Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/789891
March 2017 WINES&VINES 65 WINE EAST WINE INDUSTRY NEWS C hatham, Va.—The number of wineries in Virginia has more than doubled from 119 a decade ago to 269 today, according to Wines Vines Analyt- ics and the Virginia Farm Bureau. The new wineries have created increased demand for locally grown grapes, but the number of new vineyards hasn't kept up. In January 2016, the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission took a major step to- ward solving at least some of this problem. The Commission an- nounced a grant of $811,526 for an agribusiness project, the South- ern Virginia Vineyard Develop- ment and Expansion Program, to encourage new and expanded wine grape acreage in Southside Virginia. All applicants must re- side in the Southside area of the Tobacco Region. Ashley Nauta, vineyards proj- ect coordinator and district exten- sion agent for Pittsylvania County, told Wines & Vines that applica- tions for existing vineyard expan- sion opened last fall, while a new grower program was launched during the first week of January. She also explained that $300,000 of the grant is targeted to existing vineyards, and $400,000 will go to new vineyard projects. Under the program, new grow- ers must plant at least 5 acres of grapes to qualify for funding. Fi- nancial reimbursement for ap- proved new grower applicants will be at 33% of qualifying expendi- tures for grapevines, trellising, ir- rigation systems and deer fencing, not to exceed $3,000 per acre and limited to a maximum of $15,000 for 1 to 9 acres. For more than 9 acres, financial reimbursement will be 33% on the acreage above 9 acres and will not exceed $3,000 for each of those additional acres, to a maximum of $20,000 cost- share. Owners of the new vine- yards must install the vineyard and then establish and maintain the productive capability of the vine- yard for at least five years. Existing vineyards must have at least 3 acres of grapevines produc- ing grapes for use by a Virginia farm winery in order to be eligible for the cost-share of $3,000 per acre. Growers with producing vine- yards may add an acre or more, up to $15,000 per grower. The cost- share funding up to $20,000 is available to existing growers if they add 10 acres or more. In addition to the vineyard ex- pansion programs, the Southside Virginia Vineyard Development and Expansion Program has two other components, Education and On-farm Research and Develop- ment. Educational sessions about viticulture and vineyard establish- ment will be conducted by the Virginia Cooperative Extension in conjunction with the Virginia Vineyards Association. The On- farm Research and Development aspect of the program will be run by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research based in Danville, Va. —Linda Jones McKee Tobacco Money Funds Virginia Vineyard Expansions Create a classic with our new 8 color UV custom glass printing technology. With the best bottle and closure brands on the market, our printed glass experts will work with you to launch your next best seller. Contact Waterloo Container today. Go ahead… judge a book by its cover. Toll Free: 888-539-3922 | waterloocontainer.com Rootstock is planted at Rosemont Vineyards in Mecklenburg County, Va., one of 20 Virginia counties where growers are eligible to apply for planting grants.