US: Iowa wine industry has exploded since 2000

(KWWL) -Iowa's wine industry has exploded since 2000, experts say, and grape growing conditions are now just weeks away. In fact, while many farmers dread the possibility of another year of drought, grape growers say too much moisture can cause disease in their crop. All throughout eastern Iowa, wineries are benefiting from a growing enthusiasm for Midwest wines. Iowa State University Extension viticulture specialist Mike White said statistics back that up. In the year 2000, he said, Iowa had just five vineyards covering a total of some 15 acres. Today, he said, that number has ballooned to 310 vineyards covering more than 1,200 acres.

Iowa has approximately 100 wineries, placing it in the top 20 US states for number of wineries. White said Iowa's wine industry is maturing, both in the quality and taste of the wine and in its market share. In 2012, he said, 5.6 percent of all the wine sold in Iowa was made in the Hawkeye State. John Burns is the owner and winemaker of Barrel Head Winery, which he operates with his wife on their Dubuque County property. Theirs is an estate winery, meaning all the wine Burns makes comes from the grapes he grows himself on his own land. Given that, he said, he sees customers with a special interest in area wines.