Contacts:
Kelly Loftus, Agency of Agriculture, (802) 828-3829

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Montpelier, Vt. -- During the most recent legislative session, a bill was passed directing the Agency of Agriculture to establish a Grape and Wine Council (H.522, Sec. 19) in response to the growing industry of grape and wine production in the state.

The Vermont Grape and Wine Council will include grape growers, wine producers, and representatives from UVM Extension, the agencies of agriculture, economic development, tourism and marketing and the hospitality council of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of this council is to provide long-term support to the emerging grape and wine industries in the state.

“This collaborative effort will be an important first step in fostering the development of partnerships between those who have a vested interest in this emerging industry,” said Steve Justis, Senior Agricultural Development Specialist for the Vermont Agency of Agriculture.

“The wine industry in Vermont is a great example of the continuing evolution and diversification of Vermont’s agricultural heritage and landscape,” said Roger Allbee, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture.

The most recent phase of Vermont’s wine industry began in 1985 with the licensing of North River Winery, the first commercial winery in the state for nearly 100 years. Apples still account for most of the volume of wine produced in Vermont, but with the development of new hardy grape varieties and a warming climate, the percent of grape wines produced in the state will increase. Currently, Vermont has 14 wineries and seven of those make grape wines. Apples, pears, blueberries, maple and honey are among the local ingredients of other types of wine produced in the state.

The first meeting of the Grape and Wine Council is scheduled for Wednesday, July 11 at 10 a.m. at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, 116 State Street, Montpelier, VT. Grape growers are urged to attend so that representatives can be chosen to participate in future council meetings.