12/02/05 Idaho wine industry growth, part two

Ron Bitner is headed to Mexico this weekend. The Chairman of the Idaho Wine Commission, Bitner is trying to see if there's any interest in Mexico for wines produced by 25 different Idaho wineries. He'll be part of the governor's trade mission. BITNER "As some of the wineries expand we see Mexico as probably a good market down there." Today, Bitner says, the smaller Idaho wineries do most of their business within the state. BITNER "State liquor stores started carrying two labels from every winery in their stores about two years ago. That really helped the smaller guys. A lot of time when you're under five thousand cases you can't get a distributor because you don't have enough wine to go out to every store." To aid economic development he'd like to see Canyon County become a destination spot for wine lovers as they travel the country. The Wine Commission is moving its offices to Caldwell after the first of the year and more signs will go up touting the vineyards, tasting rooms and restaurants. BITNER "We have submitted for our first appellation of the Snake River Valley appellation. What that is is a nation designation that your area is unique and the vineyards have to come within that area to be put on the label." Idaho is approaching 250 thousand cases of wine annually. Bitner says its taken 25 years but the Idaho wine industry is coming of age. Today's Idaho Ag News.