Ed Auler helped grow Texas Hill Country wine industry
Ed Auler and wife Susan spent over 40 years growing Fall Creek Vineyards and the Texas Hill Country wine industry. Ed passed away on Oct. 14, 2023, at 78 years old. Photo courtesy of Fall Creek Vineyards
Ed Auler, a Texas wine industry pioneer and owner of Fall Creek Vineyards in Tow, passed away on Oct. 14, 2023, at the age of 78. Over 40 years, he not only built up his own vineyards, he also helped turn the Texas Hill Country into a formidable wine region.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, friend, owner, and founder of Fall Creek Vineyards, Ed Auler,” wrote Auler’s wife, Susan, on the Fall Creek website. “His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment have been the cornerstone of our company’s success.”
Fall Creek locations in Tow and Driftwood will be closed on Tuesday, Oct. 24, so staff can attend Auler’s memorial service. They will reopen for regular hours on Oct. 25.
Auler was a Texas native, born in Austin in 1945. He and his wife delved into viticulture in the 1970s after a trip to France inspired them to grow grapes on family land. The couple purchased 400 acres on the western shores of Lake Buchanan and officially established Fall Creek Vineyards in 1979.
The Aulers spent the 1980s further growing their vineyard and the Texas wine scene. In 1986, they started the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival, and by 1990, Auler had Hill Country declared an official American Viticulture Area, solidifying it as a distinct wine-producing region in the nation.
Today, the Texas Hill Country has over 100 unique wineries, and they collectively create one of the largest tourism industries in the region.
“We take solace in knowing that all Fall Creek Vineyards’ team members share his passion and enthusiasm, and we are dedicated to continuing the legacy he imprinted on all of us,” Susan Auler continued in her statement. “We also know that he is in the hands of our good Lord. Together, we will honor his memory by carrying forward his vision with the same dedication and spirit that has defined our company.”