Muson Family Legacy Celebrated at Grayson College Teaching Distillery and Vineyard

Grayson College recently welcomed members of the Munson family and stockholders of Munson Realty for their annual shareholders meeting and luncheon, held in a setting deeply connected to the family’s historic legacy in viticulture.

Following their meeting, approximately 50 guests gathered at the Grayson College Teaching Distillery overlooking the T.V. Munson Memorial Vineyard, where they enjoyed an afternoon of fellowship and celebration. Guests shared a meal catered by Wheeler’s BBQ, played cornhole and sampled T.V. Munson wines produced by TerraVox, along with cider created by students in Grayson College’s Cider Production class within the Distillation program.

The event also highlighted the continued growth and preservation of the memorial vineyard. Dr. Justin Scheiner, Grayson College Adjunct Professor and Associate Professor and Extension Viticulture Specialist at Texas A&M University, and Michael Cook, Grayson College Adjunct Professor and Viticulture Program Specialist II for North Texas with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, brought grape varieties to be planted, contributing new additions to the collection.

Cook introduced Japanese ornamental eating grapes and PIWI German hybrid varieties, similar in spirit to the innovative cultivars developed by T.V. Munson generations ago. Scheiner provided additional varietals to strengthen the vineyard’s display block, helping replace vines such as Hussman, Valhallah and Extra.

As part of the day’s activities, the Munson family participated in planting a Ponroy vine, a rootstock variety originally created by T.V. Munson, further connecting the family’s heritage to the College’s living educational vineyard.

Robin Bogue, Professor and Director of Viticulture and Enology at Grayson College, led a vineyard tour for guests, sharing insight into the vine growing cycle, the diversity of grape varieties and the remarkable regrowth taking place among vines that had previously been cut back. Scheiner and Cook also answered questions and shared their expertise about the Ponroy species and other grape varieties.

“Grayson College is proud to serve as a place where history, education and community come together,” said Dr. Jeremy McMillen, President of Grayson College. “The legacy of T.V. Munson continues to inspire learning and innovation, and events like this showcase how we honor that legacy while creating meaningful opportunities for our students.”

Grayson College’s viticulture, enology and distillation programs continue to offer unique learning experiences rooted in the region’s rich agricultural history, helping students build skills for careers in growing and producing specialty products.