Indiana's burgeoning wine industry - a snapshot
- Indiana may not known for its wine, but grape production is among the fastest growing agriculture industries in the state.
- Indiana Wine sales have steadily increased by 15% each year to create an industry that produces in excess of one million gallons of wine, and contributes more than $72 milllion to the state’s economy, according to the Purdue Wine Grape Team, which helps to support Indiana’s wineries and vineyards.
- The state currently has 92 wineries, up from 34 in 2007.
- Grape varietals have to be tough enough to withstand Midwestern winters, which is why many of them are hybrids. Traminette is Indiana's signature white grape, and flourishes in all parts of the state. It is comparable to its parent grape, Gewurtztraminer.
- Vignoles is another widely grown white grape varietal and is a hybrid well adapted to growing in the state.
- Chambourcin is regarded as the state’s best red variety, while Noiret is a relative newcomer to Indiana’s wine scene.
- Prohibition severely damaged the Indiana wine industry, but today it is steadily climbing back and is now among the top 20 producing states.