Women in Texas Wineries
Women have been contributing to the Texas Wine Industry since it started its resurrection in 1976. Merrill Bonarrigo worked side by side with hubby Paul in establishing Messina Hof Winery. She has transferred that task to her daughter in law, Karen Bonarrigo, working with Paul VII. The Bonarrigo Family has been named the “First Family of Texas Wines.” Susan Auler started Fall Creek Winery with her husband Ed during the 1970’s. The amazing thing is their wineries are now flowing to the next generation. Benedicte Rhyne came from France to help produce wine at St. Genevieve Winery in the early part of this century, working there for 16 years. She is now the winemaker for Kuhlman Cellars, making wine in the style of her native Provence, France. Penny Adams has worked in vineyards for years, starting when she was a young lass working with her Father in the Vineyards. She has kept working in the vineyards working for Wedding Oak Winery for many years. She has been dubbed as the “First Lady of Texas Vineyards.” Theses are a few of the early Women Pioneers in the Texas Wine Industry. We have young women entering the Texas Women Industry, helping to establish Texas as a role model for women inclusion in what was previously called man’s work.
One of the young Texas women in Texas wineries is Wedding Oak Winery assistant winemaker, Elizabeth Kuehne. She brings new ideas and new methodology to her job at the winery. In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities for cellar management and assisting with all aspects of production, Elizabeth is pursuing passion projects, such as creating a new Piquette that will be introduced soon at Wedding Oak Winery. She brings a background in chemistry, with a concentration in organic chemistry, to her role and continually seeks to introduce new methods to improve the wine. Before joining the winery full time in 2022, she previously worked as a summer intern for two harvests at Wedding Oak Winery before joining the team as an employee for her third crush this summer.
Born on the Texas Gulf Coast, Texas Heritage Vineyard owner and co-winemaker, Susan Johnson didn’t grow up dreaming of growing grapes and making wine. Susan’s family came to Texas in the 1830’s and laid down deep roots in the rich Texas terroir. That passion for Texas dirt is still alive and inspiring the family every day. In 2002, Susan and her husband, Billy Johnson, moved from Austin to Fredericksburg, the heart of the Texas Hill Country. They planted a three-acre field of lavender and worked that farm each weekend. After retiring from a full-time career with State Farm Insurance in 2013, Susan enrolled in the Texas Tech Viticulture program and began exploring growing grapes. The Johnsons planted their first grapevines in 2015 and have expanded their vineyard acreage each year with more vines.
The Texas Heritage Vineyard estate vineyard currently has 12.5 acres under vine with several grape varietals growing including Alicante Bouschet, Malbec, Tempranillo, Tannat, Souzao, and Viognier. Texas Heritage Vineyard harvested 28 tons of grapes in 2020 from the estate vineyard.
Growing grapes lead, naturally, to a desire to make wine. The Johnsons built a winery in 2017 and the Texas Heritage Tasting Room opened on Highway 290 in Fredericksburg, Texas in May 2018. The progression has been a labor of love for the entire family including children and grandchildren. Daughter, Jessica Allen, is the tasting room manager and daughter, Amber George, supplies merchandise for sale and marketing expertise. Son, Cody Johnson, worked for a time in the vineyard in the early years, planting and working with the vines. Grandson, Austin George, still in high school in McKinney will work in the winery during crush this year to begin learning the trade.