(KBTX) - Chemical damage is what a local grape farmer says is destroying his crops. Now, he fears a new herbicide could wipe out part of the wine-growing industry in Texas.

Paul Bonarrigo is the chairman of the board and founder of the Messina Hof winery and resort. Over the last two years, he says a dangerous chemical used to protect cotton is being over sprayed on his crops. He says it's costing him thousands, and ultimately, he believes the livelihood of his wine-growing business.

"Once the herbicide hit, it causes the plant to try and survive, so it aborts the fruit," said Bonarrigo.

Bonarrigo believes the reason his grapevines are suffering in the Texas high plains is because a nearby cotton farmer may have used a chemical known as Dicamba, or 2, 4–D, that's drifted to his grape farm.

“Someone sprayed a mile-and-a-half away and its affecting the vineyard again, and this is what I believe were going to see all over the high plains this year," Bonarrigo said.

Bonarrigo's vineyard supplies the grapes that make wine at Messina Hof, but he says recent chemical damage is affecting the bottom line.