The Growth of Vineyards in Idaho

 The growth of the wine industry in Idaho has been so vibrant in terms of its economic contribution to Idaho’s economy that it has been officially recognized by Governor Butch Otter who issued a special proclamation naming June as “Idaho Wine Month.” Let’s lift a glass to that.

 There are now almost 40 wineries in Idaho; seven new operations have been established in just the last six months.  Spokesman Roger Batt gives the official definition of a wine producer. “The definition of producer is someone who has actually 4 or more acres of grapes or produces 500 cases or more of wine.”   The state’s wine industry is enjoying a 17 percent growth rate and now ranks 22 in the country for wine production.

 The Idaho wine industry had a $73 million dollar impact on the state of Idaho in 2008 and employs more than 600 people, a figure projected to grow to more than $100 million and more than 900 jobs by 2015. This industry is one of the most rapidly expanding agricultural industries in Idaho.??           

 “If you break down the seed industry in the State of Idaho it’s 250 million and if you break down to a smaller commodity like mint, mint is about 30 million dollars, so wine is right in the middle. We’re hoping we can be as big as Washington and possibly California.”