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OCT OBER NEWS Idaho Wine Industry Readies for Growth State's second AVA is on the horizon Ron Bitner began planting grapevines on his property in Idaho in 1981. C aldwell, Idaho—Like many grapegrowers across the Northwest, Ron Bitner is grateful for a normal growing season after two years of difficult weather and late har- vests. Bitner says the grapes appear to be about a week or 10 days ahead of schedule. Idaho has been attracting increasing interest from growers. There are now approximately 1,600 acres of vines planted in the state, and a three-year mapping project led by Greg Jones of Southern Oregon University concluded this spring that upward of 74,100 acres in the Snake River Valley American Viticul- tural Area (AVA) are suitable for winegrape production. It's still a fraction of the 5.1 million acres (or 8,000 square miles) encompassed by the AVA, which includes areas of southwestern Idaho and eastern Oregon. It was the winemaker at neighboring Ste. Chapelle Winery who alerted Bitner to the opportunities of his site, which he original- ly purchased for sentimental rather than viticultural reasons. "I bought it for the view and because my cousins grew up in this val- winesandvines.com Learn more: Search keywords "Idaho growth." Cherokee_Nov05.qxt 9/19/05 10:52 AM Page 1 ley, but as it turned out I wouldn't trade this spot for anywhere in the country," he said. Bitner planted his vines in 1981. Plans for a second AVA in the state as early as next year also promise to boost plantings and wine production, said Moya Shatz Dolsby, the executive director of the Idaho Wine Commission. Proponents submitted a petition for the Lewis Clark Valley AVA in June 2011. The proposed AVA surrounds the cities of Lewiston and Clarkston and is home to about 20 vineyards and five win- eries. It also neighbors Washington state, and federal regulators returned the petition for revision this spring with a request that petitioners address an overlap with the Columbia Valley AVA. In the meantime, the industry is focusing on implementing a 10-year strategic plan, drafted in 2009 with the help of Steve Burns, former executive director of the Washington Wine Com- mission, and updated annually. The plan's goals include under- taking an economic impact study, developing a marketing and promotions strategy and focusing on growing local support for Idaho wineries. —Peter Mitham hauling precious cargo • 24 hour dispatch • Competitive rates • Personalized Service • Radio/Cell phone equipped • State-of-the-art equipment • Maximum payload capacity • Over 30 years in operation • References available • Fleet of over 200 trucks including Wine Tanks and Dry Freight Vans CHEROKEE FREIGHT LINES 5463 Cherokee Road • Stockton, CA 95215 Telephone: 209.931.3570 • or visit our website:www.gocfl.com 16 WINES & VINES OCTOBER 2012 RON BITNER