Grapes were first planted in what is now Arizona in the late 1700’s near Tucson, with the first commercial winery created in the early 1870’s. After Prohibition it took decades before anyone planted grapes (1979), with the first wines produced in 1980. The Arizona Wine Growers Association, still active today with Jennifer Montgomery at the helm, … Read more

Congress is in recess (again), even though a potential government shutdown is fast approaching. While Congress is gone, WineAmerica continues working on other issues for the wine industry, led by Michael Kaiser, Executive Vice President and Director of Government Affairs, who was recently profiled as a Wine Industry Champion by Wine Industry Advisor . The Tax and … Read more

Alaskan wine? Yes. While the climate is certainly not conducive to growing vinifera grapes (which are imported as juice from California), honey and several native fruits suitable for the environment thrive and are transformed into mead and fruit wines. Wineries include Bear Creek Winery and Solitude Springs Farm and Vineyard. Great Grapes: Valiant Maybe this unique red wine … Read more

Congress did a few things this week, though none affecting the wine industry. The Senate passed a bill proposing more funding for Ukraine and Israel, but it’s likely to die in the House. Meanwhile, House Republicans impeached Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas over border issues. On Long Island, the New York seat formerly occupied by expelled … Read more

Alabama has two climates making it challenging to make wine: the natural climate and the political climate. The hot, humid climate limits the grape varieties that can be grown to Scuppernong, Norton, and some French hybrid varieties. The political climate improved somewhat due to agricultural reforms in 2002 that loosened some restrictions on wineries, but … Read more