AMES, Iowa – The growth of Iowa’s wine industry directly translates to new economic activity for Iowa’s rural economies, according to the results of a survey conducted by the Iowa State University (ISU) Extension Value Added Agriculture Program and the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute.

Winery respondents indicated estimated 2008 wine sales to be more than $22 million. Visitors to Iowa wineries during the past two years have totaled more than 400,000. Those visitors spend additional dollars in areas surrounding wineries, according to Craig Tordsen of the Value Added Agriculture Program at Iowa State University Extension.

“These numbers translate to increased economic activity for rural Iowa,” Tordsen said. “The Midwest Grape and Wine Institute has been instrumental in boosting an industry from infancy to a thriving business in Iowa.”

Iowa boasts 70 licensed wineries, up from just 18 in 2002. Records from the Iowa Alcohol and Beverage Division (IA ABD) for the fiscal year ending June 2007 showed Iowa wine sales of 256,000 gallons.

The Midwest Grape & Wine Industry Institute at Iowa State University was approved by the Iowa Board of Regents in September 2006.  The institute is the first of its kind in Iowa and exists to serve Iowa grape producers and winemakers with research and education outreach.

For more information, please contact the Institute at www.extension.iastate.edu/wine or 515-294-3308 or jagregg@iastate.edu.

-30-