For the love of wine
Jodi Jurik
Issue date: 9/18/09 Section: Features
In 2000, Iowa had five vineyards and 13 wineries. Nine years later, there are 74 wineries and 400 vineyards totaling over 1000 acres, with more on the way.
Why this surge in Iowa's winery popularity?
Per-capita wine consumption in the US has nearly tripled since 1970. The Baby Boomer generation had lifestyles and tastes different from their parents, setting off a boom in wine consumption that continues today.
Although the consumption rate flattened out in the 1980s due to tougher laws on drinking age and driving while intoxicated, consumption has been steadily increasing since 1994.
The 1970's saw the emergence of California and New York as the leading wine-producing areas in the US, but the increase in demand sparked interest in producing wines in other areas, including Iowa. It would seem that Iowa's wine-producing industry has almost magically appeared in the last decade. In reality, however, it is the result of many hard-working people spending long hours to develop the industry.
Iowa wineries have invested energy and time to increase the popularity of wine. In addition to having traditional tasting rooms, where one can sample several wines produced by the winery, Iowa wineries have become very creative in hosting musical entertainment, picnics and other events.
One popular approach is to get people involved in the process of wine production, which involves growing grapes, harvesting them, mashing them to extract the juice, making wine by fermenting the grape juice, bottling the wine and creatively labeling the bottles.
Many wineries invite people to come help harvest grapes, which is a labor-intensive process but allows people to get some hands-on experience. Sometimes people are even invited to stomp grapes in a large tub, the traditional way of extracting juice.
Matt Nissen, wine maker and owner of Prairie Moon Winery, said, "I think the reason why wineries are becoming popular because people are starting to realize that there is something to do on their free time, and you're able to drink and enjoy art shows and music and learn about the agriculture and about the wines being made."
Iowa wineries produce a wide range of wine types, including traditional white and red wines, but also specialty wines such as dessert wine, fruit wine, blush wine and sparkling wine. Prairie Moon Winery near Ames also produces ice wine, from grapes picked after the first autumn frost has changed the sugar content of the grapes.
Prairie Moon is a family business winery right outside of the north side of Ames that opened three years ago. They own a total of 19 acres of vineyards - 11 acres in Ames and eight in Boone County. This winery does everything from harvesting its own grapes to selling it. They have 15 different grapes and do a lot of blending to make the different wines, focusing on the red and white.
Although Iowa has wineries all over the state, most are located around the central line between Omaha and Dubuque.
Why this surge in Iowa's winery popularity?
Per-capita wine consumption in the US has nearly tripled since 1970. The Baby Boomer generation had lifestyles and tastes different from their parents, setting off a boom in wine consumption that continues today.
Although the consumption rate flattened out in the 1980s due to tougher laws on drinking age and driving while intoxicated, consumption has been steadily increasing since 1994.
The 1970's saw the emergence of California and New York as the leading wine-producing areas in the US, but the increase in demand sparked interest in producing wines in other areas, including Iowa. It would seem that Iowa's wine-producing industry has almost magically appeared in the last decade. In reality, however, it is the result of many hard-working people spending long hours to develop the industry.
Iowa wineries have invested energy and time to increase the popularity of wine. In addition to having traditional tasting rooms, where one can sample several wines produced by the winery, Iowa wineries have become very creative in hosting musical entertainment, picnics and other events.
One popular approach is to get people involved in the process of wine production, which involves growing grapes, harvesting them, mashing them to extract the juice, making wine by fermenting the grape juice, bottling the wine and creatively labeling the bottles.
Many wineries invite people to come help harvest grapes, which is a labor-intensive process but allows people to get some hands-on experience. Sometimes people are even invited to stomp grapes in a large tub, the traditional way of extracting juice.
Matt Nissen, wine maker and owner of Prairie Moon Winery, said, "I think the reason why wineries are becoming popular because people are starting to realize that there is something to do on their free time, and you're able to drink and enjoy art shows and music and learn about the agriculture and about the wines being made."
Iowa wineries produce a wide range of wine types, including traditional white and red wines, but also specialty wines such as dessert wine, fruit wine, blush wine and sparkling wine. Prairie Moon Winery near Ames also produces ice wine, from grapes picked after the first autumn frost has changed the sugar content of the grapes.
Prairie Moon is a family business winery right outside of the north side of Ames that opened three years ago. They own a total of 19 acres of vineyards - 11 acres in Ames and eight in Boone County. This winery does everything from harvesting its own grapes to selling it. They have 15 different grapes and do a lot of blending to make the different wines, focusing on the red and white.
Although Iowa has wineries all over the state, most are located around the central line between Omaha and Dubuque.
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