Lawmakers move to make it clear that restaurant patrons can sip a drink while browsing menu.

Shawn Thurman, one of Glazer's key executives, has been tapped to lead Alliance Beverage, the Arizona-based joint distribution venture between Glazer's and Charmer

Texas brewers would lose a potential source of capital and some flexibility in negotiating sales under a bill being considered by the state Senate.

"What we need is a very predictable, reliable funding stream," said Jeff Mohlenkamp, director of the state's Department of Administration in Carson City.

Nothing shows off an industry like a totally sold out trade show weeks before the event. The "Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association" convenes in San Marcos through Saturday with record-breaking attendance and booked hotels.

On Wednesday, Yao introduced his two Napa cabernets from Yao Family Wines to Houston during a vintner's lunch at Reef.

Monty Paulsen slated to be CapRock's new winemaker

New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service will co-host the 32nd annual New Mexico Vine and Wine Society Educational Conference Feb. 21-23.

"The Arizona Wine Growers Association has experienced a 27 percent increase in total revenues and membership with 45 master growers and 18 growers in-development. The 2013 vintage was large and there is much anticipation for the wine it will produce."

How does the oldest winery in the state survive prohibition? What is the real history of Texas wines?

Chef Salad is taking a detour this week and next, interviewing four of the country's leading beverage industry experts, all of whom will be speakers at seminars held at the Hotel Valley Ho for the second annual Arizona Cocktail Week, February 16-22.

New committee members look to grow Arizona's wine industry.

Nine wineries participate in Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail.

"We are sending a big message to the community that the CEDC supports great economic development initiatives such as the Southwest Wine Center. This is a big deal for us, the wine industry and Yavapai College," notes Casey Rooney, economic development director for the City of Cottonwood.

Texans have 66 hours during the week to buy bottled liquor under current law, but two bills filed this session could allow 10 more hours of shopping time by letting liquor stores stay open on Sundays.

There is no indication the slaying was a random act

An Albuquerque winery owner has filed a bankruptcy petition to head off the chance that his piece of a family-owned New Mexico winemaking operation would be seized and sold to satisfy a $4 million debt owed in a Lubbock bankruptcy case.

State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, filed House Bill 421 on Jan. 9. If passed by both houses of the Legislature and signed into law by the governor, the bill will allow liquor stores in Texas to be open from noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Advocates for a new "conservation culture" want water-wasting to one day be as taboo as the littering vilified in "Don't Mess With Texas" ads.

Sisters Shannon Austin Zouzoulas, 37, and Megan Austin Haller, 36, hope that the last obstacle in the way of their dream will also somehow get resolved: the fact that Arizona law prohibits opening a combination winery and brewery.