Wine in Arkansas? You bet! Wine is produced and consumed in all 50 states.
This is part of a WineAmerica-sponsored study conducted by John Dunham & Associates, a leading economic research firm specializing in public policy issues. The study includes detailed national data as well as that for all 50 states plus a Methodology and Frequently Asked Questions section, all available at (WineAmerica2025EconomicStudy)
Today’s Arkansas wine industry took root in the 1870’s when Jacob Post from Germany and Johann Wiederkehr from Switzerland migrated to Altus, which is the state’s first AVA, later joined by the Arkansas Mountain and Ozark Mountain AVAs. The two family wineries have been joined by several others in a region with a humid subtropical climate suitable for Muscadine grapes which Post Winery uses to make its rich, ruby red with a cotton candy-like aroma.
Great Grapes: Chardonnel
This cold-hardy Cornell creation also had trials in Arkansas, and has proven to be a very popular variety in many states. A descendant of Seyval and Chardonnay, Chadonnel is vinified in oaked and unoaked variations, and often shows well in wine competitions.