WHO WE ARE
We’ve been uncorking the potential of vintages produced on Texas soil since 1976. Now, we’re the largest, best-selling premium winery in Texas. We produce wines of world-class quality and introduce fine wines made in the Lone Star State to the global market.
AWARD-WINNING WINE
We set out to create exceptional wines. And our focus remains on producing premium quality and world-class taste in every bottle.
FIND OUR WINES
You'll find Llano wine in stores across Texas and beyond! Use our store locator to find your favorite wine near you.
ORDER WINE
Missing your favorite Llano wine? Not living in Texas? Shop online, and we’ll ship Texas’ Best straight to your door!
BRINGING VINEYARDS TO WEST TEXAS SOIL
Our winery started modestly, funded by a passionate group of investors. Among them was a Texas Tech horticulturist, convinced that West Texas soil could produce quality wine grapes.
It wasn’t easy persuading local farmers to invest in vineyards. But after we built our original winemaking facility outside Lubbock in 1976, vineyards began to dot the Texas High Plains.
By 1980, word spread that an upstart West Texas label was making quality wine. We hired former Seagram’s President, Walter Haimann, to steer the winery into our next chapter.
GAINING RECOGNITION
We broke out onto the American wine scene with a rare Double Gold Medal for our 1984 Chardonnay. It was a thrilling start at the San Francisco Fair’s prestigious International Wine Competition. As we continued to grow and win awards and accolades—domestically and internationally—we raised the profile of Texas wines as a whole.
Within the next 20 years, our wines could be found in many states outside of Texas—as well as three European markets, Japan, and Russia. It was then that we convinced third-generation California winemaker, Greg Bruni, to take over winemaking and production responsibilities. Shortly after, Mark Hyman joined Llano as our V.P. of Sales & Marketing, rounding out the most professional management team in the Texas wine industry.
THE STORY OF WEST TEXAS WINEMAKING
Franciscan missionaries prayed for many things at the Ysleta missions near El Paso. In 1662, they added a few when they introduced winemaking to West Texas. Fast-forward to today and Texas is in the midst of a grape-growing and winemaking renaissance.
The demand for locally produced, Texas-made wine continues to rise. More and more vineyards are being planted every year.
THE TEXAS HIGH PLAINS APPELLATION
Continuing the legacy of the Franciscans, the Texas High Plains Appellation was established in 1993 as the largest wine-grape appellation in the state. But what makes it so special? With flat terrain covering much of the Panhandle, the Texas High Plains experiences long, hot, dry summers with cool evenings. The soil—mainly San Antonio Sandy Loam—drains well and is free of the louse that has plagued Californian and French winemakers for centuries.
Fed by irrigation water from the Ogalala Aquifer and approximately 18 inches of annual rainfall, these West Texan grapevines produce better quality fruit that retain more natural acidity. And while hailstorms and frosts can occasionally lighten crops and damage vines, growers typically retain 90% of their grapes. In fact, the premium quality of Texas High Plains Appellation grapes has been proven time and time again.
WHERE WE ARE TODAY
Eventually becoming President/CEO, Hyman brought in William Freidhof as VP, Sales & Marketing and Kristi Ward to lead as VP, Finance & Administration. The team was rounded out with Jason Centanni as our in-house winemaker. The result is what you’ve come to expect from the West Texas winery pioneer.
Our market sales have grown to over 160,000 cases annually and we’re still expanding. With new ideas, new innovations, new wines, and new technology, we’ll continue to propel Llano Estacado to the forefront—where it remains as the best-selling premium winery in Texas!
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