Maryland has a long and fascinating wine history, including some true pioneers who catalyzed winegrowing well beyond that state’s border. The first recorded winemaking was in 1648, and in 1662 Governor Charles Calvert planted European grapes. The modern era began in 1933 when Baltimore Sun journalist Philip Wagner published the book, “American Wines and How … Read more

On Wednesday, WineAmerica held its second Zoom listening session on Nutritional Information and Ingredient labeling, with superb presentations from Bennett Caplan of FIVS and Dale Stratton of the Wine Market Council. There were more than 80 virtual registrants, and more than 100 others who tried to register but were refused because they are not members … Read more

Iowa has a long winegrowing history, with the first grapes planted in 1857, a Grape Growers Association formed in 1893, and a rank of sixth in wine production in 1919 just prior to Prohibition. The first modern-era winery—award-winning fruit winery Ackerman—opened in 1956 featuring Rhubarb wine plus other fruit and Native American grape wines. But the … Read more

Wine & Shellfish! This week we got to participate in a tasteful form of lobbying: a Wine & Shellfish Reception for legislators and staff. Along with our colleagues at the Wine Institute who provided California wines, we provided wines from other states including: Black Ankle Vineyards, MD Early Mountain Vineyard, VA Jones Family Farms, CT … Read more

Indiana has a surprisingly exciting and robust wine industry, thanks to some pioneers, visionaries, collaborators, and ever-increasing quality. As in many states, Indiana’s winegrowing history dates back to the 18th Century, was the nation’s tenth largest by the mid-19th Century, then was wiped out by Prohibition. Decades later, as the industry slowly rebounded and showed … Read more