of our family’s story. We call that first block our “First Fruits,” and proceeds from its annual harvest festival support Pathways for Little Feet.
- How many acres do you have today, and what grapes are planted?
Today, in addition to our 5 acres in Washington County, we farm 55 acres of wine grapes south of Brownfield in the High Plains, supported by eight irrigation wells that secure water from 450 contiguous acres. Over the past decade, we’ve established vineyard blocks with select ENTAV-INRA® and FPS Certified clones chosen to thrive in the region’s high-altitude terroir. The vineyard is equipped with wind machines for frost protection and a trellis system covered with hail nets, ensuring consistent fruit set and protecting berry quality through the growing season. We grow Blanc du Bois and Lenoir in Washington County. Our plantings in the High Plains include Merlot (clone 181), Cabernet Sauvignon (169, 337, and 412), Cabernet Franc (214), Grenache (515/513), Viognier (642), Syrah (471), Petit Verdot (1058), Roussanne (02.1), Picpoul Blanc (01.1), and Mourvèdre 05.1(10).
- Do you farm any other crops? And if so, what?
Yes. We run roughly 300 head of Fullblood Wagyu cattle and market Wagyu beef, steers, breeding bulls, and females at our Washington County farm. Recognized among the top Wagyu herds in Texas, our operation is built on a reputation for integrity, quality, and results. In addition to our cattle program, we produce our own hay each year, a reflection that we’re true farmers as well as breeders. Our agribusiness focuses on two things: Texas wine grapes and Wagyu cattle.
- What first attracted you to growing grapes?
I saw wine grapes as one of the most promising long-term agribusinesses in Texas. With Fredericksburg now among the top wine destinations in the country, Texans no longer have to fly to Napa to enjoy the vineyard experience. Our vision has been to grow world-class grapes and partner with world-class wineries to serve the people of Texas. Over time, I believe Texas can become one of the most prominent wine regions of the world—and we’re already seeing elite winemakers here to make that a reality.
- What is the toughest challenge about being a grape grower in Texas?
The greatest challenge is belief. Growers must believe that Texas can produce world-class grapes and be willing to invest the input costs needed to achieve that standard. Every wine region in the world has faced this same journey. Our focus is on the highest tier of quality, and we’ve committed year after year to the investments required. With the dedicated work of our team, combined with the leadership of our vineyard manager, Daniel Pate of Apical Texas, I believe we’ve built one of the best vineyards in Texas. The same belief is required of winemakers, who must also be willing to put in the work to create world-class wines.
- If you didn’t grow grapes, what would you do?
I’m already doing what I love—building what I call “Super Bowl teams.” In the High Plains, we’ve built a team that can grow grapes to compete with the best in the world. Our family business has always been about striving for what’s Irreplaceable®, and that’s the same vision driving us in all our operations, including Rowland Taylor Vineyards.
- After a long day in the vineyard, what do you like to do?
The best part of growing grapes is sharing the results. I love sitting around the table with family and friends, opening a bottle, and enjoying the fruits of our labor together. Few businesses let you create something that can be celebrated this way and turned into memories.
- What’s the best part about being a grape grower?
It’s the community. In agriculture, competitors quickly become partners and friends. We share resources, learn from each other, and often feel more like family than rivals. The friendships, the fellowship, and the joy of sharing the fruit and the wine make it a great life—tough, but great.
- What advice would you give someone wanting to start a vineyard today?
Do your research and understand the realities of the business. It’s a great life, but a hard one, and real profits often don’t come until the second or third generation. Make sure your family is engaged and ready for the effort. Embrace the beauty of this life and let it give back to you in ways beyond profit. I’m actually writing a book on what I wish I knew starting out, which will be published in early 2026, appropriately titled, The Struggle.
If you are a wine grower or winemaker, and have not been featured yet in a Grower Profile or Winemaker Profile, please contact us!
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