History & Impact
About Iowa's Grape & Wine Industry - History & Impact
It's no secret that Iowan's know a thing or two about agriculture. In fact, grape-growing is an important part of Iowa agriculture and is nothing new to our state's ag history. Grapes were grown in the state as early as 1857 when a vineyard was planted in the rolling hills of western Iowa near Council Bluffs and a few years later in 1893, the Grape Growers Association was established to help sell the region’s grapes and other produce.
Iowa ranked eleventh in grape production in the United States in 1899. In 1919 just before Prohibition, Iowa was the 6th largest wine producer in the nation.
A resurgence in the industry occurred in 2000, when the Iowa Wine Growers Association was established to represent the wine grape growers and wine makers across the state of Iowa. Today’s industry is vibrant and growing. We are well-positioned to take advantage of growth opportunities and become greater contributors to the agricultural and economic vibrancy of the state of Iowa. If you haven't visited an Iowa winery lately, we encourage you to taste the experience that Iowa wine has to offer! Trust us, getting there is half the fun. Learn more about our history.
Today Iowa currently has right around 100 licensed wineries and nearly 300 vineyards covering 1,300 acres across the state.
Iowa’s wineries and vineyards are locally owned and operated by Iowa families who are good neighbors and contribute to their communities. Iowa wineries vary greatly in their size and capacity. Many are small and located in old rural buildings or barns. A number of owners have erected new buildings or renovated existing structures that are capable of accommodating large events and have room for expansion as their business grows.
On average, the typical Iowa winery produces approximately 3,000 gallons of wine annually.
The Iowa native wine industry also helps to promote and establish additional economic activity in the state, including lodging, food, travel, gifts, agritourism, event centers, festivals, music, art and a host of service industries. The eight official wine trails that crisscross the state bring in visitors to not only the wineries but to the towns and cities along the way. These tourists are eating in restaurants, staying in local hotels and taking locally sourced goods home with them from the little shops and storefronts in these small communities.
Learn more about our industry’s impact on our industry website, www.iowawinegrowers.org.