San Jacinto County vs. Terry County
Forest History & Grape Capital
This match-up pairs the deep woods of the Sam Houston National Forest with the vineyards of the High Plains. San Jacinto County is a haven for nature lovers and history buffs near Houston. Terry County, southwest of Lubbock, is the "Grape Capital of Texas," producing the vast majority of the state's wine grapes. One is defined by tall pines and creeks; the other by red soil and vines.
San Jacinto County (Population Approx. 27,000)
San Jacinto County is where the forest takes over. Coldspring and Shepherd are gateways to the Sam Houston National Forest and Lake Livingston. The economy is driven by timber, tourism, and commuters to the Houston area. The vibe is quiet, green, and historic. Challenges include managing growth from the expanding metroplex and maintaining rural roads.
Terry County (Population Approx. 11,000)
Terry County is the Napa of Texas (in terms of production). Brownfield sits in the center of a region that grows over 80% of the wine grapes in the state. The red sandy loam soil is perfect for vineyards. The community is agricultural, innovative, and proud of its transition from cotton to Cabernet. Challenges include water conservation and labor shortages.
Why It Matters
San Jacinto County provides recreation and green space for a massive urban population. Terry County provides the raw product for a booming statewide wine industry. Both counties demonstrate how rural land can be adapted for new economic uses.
Why Forward
Forward believes that the forester in Coldspring and the vigneron in Brownfield both cultivate our state.
In San Jacinto County, protecting the rural character is a priority. Open Primaries would allow the community to elect leaders who focus on environmental stewardship and smart growth, rather than partisan issues. Ranked Choice Voting would help the diverse communities in the forest work together.
In Terry County, agriculture is evolving. Ranked Choice Voting empowers the farming community to support candidates who understand the specific needs of the vineyard industry-like water rights and tourism promotion-ensuring that the Grape Capital continues to thrive.
Did You Know…
Brownfield (Terry) is officially the "Grape Capital of Texas," growing the majority of the state's wine grapes.
The Sam Houston National Forest covers a large portion of San Jacinto County, offering hiking on the Lone Star Hiking Trail.
Coldspring (San Jacinto) features a historic courthouse square and the Old Town jail museum.
Terry County vineyards supply grapes to wineries all over the state, including Fredericksburg.
Wolf Creek Park on Lake Livingston is a premier camping and fishing destination in San Jacinto County.
Why Texans Love Living Here
San Jacinto residents love the shade of the pines, the weekends on the lake, and the escape from the city hustle. Terry locals love the rows of vines, the local wine tasting rooms, and the pioneering spirit of High Plains agriculture.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
Wolf Creek Car Show (Coldspring/San Jacinto): A classic car gathering in the park.
Terry County Grape Capital of Texas Vineyard Festival: Celebrating the harvest with wine tasting and tours.
Christmas on the Square (Coldspring): A holiday tradition in the historic district.
Harvest Festival (Brownfield): Celebrating the agricultural bounty.
People & Tech Created This
The profiles and shared challenges were gathered from Texas Forward Party supporters and written using ChatGPT and Gemini models to combine verified public data, official county/state sources, and general knowledge from Texas historical and government records:
