Texas Wineries Form a PAC to Save the Industry During COVID-19 | Eater Austin

"A family-run Fredericksburg winery operated by Brian and Jennifer Heath since 2006, it benefits from an on-site restaurant that allowed it to apply for restaurant-style permitting and continue on-premises service during pandemic-related bar closures. Its co-owner is active in industry advocacy, helping form a PAC to push for treating wineries as their own industry rather than categorizing them as bars; the goal is to reopen tasting rooms, restore direct-to-consumer sales, and protect contracts with local grape growers. The owners argue that lost tasting-room traffic and diminished purchases of Texas grapes have created a cascading impact on both wineries and regional farmers, though this operation is currently in a stronger position than many peers because of its restaurant offering and resulting regulatory allowance." - Gabrielle Pharms