Illinois Wine Census Starts When 2012 Ball Drops
by
Mark Ganchiff
·
December 30, 2011
The Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association (IGGVA) has won a USDA grant to conduct a census of the state’s vineyards and wineries according to Megan Pressnall, the IGGVA’s Director of External Relations. The last similar survey was conducted in 2007. During January, 500 questionnaires will be mailed by the IGGVA and the Illinois Field Office of the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service to all known wineries and grape growers in Illinois. The survey is expected to be completed during May, said Pressnall. Results of the survey will then be used to do an economic impact study on the Illinois wine industry which should be completed in 2012. In 1997, there were just 12 wineries in Illinois. Pressnall said that the number of Illinois wineries has grown to over 90 during 2011 with at least five new wineries opening this year.
Tags: Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Associationillinois wine industryIllinois Wine Survey 2012Megan Pressnal
Mark Ganchiff
Mark Ganchiff is the publisher of Midwest Wine Press, the leading source of news on the growing wine industry in the central United States. Mark has been a wine judge at the 2012 and 2014 INDY International Wine Competition, the 2014 Cold Climate Wine Competition, the 2013 Mid-American Wine Competition, the 2012 Illinois State Fair Wine Competition and the 2013 Michigan Wine Competition. He also enjoys speaking at wine events including the Cold Climate Wine Conference, the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association Annual Meeting, the Midwest Grape and Wine Conference and the Wisconsin Fruit and Vegetable Conference. Mark's articles about regional wine have appeared in Vineyard & Winery Management, WineMaker and several regional magazines.
Mark is a Level One Sommelier in the Court of Master Sommeliers. He lives in Louisville, but also has a residence in Chicago.
You may also like...
