Your wine industry is constantly evolving. Some changes are profound for example when laws, impacting wine, change (most notably throughout distribution); some are more subtle, such as the changes brought on because consumer preferences change; and then there are changes that open new opportunities for regional economic growth. The later on is most notable in state and local regulations. A few years ago a new and wine industry was born in, of most places, Texas. The Texas wine industry is showing successful. Some of these wines are recognized as award-winning wines. Regardless of the mechanism that brings on changes in the wine industry, these types of impacts are far reaching-vendors (from screw caps, containers, corks, chemicals, barrels, etc . ), rootstock nurseries, grind equipment, labor, plant and facilities, distribution, tax profits (employee and product), marketing (advertising, sales, consultants), tourist and manufacturing equipment.

The fact is, every state has a vineyard presence. Obviously, California is the largest with 4, 054 wineries (43% of bonded wineries in the U. S i9000. ) and these wineries generated $15 billion in 2015. As a point of reference, since they were mentioned formerly, Texas today has 228 wineries and represents 2 . 4% of the 9, 436 wineries in the U. S. Presently, there are 4 wineries in Nevada with the majority of their own wine production fruit coming from Lodi, Napa and Sonoma. Two of the wineries are in the Las Vegas area and two in Northern Nevada. There are probably only 2 from the 4 are serious producers. (Probably the largest of the 4 is Frey Estates in Fallon, NV which has a 15 acre vineyard and operates as a winery and distillery without any food services; operating only a tasting room. )

According to Wines & Vines Newsletter, "States growing in the fastest rates include Ohio, up 15% to 181 wineries, Minnesota, up 15% to 62 wineries, as well as Florida, up 22% to 55 wineries. " There is certainly one common thread throughout-the wine industry is growing with areas not recognized as being conducive as a source for fruit. Appears that cold climate grapes have been around for a long time in the U. Nasiums.; just look at the wine industry in New York State, Mn and Michigan. The industry has been slow addressing issues involving varietals compatible with dry, hot, cold and high degree of lift climates. One exception is the Northwest region of the Ough. S. - specifically Washington and Oregon.

In the You. S. there has been over a century of grape research upon varietals that product quality fruit for wine. The most known is Dr . Clark from the University of Arkansas that has 'invented' more than 6 new varietals. He has commented which today there are numerous universities involved in developing hybrid grapes with regard to wine. Most notably is the New York Agricultural Experimental Station (part of Cornell University). They have been involved with grapevine experimentation because 1909.

Dr . Clark says that there has been little analysis on varietals best suited for hot/high and hot/dry along with cold winter climates. The most notable research on these grape growing conditions is from Dr . Matthew Fidelibus through UC-Fresno. His research is really focused on the Central Ca region with elevations of less than 2, 500 foot. The northern Nevada elevations are 4, 000 to five, 000 feet. For comparison purposes, Chile's premier wine beverage growing regions in the Andes are above 5, five hundred feet. Mendoza in Argentina is 2, 600 legs elevation which is still considered high by U. Ings. standards.

But , the question begging for a discussion--is study necessary to expand wine grape farming in Nevada? As stated, New York has committed to wine grape research (Vitis vinifera) at Cornell University, so one must ask the effect of wine industry in New York to justify this particular research. Recognizing that New York is the 4th largest maker of wines in the U. S. it is worth observing the wine industry impact on the New York economy is $4. 8 billion and generates $408 million in condition and local taxes.

But there are other comparisons that mimic Nevasca. It does seem that the terroir that most possibly looks nearly the same as northern Nevada is in Washington State. A wine tumblr in eastern Washington, Mr. Cole Danehower, has made the next observations that are worth including here as it could be a good applicable description and shows the potential for a new wine terroir in Nevada.

On the subject of dry arid land (in Buenos aires State) Mr. Danehower writes the following. "That such property can support grapes, as well as a wide variety of other agriculture, is because of irrigation, a fundamental requirement-and limiting factor-in the state's homemade wine success. "

He goes on to say, "The geology, topography, and climate of the Columbia Basin determine the character connected with Washington's wines. Soils are varied in structure, however share a number of important characteristics. Most commonly, they are well-drained, délicat loess (windblown silts) on top of basalt bedrock, so grape vine roots grow deep in search of moisture and vines often naturally put more energy into fruit ripening compared to vegetative growth. The soils are also generally alkaline around composition, which is thought to enhance fruit intensity, a trait frequently associated with Washington wines. "

"All of the Columbia Area AVA is east of the Cascade Range, whose twelve, 000 ft. plus elevation is a significant rain hurdle. While Seattle on the western side can average 38-in. of annual precipitation, the heart of eastern Washington's bottles country averages between 7 and 12-in. annually, the majority of which falls in winter, outside of the growing season. "

"Since weather is reliably dry, wine growers are rarely susceptible to unpredictable or damaging weather events during the growing time of year, and the use of irrigation allows for extremely precise management with plant growth. An important benefit of the dryness (plus heat) is that it discourages pests and disease; there is little fungi and few bugs badgering the vines. "

"Average winter minimum temperatures in the region of around 20°F to 25°F do not pose significant threats to grapevines, but not almost all winters are average. "

With the proper varietal pampre, irrigation requirements may be acceptable. In California, nut trees and shrubs are being planted in place of grape vines and it has been proven the actual nut trees require far more water than do vine's however the economics are more rewarding for nuts. In Cellisca the alfalfa hey product requires substantially more drinking water and has far less revenue yield per acre than might wine grapes.