GO TEXAN THE Truly Significant

For more than four decades, Porter Garner III has been a steady hand and a trusted voice guiding the Association of Former Students. He made Aggie core values strategic. Porter is emblematic of the heroes from our book When Core Values are Strategic.Porter didn’t just lead an organization, he strengthened the Aggie Network. Clearly, it’s one of the most loyal and powerful communities anywhere in the world. His leadership and teamwork accelerated participation from 100, 000 to over 650,000 supportive former students. He multiplied the multipliers.Porter understands something every Aggie knows deep down: that the Aggie Ring isn’t just a piece of gold. It’s a promise. A promise that wherever life takes you, you’ll stand ready to help a fellow Aggie. Porter drilled it deep…Aggies help other Aggies.Under Porter’s leadership, the Aggie Network grew stronger, traditions grew deeper, and generations of Aggies stayed connected to the values that make Texas A&M special — respect, integrity, leadership, loyalty, selfless service, and excellence.Porter Garner didn’t just serve Texas A&M. He served the people who make Texas strong.

Truly Significant Texans honors Nolan Newsome of Newsom Vineyards. Enjoy this informative conversation with a "Texas original," second generation grape grower and wine maker. Hear the story of pioneering grape growing in the High Plains of Texas. Listen to the struggles of the industry and learn about the "Cinderella year" of 2017 when the weather was perfect and the output set a record with 27,000 cases of wine. And from Nolan, consider his head on car collision and 27 surgeries that followed. It was life changing and now serves as his "personal weather station," as cold front effects his joints. Visit www.newsomvineyards.com and join us for the Easter Sunset celebration in Comfort, Texas. 

GO TEXAN Truly Significant Texans in Agriculture had illuminating podcast conversations at the 2026 annual convention of the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association. Enjoy conversations that are bullish about the future of the Texas Wine Industry: Carol Faulkenberry- Regional Sales Representative for the Texas Department of AgricultureAnnisa- Marketing specialist for Uncork Texas, division of the Texas Department of Agriculture; Annisa shares her dream to help disabled people through agriculture and equestrian therapy. Michael and Paige Qualia- grape growers and winemakers in Canyon and Del Rio, Texas. This is our only father-daughter interview that inspired a conversation about next generation grape growing.London Sheffield and Connor Riley- Standard Cooperage, oak wine barrel makers in Blanco, Texas. London sings an original song about making barrelsMichael Paz- from Texana Harvest Company (mechanical harvesting), olive grower and insightful next generation farmer.This show represents the complexity and rich industry of Texas wine and growers.  Based on this collection, one can predict a very bright future. 

GO TEXAN Truly Significant Texans features the "fighting" Kim Followwill, Texas A&M Class of 1979. We celebrate her journey of tenacity overcoming hurricanes, floods, drought and other acts of God. Enjoy this conversation that goes deep into olive farming, planting methods, high density orchards, and how olives thrive when they struggle. Kim talks of life, olives and life lessons worth your listening. 

GO TEXAN Truly Significant Texans in Agriculture honors Dr. Olufeni Alabi, Wine Industry Scientist and professor at Texas A&M University. Hear the good doctor's inspiring story of his lifetime pursuits in viticulture, starting in Nigeria.Appreciate Olufeni scientific contributions that help the Texas wine industry that spans 14,000 acres, 700 vineyards and employs 136,000 full time professionals. 

GO TEXAN Truly Significant Texans in Agriculture honors Dr. Andreea Botenzatu, Wine Industry Scientist and professor at Texas A&M University. Hear Andreea's inspiring story of her Grandfather and her lifetime pursuits in viticulture. Appreciate Andreea's scientific contributions that help the Texas wine industry that spans 14,000 acres, 700 vineyards and employs 136,000 full time professionals. 

GO TEXAN Truly Significant Texans in Agriculture podcast honors Neal Newsom, pioneer in Texas grape growing and winemaking. Neal's family had grown cotton around Lubbock for over a century, but concerns about water shortages and a desire to diversify led him to explore new crops- ultimately choosing wine grapes. Neal planted three acres of Cabernet Sauvingnon on very challenging land. The first commercial crop in 1989 brought back about $500 to a winery in Garden City- a humble start that set the course for the business. Over decades, he and his wife Janice expanded to 150 acreas with 19 varieties including reds and whites like Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo, Pinot Grigio, Albanino and more. Neal is well known in the Texas wine community not just growing grapes but also for hosting educational events like Newsom Grape Day to bring growers and winemakers together. Visit www.newsomvineyards.com 

