Land Suitability Analysis of the Fredericksburg Viticulture Area in the Texas Hill Country
Presentation Time: Wed, 08/03/2022 - 11:30
Keywords: Suitability Analysis, Viticulture, Weighted Overlay, Surface Analysis, Spatial Analysis
In the last 50 years, commercial vineyards in Texas have grown from a handful to more than five hundred. Wine production has tripled since 2012, making Texas the sixth largest producer of wine in the United States. Like California’s renowned Napa Valley, the Texas Hill Country is ripe for agritourism and wine cultivation bringing millions of visitors and billions of dollars to the state annually. Wineries and vineyards continue to grow, but few new owners have agricultural experience. Due to its unique climate and lack of historical data, growers and winemakers are still determining the best use of the terrain while navigating harsh weather and regional hazards. Proper site selection is critical. Spatial analysis of climate, soil and terrain characteristics were used to determine variables with the most impact on land suitability in the Fredericksburg viticulture region of the Texas Hill Country. Geospatial software was used to create a weighted overlay model of 14 potential variables. Surface analysis found aspect, slope, solar radiation, flood frequency, drainage class, current land usage and available water storage to be statistically significant to this study. Potential areas were ranked on a scale of one to five, with one being permanently unsuitable and five being highly suitable for viticulture. Results found 594 acres (27%) to be highly suitable, 1,158 acres (53%) to be moderately suitable, and 430 acres (20%) not suitable for viticulture. Safeguarding vineyards from climate extremes is the best way for growers in Fredericksburg to ensure high quality yields. Results of this study could help growers select prime areas for viticulture, but emphasis on natural and biological hazards, like Pearce’s disease, and varietal specific factors are also essential.
