Sweeping Legal Changes Late June is always when the Supreme Court issues its final, and usually most controversial, decisions, and this year was no exception. While the question of presidential immunity may have been the most awaited (and handed down Monday, July 1), the “Chevron” ruling will have far more potential impact on the wine … Read more
Like many states, Iowa produced grapes and wine far earlier than assumed (1857), even created a Grape Growers Association in 1893, and was the 6th largest producer until Prohibition wiped out the entire American wine industry. The modern wine industry has been propelled by creation of the Iowa Wine Growers Association in 2000 to provide education, promotion … Read more
National Grape Improvement Center: The Future is Here On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer visited Geneva, NY to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new, world-class facility: USDA-ARS National Grape Improvement Center (NGIC). Senator Schumer was able to secure $68 million to construct the new scientific facility for future high-impact, cooperative research between the Agricultural Research … Read more
The Hoosier state had grapes and wine in the 18th century, and was the 10th largest producer by the mid 19th century. The Indiana Small Winery Act of 1971 sparked major growth, so now the state has many small wineries and two of the largest in the United States. The state’s location and corresponding climate … Read more
Farm Bill News On May 7-8, WineAmerica hosted its annual DC fly-in when 40+ members had over 90 meetings with their Senators, Representatives, and key committee chairs. On May 9, the long-stalled Farm Bill started moving. Coincidence? Probably, but that doesn’t diminish the power of fly-ins or the importance of the Farm Bill to the … Read more