Locally Grown Grape Wines!

October 2013



Locally Grown Grape Wines!

We all know why “locally grown” foods are our preferred choice. Without question, they are fresher, tastier and more wholesome. We can easily visit the farm, talk with the grower and ask any questions about ‘How’ the crops are produced. Since they are grown in the U.S.A., we know that they are grown to the highest agricultural standards in the world. We know that the grower lives in our community, raises his family here and attends our local church. In every way our local farmer is tied to our community. The dollars that we spend with our local farmer stays in our community and help our community grow and prosper.

So, does this same logic apply to our wines? Does that local Vineyard/Winery deserve our support? The answer is……”Maybe”!

Please consider a few ‘wine facts’. First, most Vineyard/Wineries in America today are simply…”Factories”. They are sourcing most of their inventory in the form of juices & concentrates from off-site sources. Some of these off-site sources are in the U.S.A., but many are not. Sadly, only about 30% of the Vineyard/Wineries in America today are growing all their own fresh grapes and fruits.

Fortunately, it’s easy for us to determine which local Vineyard/Winery to support. By law, every Vineyard/Winery ‘MUST’ tell us on their wine labels “How” their wines are produced. Look for the words…”GROWN, PRODUCED, VINTED & BOTTLED”… on their wine label. Only local Vineyard/Wineries with those words are worth your support and patronage.   

 

If you are lucky enough to have a local Vineyard/Winery in your community that is doing all the right things, please pay them a visit. Just like the local farmer, ask questions, learn about their operations and share this knowledge with all your friends and family. There’s nothing better than….”Locally Grown Grape Wines”!

Until next time…….”Salute and Happy Days”