Farming wine grapes along the Texas Gulf Coast takes equal parts optimism, grit, and a willingness to learn the hard way, just as farming wine grapes in the Texas High Plains does. Those qualities define Starry Night Farms in Industry, Texas. What began in 2013 as a shoestring experiment planting Blanc du Bois has evolved into a hands-on education in perseverance, shaped by challenging weather, limited labor, and a steep learning curve that few outside agriculture ever see. James and Debie Kasparek, owners of Starry Night Farms, are featured in this month’s Grower Profile. James Kasparek took the time to answer this month’s questions.
What did you do before growing grapes?
I did before and still do work in the oil and gas industry.
When did you first plant your vineyard, and how many acres did you start with?
We started working the ground and installing trellis for our first 1.5-acre block in the fall of 2013. We planted that block in February of 2014. We followed it with our second 1.5-acre block the next year.
How many acres do you have today, and what grapes are planted?
We have about three acres of Blanc du Bois with about 50 experimental vines of Camminare Noir.
Do you farm any other crops? And if so, what?
The only other thing that we farm is growing grass for hay.
What first attracted you to growing grapes?
I found the social part of grape growing in Texas very appealing. Everyone that I met was friendly, and I had fun at their harvest parties. It seemed very romantic. They all failed to mention how much actual work it was.
What is the toughest challenge about being a grape grower in Texas?
There are so many. It’s farming, planning to lose money, and having your heart broken annually. Everything is out to get your grapes: weather, economics, government, fungi, critters…
If you didn’t grow grapes, what would you do?
I would be bored. With a vineyard, there are always too many things to do.
After a long day in the vineyard, what do you like to do?
Relax with my wife.
What’s the best part about being a grape grower?
Waving goodbye to the trucks hauling our grapes off!
What advice would you give someone wanting to start a vineyard today?
Research, research, research. Spend time with existing grape growers and take the Texas Tech Viticulture course before doing anything, including buying land. If all of that doesn’t scare you off, then you might have a chance at being successful.
Leave a Reply