GO TEXAN honors Paul Bonarrigo, co leader with Karen, at Messina Hof winery, an extraordinary grape growing and winery with multiple locations in Texas. Karen is the President of the Texas Wine and Grape Growing Association that oversees an important, multi billion sector. Paul is super passionate, visionary, faith led and eyes wide open on all factors facing this rewarding journey.Visit www.messinahof.com for information on their winery. Visit www.txwines.org for details on the association. Read about Merrill and Paul, founders and visionary.....people of deep faith.Hear about Paul's lineage and the future generations to make wine in Texas. About the industry: The Texas wine industry is dynamic, economically significant, and growing quickly — blending rich history, diverse climates, expanding vineyards, and tourism-driven cultural appeal. It faces challenges like production scaling and climate pressures but continues to carve out a distinct place in the U.S. wine landscape.Big-Picture Economic ContributionThe Texas wine industry has a huge economic footprint, with recent studies estimating its total impact at about $24.39 billion statewide. This includes direct sales, tourism, jobs, and tax revenue.It supports over 136,000 jobs and contributes billions in wages and tax revenue.Wine tourism draws millions of visitors annually to regions like the Texas Hill Country, generating hundreds of millions in local spending.Production vs. ConsumptionTexans drink more than 60 million gallons of wine annually, but only a small fraction (2–4 million gallons) is made from Texas-grown grapes — meaning roughly 94–97 % of wine consumed in Texas is imported from other states or countries.2. History & Growth Early RootsWine production in Texas dates back to at least the 1650s, when Spanish missionaries planted the first vines for sacramental wine near what’s now El Paso.Modern ExpansionThe commercial wine industry was modest until the late 20th century. Vineyard licenses grew significantly in recent decades as Texas embraced viticulture more fully.Today, Texas ranks as one of the largest wine-producing states in the U.S. by number of wineries and economic impact.3. Wine Regions & Terroir Texas has multiple American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) — designated grape-growing regions recognized for their unique climates and soils. Key AVAsTexas Hill Country AVA – Central Texas region and one of the largest AVAs in the nation. Known for diverse varietals and strong tourism appeal.Texas High Plains AVA – Cooler climate and higher elevation make it the largest source of wine grape acreage in the state.Texoma AVA – Northern region near Lake Texoma with several vineyards and wineries.Texas Davis Mountains AVA – Small, high-elevation area with unique terroir in West Texas.Escondido Valley AVA and others represent smaller, specialized regions.

GO TEXAN honors Karen Bonarrigo, co leader with husband Paul, at Messina Hof winery, an extraordinary grape growing and winery with multiple locations in Texas. Karen is the President of the Texas Wine and Grape Growing Association that oversees an important, multi billion sector. She is super passionate, visionary, faith led and eyes wide open on all factors facing this rewarding journey.Visit www.messinahof.com for information on Karen and Paul's winery. Visit www.txwines.org for details on the association. Read about Merrill and Paul, founders and visionary.....people of deep faith.About the industry: The Texas wine industry is dynamic, economically significant, and growing quickly — blending rich history, diverse climates, expanding vineyards, and tourism-driven cultural appeal. It faces challenges like production scaling and climate pressures but continues to carve out a distinct place in the U.S. wine landscape.Big-Picture Economic ContributionThe Texas wine industry has a huge economic footprint, with recent studies estimating its total impact at about $24.39 billion statewide. This includes direct sales, tourism, jobs, and tax revenue.It supports over 136,000 jobs and contributes billions in wages and tax revenue.Wine tourism draws millions of visitors annually to regions like the Texas Hill Country, generating hundreds of millions in local spending.Production vs. ConsumptionTexans drink more than 60 million gallons of wine annually, but only a small fraction (2–4 million gallons) is made from Texas-grown grapes — meaning roughly 94–97 % of wine consumed in Texas is imported from other states or countries.2. History & Growth Early RootsWine production in Texas dates back to at least the 1650s, when Spanish missionaries planted the first vines for sacramental wine near what’s now El Paso.Modern ExpansionThe commercial wine industry was modest until the late 20th century. Vineyard licenses grew significantly in recent decades as Texas embraced viticulture more fully.Today, Texas ranks as one of the largest wine-producing states in the U.S. by number of wineries and economic impact.3. Wine Regions & Terroir Texas has multiple American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) — designated grape-growing regions recognized for their unique climates and soils. Key AVAsTexas Hill Country AVA – Central Texas region and one of the largest AVAs in the nation. Known for diverse varietals and strong tourism appeal.Texas High Plains AVA – Cooler climate and higher elevation make it the largest source of wine grape acreage in the state.Texoma AVA – Northern region near Lake Texoma with several vineyards and wineries.Texas Davis Mountains AVA – Small, high-elevation area with unique terroir in West Texas.Escondido Valley AVA and others represent smaller, specialized regions.

GO TEXAN presents Truly Significant Texans in Agriculture featuring Guy Stout, veteran grape grower, wine maker and pioneer within Texas wine industry. Enjoy hearing from Guy who has served in practically every position in restaurants and on the farm. His expertise ranges from sommeilier to wine maker, industry leader and organizer, and importantly, a voice of history in Texas viticulture. 

Thanks to Commissioner Sid Miller, esteemed leader over the Texas Department of Agriculture, the GO TEXAN podcast featuring Truly Significant Texans debuts on March 1st. Based on the core values of respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity and selfless service, this podcast was born from the popular book- Truly Significant: Conversations with Big Hearted People. Forty-one inspiring stories of people who lift others up, were curated by veteran podcaster Rick Tocquigny from the Success Made to Last library of over 4000 shows his Austin based media team has broadcasted. This podcast aligns with the Texas Department of Agriculture mission to partner with all Texans to make Texas the nation's leader in agriculture, fortify our economy, empower rural communities, promote healthy lifestyles, market Texas products, provide bio security and consumer protection, and cultivate winning strategies for rural, suburban, and urban Texas through exceptional service and common threads of agriculture in our daily lives. This core mission defines what this podcast strives to accomplish and guides how we approach the honoring of Truly Significant Texas in Agriculture.