Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/279499
W i n e s & V i n e s A P R i L 2 0 1 4 77 WineEast WineEastNews Waterloo_Nov10.qxp 8/26/10 11:36 AM Page 1 In the years since Frontenac was released, growers in the 13 cold-climate states have planted approximately 5,400 acres of cold-hardy grapes, including 3,260 acres of cultivars bred at the University of Minnesota. Of the 199 wineries included in the 2012 survey, 80% opened after 2002. Minnesota: 2007 vs. 2011 In 2007, Gartner and Tuck conducted an economic impact study for the Minnesota Grape Growers Association. After compiling the information for the cold-climate study, the researchers took the information relating exclusively to Minnesota and put together a separate impact study for that state. The comparison between the two Minnesota studies reveals how quickly growers and winemakers in that state have embraced the new cold-hardy cultivars from the University of Minnesota. The total economic impact of the grape and wine industries in 2007 was $36.2 million, with vineyards contributing $13.61 million, wineries $8.5 million and winery-related tourism $14.05 million. By 2011 the total economic impact had increased to $59 million, and vineyards were responsible for $16.4 million, wineries $22.1 million, and tourism $20.5 million. In 2007, there were 324 jobs in the grape and wine industries, and by 2011, the number increased to 3,250. The Cold-Climate Conference, 2014 In spite of a blizzard that delivered icy conditions and 12 inches of snow to St. Paul, more than 600 people attended the Cold-Climate Grape and Wine Conference. Terri Savaryn, conference director, told Wine East that the weather didn't deter people from attending the conference Feb. 20-22; many people came in early so they would not miss it. She also related one minor aspect of the conference that graphically illustrated the hardiness of cold-climate grape varieties. Early in February, clippings pruned from cold-hardy vines at -20°F were brought in- side. By the time of the conference, those clippings had budded out and served as the centerpieces at conference events—a visible reminder of the hardiness of cold- climate grapevines. Resources The complete study, "Economic Contribution: Vineyards and Wineries of the North," is available at extension.umn. edu, and the 2007 and 2011 Minnesota Economic Impact Studies are posted under "Resources" at mngrapegrowers.com. —Linda Jones McKee Total Cold-Hardy Red Varieties Planted in Minnesota Petite Pearl 2% St. Croix 4% Leon Millot 1% Sabrevois 4% Marechal Foch 7% Marquette 53% Frontenac 22% Other Red Swenson 7%