TDA
Specialty Crop Program 2002
“Evaluating
Production and Market Opportunities for Tennessee’s Grape
and Wine Industry”
Funding Level = $10,000
Executive
Summary
| Although
state law caps the amount of out-of-state fruit that can be
used to make wine in Tennessee, wineries can request to purchase
more than the cap if they have made good-faith efforts to grow
or purchase from in-state sources or if extenuating circumstances
prevent the availability of in-state supplies. Approximately
46 percent of the fruits used for winemaking in Tennessee are
American variety grapes, 20 percent are of the Muscadine variety,
15 percent are of the French-American hybrid variety, 11 percent
are of the Vinifera variety and 8 percent are other fruit varieties.
In 2001, 11 wineries requested a waiver for 60 out-of-state
purchases of 24 different varieties and in 2002, 12 wineries
requested a waiver for 64 out-of-state purchases of 22 different
varieties. It should be noted that the amount of fruit requested
through the J-6 waivers is in addition to allowed fruit purchases
from out of state under the 50 percent and 25 percent rules.
This study indicates that Tennessee wineries represent a market
for approximately 90 additional acres of annual fruit production
in the state. The estimated market value of this production
is approximately $316,000 annually. |
Indentification
of Need or Opportunity
Statement of Goals
Forward Statement
|
