The 'Doc' McPherson Award
Doc McPherson
Few people have the capacity to imagine something that doesn’t yet exist. Dr. Clinton ‘Doc’ McPherson was one of those rare dreamers, a man who looked at the hot, dry flatlands of the Texas plains and pictured a garden; and later, a vineyard!
In the late ‘60s, he began planting experimental grapes in Lubbock, testing different varieties for their ability to yield quality fruit in a new environment. The Sangiovese he planted in his Sagmor Vineyard was the first planted in Texas. His industry leadership included Doc played a pivotal role in the founding of the Texas High Plains AVA. All of Doc's work paved the way for the next generation of Texas winemakers.
Doc is, and will always be, recognized as one of the founding fathers of modern Texas wine.
The Doc McPherson Award
The 'Doc' MPherson Award is awarded annually by the SAGMOR FOUNDATION on behalf of its board and The McPherson Family. This very special award is presented, "In Recognition of Outstanding and Continuous Work in, and Support of The Texas Wine Industry."
The 2024 'Doc' McPherson Award Winner
JUST ANNOUNCED: The 2024 Recipient of The Doc McPherson Award is...
DAN SCHUETTE, Director of Wine and Beer, HEB Grocery Company, LP
A 28-year company veteran who’s worked in various departments and roles within the wine category, Dan Schuette currently serves as director of H-E-B’s wine and beer department - 337 stores and growing!
H-E-B has been the state’s largest retailer of wine in sales and volume for many years. HEB has a strong commitment to Texas products, which includes Texas wines. As director of beer and wine, Dan continues to support and feature Texas wines throughout the HEB system. And while the product mix varies by store, Dan oversees up to 80 Texas wineries on HEB shelves.
"Dan Schuette and HEB have provided access, and perhaps more importantly, a showcase for Texas wines for many years - his support and leadership is more than deserving of this recognition; on behalf of Sagmor Foundation, its board and The McPherson Family, I am so very proud to present 'The 2024 Doc McPherson Award' to Dan," stated Kim McPherson, winemaker and owner of McPherson Cellars, and chair of Sagmor Foundation.
The 2024 Doc McPherson Award was presented on Friday, November 08, 2024 at a 'surprise' event held at HEB coroprate offices in San Antonio, Texas.
PHOTO: Dan Schuette (l) & Kim McPherson (r); Dan is holding his award in front of the Historic Vine from Sagmor Vineyard
Previous Awardees
For several years, the 'Doc' McPherson Award was presented in Lubbock at a local event. That event and the award were put on hiatus due to the pandemic in 2020. This has given all involved an opportunity to reimagine the award and further its objectives: Bringing Recognition to the Texas Wine Industry; the On-Going Development and Education within the Industry, and Giving Recognition to those Individuals Who are Contributing to these Important Areas within the Industy.
Previous Winners: Greg Bruni, Bobby Cox, and Jessica Dupuy
The Doc McPherson Award awardee receives:
The annual awardee receives a vine from the last cutting at the State of Texas designated historic Sagmor Vineyard, as well as a bottle of the last vintage of Sangiovese from that cutting. In addition, a SCHOLARSHIP is awarded from Sagmor Foundation in the recipient's honor to a student in the Texas Tech University Viticulture & Enology Program.
SAGMOR FOUNDATION
The Doc McPherson Award is presented annually by SAGMOR FOUNDATION on behalf of its board and the McPherson Family. LEARN MORE ABOUT SAGMOR FOUNDATION HERE.