GO TEXAN THE Truly Significant

GO TEXAN Truly Significant Texans features the "fighting" Kim Followwill, Texas A&M Class of 1979. We celebrate her journey of tenacity overcoming hurricanes, floods, drought and other acts of God. 

Enjoy this conversation that goes deep into olive farming, planting methods, high density orchards, and how olives thrive when they struggle. 

Kim talks of life, olives and life lessons worth your listening.

GO TEXAN Truly Significant Texans in Agriculture honors Dr. Olufeni Alabi, Wine Industry Scientist and professor at Texas A&M University. 

Hear the good doctor's inspiring story of his lifetime pursuits in viticulture, starting in Nigeria.

Appreciate Olufeni scientific contributions that help the Texas wine industry that spans 14,000 acres, 700 vineyards and employs 136,000 full time professionals.

GO TEXAN Truly Significant Texans in Agriculture honors Dr. Andreea Botenzatu, Wine Industry Scientist and professor at Texas A&M University. 

Hear Andreea's inspiring story of her Grandfather and her lifetime pursuits in viticulture. 

Appreciate Andreea's scientific contributions that help the Texas wine industry that spans 14,000 acres, 700 vineyards and employs 136,000 full time professionals.

GO TEXAN Truly Significant Texans in Agriculture podcast honors Neal Newsom, pioneer in Texas grape growing and winemaking. 

Neal's family had grown cotton around Lubbock for over a century, but concerns about water shortages and a desire to diversify led him to explore new crops- ultimately choosing wine grapes. 

Neal planted three acres of Cabernet Sauvingnon on very challenging land. The first commercial crop in 1989 brought back about $500 to a winery in Garden City- a humble start that set the course for the business. 

Over decades, he and his wife Janice expanded to 150 acreas with 19 varieties including reds and whites like Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo, Pinot Grigio, Albanino and more. 

Neal is well known in the Texas wine community not just growing grapes but also for hosting educational events like Newsom Grape Day to bring growers and winemakers together. 

Visit www.newsomvineyards.com

GO TEXAN honors Paul Bonarrigo, co leader with Karen, at Messina Hof winery, an extraordinary grape growing and winery with multiple locations in Texas. Karen is the President of the Texas Wine and Grape Growing Association that oversees an important, multi billion sector. Paul is super passionate, visionary, faith led and eyes wide open on all factors facing this rewarding journey.
Visit www.messinahof.com for information on their winery. Visit www.txwines.org for details on the association. Read about Merrill and Paul, founders and visionary.....people of deep faith.

Hear about Paul's lineage and the future generations to make wine in Texas. 

About the industry: The Texas wine industry is dynamic, economically significant, and growing quickly — blending rich history, diverse climates, expanding vineyards, and tourism-driven cultural appeal. It faces challenges like production scaling and climate pressures but continues to carve out a distinct place in the U.S. wine landscape.

Big-Picture Economic Contribution

• The Texas wine industry has a huge economic footprint, with recent studies estimating its total impact at about $24.39 billion statewide. This includes direct sales, tourism, jobs, and tax revenue.
• It supports over 136,000 jobs and contributes billions in wages and tax revenue.
• Wine tourism draws millions of visitors annually to regions like the Texas Hill Country, generating hundreds of millions in local spending.

Production vs. Consumption

• Texans drink more than 60 million gallons of wine annually, but only a small fraction (2–4 million gallons) is made from Texas-grown grapes — meaning roughly 94–97 % of wine consumed in Texas is imported from other states or countries.

2. History & Growth Early Roots

• Wine production in Texas dates back to at least the 1650s, when Spanish missionaries planted the first vines for sacramental wine near what’s now El Paso.

Modern Expansion

• The commercial wine industry was modest until the late 20th century. Vineyard licenses grew significantly in recent decades as Texas embraced viticulture more fully.
• Today, Texas ranks as one of the largest wine-producing states in the U.S. by number of wineries and economic impact.

