Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission News
Idaho's Snake River Designated as America's Next Great Wine Region
BOISE, Idaho, March 12 PRNewswire — Idaho's Snake River Valley has been designated as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) by the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), an important distinction that brands the southern portion of the state as America's next great wine region.
The Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission received word last Friday that approval of its application for an AVA designation has been published and that the Snake River Valley is now officially recognized as a unique grape growing region capable of producing excellent wines.
"A combination of the area's microclimates, soil, and other growing conditions make the valley a premium grape producing area," said Ron Bitner, acting director for the commission. "Those of us who produce wine here have known that for some time. Others are just now finding out."
Bitner said the AVA designation elevates the status of Idaho wines among consumers. Carl Wilgus, administrator of Idaho's Division of Tourism Development, says it also could impact tourism.
"Wine is one of the remarkable things to discover in Idaho. Hopefully, more people will now become aware of the quality and diversity of our wines, and the number of visits to Idaho tasting rooms and vineyards will increase."
To vintners, the AVA designation promises production of fruit with unique characteristics and flavor — perfect for creating fine wine.
"This designation will help not only the wine industry but all of Idaho agriculture to further differentiate our superior wine and food products," said Celia Gould, Director, Idaho State Department of Agriculture.
As of April 9, Idaho's Snake River Valley will take its place among 236 AVAs in the US, a third of which are in California. AVAs can encompass a large boundary covering hundreds of square miles or a land mass of just a few acres. The Snake River Valley is relatively large. At 21,400 square kilometers (8,263 square miles or 5.27 million acres), it is larger than Connecticut and Delaware combined and is just shy of being as large as New Jersey. The area extends along the Snake River, east to west, from the Twin Falls area into Oregon. The area's geologic history, elevations and surrounding mountains, cold continental climate and complexities of its boundary lines are listed among its unique viticultural characteristics. Air currents created by the Snake River are noted for helping to temper Idaho's extreme winter temperatures and summer heat.
See Snake River Valley for a map of the area or to find out more about Idaho's first AVA. For details about the AVA, please see www.idahowines.org.
SOURCE Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission
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