Texas High Plains is a large AVA in the southern Texas Panhandle of north-western Texas, in the southern United States of America. Covering more than eight million acres (3.25 million ha) of the Trans-Pecos region, it is the second-largest Texas AVA after Texas Hill Country. The plains themselves earn the adjective 'high' by dint of their average altitude of 3500ft (1060m) above sea level.
Agriculture on the High Plains is dominated by cotton and wheat, with viticulture making up only a tiny proportion. Despite the low production levels, Texas High Plains wines are becoming recognized as some of the most reliable in the state and are considerably more successful in national – and even some international – markets than those from any other Texan AVA. In fact, wineries all over Texas buy the local grapes to make their wines, confirming the suitability of the High Plains terroir. (© Proprietary Content, Wine-Searcher.)
The soils which cover the plains are extremely well drained, a fact which magnifies the effects of the already-dry continental climate. A lack of regular rainfall, compounded by the dry winds which whip moisture from the crops and soil, makes irrigation a necessity. Due to the plains' increased altitude, average annual temperatures here are not as high as in the lower-lying valleys of Texas (such as Mesilla and Escondido). The temperatures are even more moderate in winter and spring, when they rarely drop below freezing. This significantly reduces the risk of spring frost in Texas High Plains vineyards, even though it is a significant viticultural challenge for almost every other AVA in the state. Diurnal temperature variation is a key element; while the rest of Texas also enjoys this characteristic, in the High Plains region it occurs when it is of most use – during the ripening period.
A vital local resource is the Ogallala Aquifer (also known as the High Plains Aquifer), a water table aquifer of vast proportions which lies under the core of America's Midwest. Its deepest point and northern edge lie under Nebraska, 600 miles (1000km) to the north, while the Texas High Plains sit over its shallower southern edge. Without this resource to irrigate the vines it would be almost impossible to practice successful viticulture in the region.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are the key grape varieties grown here, alongside Tempranillo and Grenache – two other varieties known to perform well in warm, dry climates. White grapes are also grown, but to a much lesser extent, mostly from Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Canelli and Chardonnay.
