The U.S. Mountain Wine Industry   

       
Currently, the number of vineyards grown at mountain elevations in the U.S. is relatively small. But, as more land is taken for commercial development and the consequences of global warming are forcing growers to think about moving future vineyards to cooler elevations, this mountain segment of the U.S. market will grow significantly. Globally it is already a significant wine market niche. In Europe alone there are over 275,000 acres dedicated to mountain and steep slope wines with more than 200,000 vineyards, wineries and related businesses tied to the mountain wine industry. But the challenges are many. Vineyards grown on steeper slopes and at higher elevations often face significantly higher production costs than standard vineyards. There is a need to consider more cold hardy grape varieties. And mountain winemakers have to deal with some unique wine chemistry issues not faced by their lower elevation counterparts.

Photo: Terraced vineyard in Aosta, Italy