3. Wine Regions & Terroir Texas has multiple American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) — designated grape-growing regions recognized for their unique climates and soils. Key AVAs

• Texas Hill Country AVA – Central Texas region and one of the largest AVAs in the nation. Known for diverse varietals and strong tourism appeal.
• Texas High Plains AVA – Cooler climate and higher elevation make it the largest source of wine grape acreage in the state.
• Texoma AVA – Northern region near Lake Texoma with several vineyards and wineries.
• Texas Davis Mountains AVA – Small, high-elevation area with unique terroir in West Texas.
• Escondido Valley AVA and others represent smaller, specialized regions.

GO TEXAN honors Karen Bonarrigo, co leader with husband Paul, at Messina Hof winery, an extraordinary grape growing and winery with multiple locations in Texas. Karen is the President of the Texas Wine and Grape Growing Association that oversees an important, multi billion sector. She is super passionate, visionary, faith led and eyes wide open on all factors facing this rewarding journey.
Visit www.messinahof.com for information on Karen and Paul's winery. Visit www.txwines.org for details on the association. Read about Merrill and Paul, founders and visionary.....people of deep faith.

About the industry: The Texas wine industry is dynamic, economically significant, and growing quickly — blending rich history, diverse climates, expanding vineyards, and tourism-driven cultural appeal. It faces challenges like production scaling and climate pressures but continues to carve out a distinct place in the U.S. wine landscape.

Big-Picture Economic Contribution

• The Texas wine industry has a huge economic footprint, with recent studies estimating its total impact at about $24.39 billion statewide. This includes direct sales, tourism, jobs, and tax revenue.
• It supports over 136,000 jobs and contributes billions in wages and tax revenue.
• Wine tourism draws millions of visitors annually to regions like the Texas Hill Country, generating hundreds of millions in local spending.

Production vs. Consumption

• Texans drink more than 60 million gallons of wine annually, but only a small fraction (2–4 million gallons) is made from Texas-grown grapes — meaning roughly 94–97 % of wine consumed in Texas is imported from other states or countries.

2. History & Growth Early Roots

• Wine production in Texas dates back to at least the 1650s, when Spanish missionaries planted the first vines for sacramental wine near what’s now El Paso.

Modern Expansion

• The commercial wine industry was modest until the late 20th century. Vineyard licenses grew significantly in recent decades as Texas embraced viticulture more fully.
• Today, Texas ranks as one of the largest wine-producing states in the U.S. by number of wineries and economic impact.

3. Wine Regions & Terroir Texas has multiple American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) — designated grape-growing regions recognized for their unique climates and soils. Key AVAs

• Texas Hill Country AVA – Central Texas region and one of the largest AVAs in the nation. Known for diverse varietals and strong tourism appeal.
• Texas High Plains AVA – Cooler climate and higher elevation make it the largest source of wine grape acreage in the state.
• Texoma AVA – Northern region near Lake Texoma with several vineyards and wineries.
• Texas Davis Mountains AVA – Small, high-elevation area with unique terroir in West Texas.
• Escondido Valley AVA and others represent smaller, specialized regions.

GO TEXAN presents Truly Significant Texans in Agriculture featuring Guy Stout, veteran grape grower, wine maker and pioneer within Texas wine industry. 

Enjoy hearing from Guy who has served in practically every position in restaurants and on the farm. 
His expertise ranges from sommeilier to wine maker, industry leader and organizer, and importantly, a voice of history in Texas viticulture.

Thanks to Commissioner Sid Miller, esteemed leader over the Texas Department of Agriculture, the GO TEXAN podcast featuring Truly Significant Texans debuts on March 1st. 

Based on the core values of respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity and selfless service, this podcast was born from the popular book- Truly Significant: Conversations with Big Hearted People. Forty-one inspiring stories of people who lift others up, were curated by veteran podcaster Rick Tocquigny from the Success Made to Last library of over 4000 shows his Austin based media team has broadcasted. 

This podcast aligns with the Texas Department of Agriculture mission to partner with all Texans to make Texas the nation's leader in agriculture, fortify our economy, empower rural communities, promote healthy lifestyles, market Texas products, provide bio security and consumer protection, and cultivate winning strategies for rural, suburban, and urban Texas through exceptional service and common threads of agriculture in our daily lives. 

This core mission defines what this podcast strives to accomplish and guides how we approach the honoring of Truly Significant Texas in Agriculture.