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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 7, 1983)
Page 8/The Battalion/Wednesday, September 7,1983 Beer getting unusual competition Wine industry growing in Texas United Press International Texas, a state known for beer drinking rednecks, is the home Of a fledgling wine industry that takes itself seriously even if wine drinkers do not. There are currently 14 bonded wineries scattered across the state, and the number is growing rapidly. “By the year 2000, it will be the No. 2 wine producer in the country, surpassing New York,” said novice wine-maker Ron Wetherington, an anthropolog ist with less than a year’s experi ence at winemaking. “The amount of vineyard acres has been doubling each year for the past three years to a current level of slightly more than 2,000 acres,” said Dr. Charles McKinney, a grape ex pert at the University of Texas experimental vineyard in Pecos County. Before Prohibition, there were 30 wineries in Texas. The wine industry began a resurg ence in the 1970s, and it has been growing at a remarkable rate since. “Of the 14 wineries that are in Texas, only a handful have been around for awhile,” said Parker County vintner Steve Smith. Seven of the 14 were started in the last 18 months, he said. He and his father founded La Buena Vida Wineries, one of the oldest of the modern Texas wineries. The Smiths’ operation in Springtown, about 25 miles northwest of Fort Worth, in cludes 12 acres of grapes and an on-site winery. Last year they made 60,000 bottles of red and white wines, and Smith esti mated that would increase to 100,000 bottles this season. They planted their first vines in 1974 and it takes four years to produce a mature, harvestable crop. Smith said La Buena Vida has not made a profit in its five years of wine making. He predicted that would change with the 1983 crop. The state’s oldest bonded winery is the Val Verde Winery in Del Rio, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. It survived Prohibition by making sacramental wines. UT’s McKinney said the old est bonded modern Texas win ery is Llano Estacado in Lub bock, which is also the state’s largest. It has the state’s only col lege-trained wine maker, Kim McPherson, 30, who studied at the University of California- Davis. McPherson worked in Cali fornia’s famed Napa Valley be fore moving to Llano Estacado. He said he is not producing Cali- fornia-quality wines yet, but “we are getting better every year.” “We’re still trying to get a handle on things out here,” he said. “You don’t know what will work and won’t work. Basically what we’re doing is experimen tal research, not that we’re mak ing experimental wines, but he haven’t been in the business 35, 40 years like some out there.” McKinney said it was unfair to make a direct comparison be tween Texas and California chez Creek Winery in Parker County to those produced in California. “I think we have the potential in our vineyard to make a dry table wine as good as anything California can make.” college offers a degree in wine making. Texas A&M, tries to provide assistance, but Wetherington described it as the blind leading the blind. Wetherington bought his eight-acre vineyard last winter although he did not have any agricultural experience, and only a crash course in grape growing and wine making. wines. “A lot of Texas is not like Cali fornia and produces a different style of wine,” he said. “West Texas grows grapes like Califor nia. Central and north central Texas grows grapes like the east ern U.S., so a direct comparison of Texas and California, I think, is not a valid comparison.” But the Smiths’ wines already have won awards. In the Eastern U.S. Wine Competition, a port produced by La Buena Vida in 1980 won a gold medal. Smith said Texas wineries make good wines, not great wines. He predicted the quality would improve as vines age and wine makers gain experience. “We’ll never make a better quality (Cabernet) Sauvignon,” said Wetherington, comparing the wines he produces at his San- Earlier this summer he bot tled his first batch of rose. He pasted labels on the bottles, blended his red and white wines and filled the bottles. Unfortunately instead of a mellow, light colored wine, he came up with a purplish, dry wine that is definitely not a rose. “We’re all new to this busi ness,” he said with a shrug. The University of Texas has begun building a 1,000-acre vineyard and winery in Pecos County in far West Texas. A three-member consortium, which includes two French wine makers, has a lease agreement with the school to run the winery. Wetherington’s vineyard is about 30 miles from the Smiths’, and, rather than compete, they help each other. They sell each other grapes — varieties they grow, but decide they do not want, and they trade informa tion. “We have a long way to go to sell Texans on Texas wines,” Wetherington said. Wine makers in the state are largely on their own. No Texas “This new firm will build and operate a winery, and operate the vineyards, which should reach about 1,000 acres by 1984,” UT spokesman Joe Rod dy said. “It also should produce grapes sufficient to produce 1.5 million gallons of wine by 1988.” Now you know United Press International The condition that gave W.C. Fields his swollen red nose is known as rhinophyma and usually is caused by heavy drinking. £11111 lllli: SUNDAY thru 2fS THURSDAY OPEN BAR What’s up WEDNESDAY CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION: Join us forsupperatfip^ at the Episcopal Student Center, 902 Jersey. STUDENT ENGINEERS’ COUNCILiThere will beanoi nizational meeting for elected members only Wed. at 7 a.i 342 Zachry. Contact Ray Corcoran at 260-4278 for moreinfc mation. FINANCE ASSOCIATION:The first meeting of the year be at 7 p.m. in 102 Blocker (A&A). Resume book and schedt of events will be discussed. TAMU MUSICIANS’ CLUBrThe first meeting ol the semi is at 7 tonight in 504 Rudder and is open to all musicians those interested in music. UNITED CAMPUS MINISTRYfFhere will be a devotii and a $1 dinner from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the A&M Presbytei Church at Northgate. TAMU SKATEBOARD CLUB:A11 those interested arei come to come to the meeting at 6 p.m. in 216T MSC. ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING SOCIETY:Find out IEEE activities at the informational meeting at 7:30 p.m.in Zachry. Refreshments will be served. ACCOUNTING SOCIETY: The freshman and sophoi meeting begins tonight at 7:30 in 165 Blocker (A&A). Fresl man officers will be elected. OFF CAMPUS AGGIES: Involvement opportunities will bed cussed at the first general meeting in 601 Rudder at 6: MSC MADRIGALS: Auditions are now being held formadri| singers, minstrels, instrumentalists and any other special lents. Come by the Vocal Music Office or call Annette Richai son at 764-1076. SCUBA CLUB:A1I divers interested in joining the clubare*t! come to the meeting in 604 AB Rudder at / p.m. MSC ENDOWED LECTURE SERIES: We are now accepts applications for leadership positions. They are availableum Friday at the secretary’s island in 216 MSC. MESQUITE HOMETOWN CLUB :Activities will be planndj at 7 p.m. in 407 AB Rudder. SOCIETY OF AGGIE SCHOLARS:The ice cream party scheduled for 7:30 tonight in 201 MSC. MSC BLACK AWARENESS COMMITTEE:A discussion the calendar of events for the school year will be held at 7 p.m, 301 Rudder. There’ MSC AGGIE CINEMA:The movie tonight is “Beint 7:30 in the Rudder Theater. Admission is SI.50 with aTAMI ID. TEXAS A&M PISTOL TEAM:Tryouts will be held in tk Trigon basement at 7 p.m. until Friday. For more informatiot call Peter Schaller at 846-01 12. STUDENT GOVERNMENT:Pick up applications forcensB and research chairman, communications chairman and mem berships on these committees through Friday in 219 Pavilion Applications for Parents Day and Muster committees are available in the Student Government office. TAMU MENS LACROSSE CLUB:Meet on the Drill Fieldatl p.m. if interested in playing lacrosse for Texas A&M. ning and experienced players welcome. PRE-LAW SOCIETY:W.W. Vance, a crimimal lawyer, wl speak at 7 p.m. in 501 Rudder. New members are welcome JfaodioJ j all night $ 1 Call & exotic drinks Home-made plane crashes, two hurt for more info 693-2818 = United Press International = PELL CITY, Ala. — A home- ^lllllllllilllllllllllMimiltllllllllllllllllllMMIIIIIIIIIIimilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllE built airplane crashed at the St. BOSS BIRD TAKES AVOW. swear that you, ah say you, will be dee-lighted with Tinsley’s Chicken ’n Rolls. You have mah word on it. ” BOSS BIRD Attention All Recognized Student Organizations Check your boxes for a copy of the 1984 Aggieland yearbook contract. If your organization has not received a contract, contact our office at 845-2681 or 845-2682 or come by Room 0012 in the basement of the Reed McDonald Building and pick up a contract. The pilot of the Long Ezzi experimental aircraft was ideiv tified as J. Carlin Johnston Austin. The woman was identi Tied as Judy Johnston. Johnston was listed in fail condition Tuesday at the Uni versity of Alabama-Birmingham Medical Center. The woman was treated for minor injuries and released. Both appeared to be in their early 30s, officials said. An airport spokesman said the single-engine plane, whick was built from a kit, was headed from New Bern, N.C. to Austin and was coming into the airport in Pell City to refuel. The Pell City Fire Depart’ ment received the crash call 5:26 p.m. during an intense thunderstorm. A fire depart’ ment spokesman said appeared wind and rain caused the crash. These fin they dry Port United Press In NEW ORLEAf fun-lovers buffs braved rair say goodbye to a pi Pontcharti Amusement Park The park close the last time Monc more than foui laughter, sceains passage. The cleared, will be i dominiums. “Parks such as i better days,” said Harry Ball. “We’ lot of thrill rid Polic The following reported to the U Department Ft Sunday. THEFTS: •A gold Sears speed bicycle fro: Hall bike rack. •A blue Fuji 1 from the Sterling rary bike rack. •A blue Huffy cle from the wes 1 •A wallet fron of G. Rollie W The student was ball at the time, are a Texas driw in cash and seve RECOVERY •A red Mom 10-speed bicycle the Commons, stolen last wee! parking lot west Hall and north Jordache and MSC Town Hall present AIR SUPPLY ■1 i Plump, flavorful chicken cooked up light n crispy in the natural goodness of pure vegetable oil. Fresh rolls baked from scratch (we were the first). Lots of real country honey—not those piddly little packets of artificial stuff. Honest-to-gosh brewed tea, iced to a refreshing chill. Plus extras like cole slaw, potato salad, big french fries, and jalapeho peppers. That’s the terrific kind of meal you’ll find at Tinsley’s Chicken n Rolls. Ask any body if it isn’t so. Ask Boss Bird. in concert September 23 8:00 p.m. G. Rollie White Coliseum Tickets: g 9.50, g 9.00, *8.00 On sale to the general public, beginning September 5. J 2 Pieces of Chicken and 2 Rolls 954; Delicious light 'n crispy chicken and fresh-baked rolls. Offergoodatall participating Tinsley's Chicken 'n Rolls. Coupon expires: 9/14/83 10 Pieces of Chicken and 10 Rolls $4.69 Delicious light 'n crispy chicken and fresh-baked rolls. Offer good at all participating Tin' - lev's Chicken 'n Rolls. Coupon expires: 9/14/83 1905 Texas Ave., 693-1669 705 N. Texas Ave., 822-2819 512 Villa Maria Rd., 822-5277 1905 Texas Ave., 693-1669 705 N. Texas Ave., 822-2819 512 Villa Maria Rd., 822-5277 7 B Chicken ’n rolls I B Chicken ’n rolls OTHER: • Mud and