BROWNFIELD, Texas (KCBD) - Grapes, vineyards and Terry County. Lorena Valencia, who serves at the Brownfield Chamber of Commerce executive director, explains why.

“We are actually the official ‘Grape Capital of Texas’. We were proclaimed that back in 2015 by Governor Abbott,” she said, “We have more vineyards here in Terry County than any other county in Texas, which Central Texas thought they could debate that-but they didn’t win. We are the official here in Terry County.”

The Chamber has been greatly invested in the area’s grape growing, there is even a small vineyard on display right across from their office.

“We do have a small line of vineyards there. There’s different types of varieties, each vineyard can have up to 30 different varieties in their vineyards,” Valencia said. “Reddy Vineyards has over 300 acres, and they have over 30 varieties, and we also have the largest vineyard in Texas here in Terry County, which is Lahey Vineyards.”

The Chamber director tells Fox34 Brownfield’s geographic location makes it the perfect place for viticulture.

“The soil, the temperature it all plays into how the grapes grow,” she says. “Our temperatures cool down in the evenings, there’s no chance of mold buildup, so that’s a good thing, and of course, the soil is just great for the growing of vines.”

Later this summer, the town will host the Grape Capital of Texas Vineyard Festival. Friday, July 29, will feature a food and wine event with area restaurant from Lubbock and Brownfield- along with wineries from all over Texas, selling by the glass or bottle. On Saturday, connoisseurs can learn more about the wine.

“We have vineyard tours where you actually go and visit three different vineyards, talk to the owners. They’ll talk about the whole process from ‘vine to bottle’, and so it’s a great learning experience,” Valencia explained. “If you’re interested in having a vineyard, it’d be a great opportunity to come learn about the whole process.”

Our Town Brownfield: Grape Capital of Texas