Dr. Becker and the Texas Wine Industry

Becker Vineyards

By: Jim Mikula

Dr. Richard Becker, founder of Becker Vineyards, appears on the cover of the latest issue of Rock & Vine magazine, which also features an insightful article about him. Many leaders in the Texas wine industry believe Dr. Becker is to Hill Country wine industry what Robert Mondavi was to Napa Valley wine industry. When Mondavi started his winery, there were 25 wineries in Napa Valley. Today there are over 500. When Dr. Becker started his winery, there were two wineries in Gillespie County: Bell Mountain (unfortunately no longer an operating winery) and Grape Creek. Dr. Becker’s Texas wine permit is number 29. Today there are over 75 permits in Gillespie County and more than 700 in the state. In 30 years, the wine industry in Gillespie County has grown significantly. Our county’s wine industry is a vital component of Texas’s $20+ billion wine economy. It drives substantial economic output, supports thousands of jobs, and attracts significant tourism spending. The county benefits from both direct wine production and the broader tourism and service activities associated with the wine sector, making it a key economic engine in the region.

Medium-sized wineries in Texas, which are common in Gillespie County, contribute significantly to local economies. For example, a medium-sized winery producing around 12,000 cases annually generates approximately $27.5 million in total economic output and supports about 161 jobs valued at around $5.7 million in wages. The average annual wage for employees in the medium-sized wineries is $48,900, and according to MIT Living Wage calculator for Gillespie County, a living wage is $42,900.

A summary of the economic impact of the Texas Wine Industry:

Metric	Value (2023)
Total Economic Impact	$20.35 billion
Jobs Supported	141,235
Total Wages	$6.91 billion
Number of Wineries	443 (core), ~1,000 total
Vineyard Acres	1,474
Annual Tourism Revenue	$685–700 million
State & Local Taxes	$387 million

Supporting the economic growth of the Texas wine industry is the quality of the wines. From Dr. Becker’s early days of developing his award-winning Viognier to the more recent awards won by local wineries at the famous Concourse International de Lyon in France, the pattern of growing notoriety and respect has been established. This is similar to the pattern of the Napa Valley’s growth and maturity in the industry. It’s good news that while the Texas Wine Industry is increasing in volume it is also increasing its quality of wine and, commensurately, its recognition.

We are looking forward to the Fredericksburg Food and Wine Festival this fall as we continue to showcase the depth and breadth of Texas wine country. Join us for our pre-view week in July! Along with a full slate of toasting and tasting, we will celebrate and honor Becker Vineyards 30th anniversary!