Welcome
BLANC DU BOIS Grapes & Wine: A Guide Based on Research and Experiences
Join the journey of discovery: Blanc Du Bois from its birth in Florida to its rebirth on the Texas Post Oak Savannah.
Blanc Du Bois.com: Mission, Authors, Book, Status
Mission
BlancDuBois.com is a dedicated platform for the upcoming book, Blanc Du Bois: The White Grape of Texas. The book is authored by Fran Pontasch, Russell Kane, and Justin Scheiner. This book is currently under review for publication by Texas A&M University Press in 2026. Our mission as authors is to elevate awareness of the Blanc Du Bois grape and to enhance understanding of wine grape cultivation and the viticultural practices that contribute to its popularity among Texas wine enthusiasts. The Blanc Du Bois grape has emerged as the leading white wine grape in Texas, and its esteemed reputation is now reaching a broader audience, thanks to numerous accolades in national and international wine competitions.
The Authors
Fran Pontasch, the principal author of this book and a commercial grower of the Blanc Du Bois grape, is a retired Emerita who served as an advisor to commercial grape growers through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
Justin Scheiner serves as an Associate Professor and Extension Viticulture Specialist at Texas A&M University, where he emphasizes educational programs and provides technical support for wine grape cultivation in the Texas grape and wine industry, ensuring that research translates into practical vineyard applications.
Russell Kane is a technical researcher and writer, a longtime Texas wine blogger at VintageTexas.com, and the author of two books: The Wineslinger Chronicles: Texas on the Vine and Texas Hill Country Wineries, focusing on the rich landscape of Texas wine.
The Book
The authors provide readers with an in-depth exploration of the history, pedigree, and management of the Blanc Du Bois grape, a variety that has risen from its rebirth on the Texas Post Oak Savannah to become the most planted white grape in Texas, and now spreading all along the southeastern states.
By incorporating insights from Blanc Du Bois growers and winemakers, the chapters reveal the genetic background and history that trace back over one thousand years, involving migrations from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Germany, and France.
This journey continued across the Atlantic to Florida, where it was crossed with native American species and rapidly developed into a commercial success by curious Texans.
Through a blend of industry and academic perspectives, growers, winemakers, educators, and wine enthusiasts can gain a richer understanding of the characteristics of this wine grape, its behavior, and the best practices for wine grape cultivation in both the vineyard and winery.
Status
For over the past year, the authors have been working diligently on their manuscript, which focuses on the Blanc Du Bois grape. This work captures, collates, and explains vital information on Blanc Du Bois from published sources, personal research, and field studies conducted by the authors. It also delves into the background and genetic pedigree of this unique variety, alongside extensive interviews with Blanc Du Bois growers and winemakers, highlighting its significance in Texas wine and wine grape cultivation.
This technical and literary work was submitted to Texas A&M University Press for publication. It has been peer reviewed and suggestions incorporated. Presently, the second draft is going to the copy editor for the next review. See blog for more details.