Nevada wine

Nevada
Wine region
Official nameState of Nevada
TypeU.S. state
Year established1864
Years of wine industry1990 to present
CountryUnited States
Sub-regionsNone
Total area110,567 square miles (286,367 km2)
Size of planted vineyardsUnder 40 acres
No. of vineyards8
Grapes producedCabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Cinsault, Frontenac, Gewürztraminer, La Crosse, Merlot, Riesling, Roussillon, Ruby Cabernet, Petite Sirah, Semillon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Zinfandel
No. of wineries4

Nevada wine refers to wine made from grapes grown in the U.S. state of Nevada, where wine has been produced since 1990. There are currently no designated American Viticultural Areas in Nevada.

Nevada has five commercial wineries: Basin and Range Cellars in Reno(opening in June 2018), Nevada Sunset Winery also in Reno,Churchill Vineyards in Fallon, Pahrump Valley Winery in Pahrump and Sanders Family Winery (also located in Pahrump).

Locally high boron content of the soil,[1][2] soil salinity, and hard water provide a few challenges to growing grapes, especially Vitis vinifera. Some environmental elements common to Nevada however are favorable for viticulture; these include the ample sunshine, low humidity (which decreases the risk for rot and mildew and thus the need for fungicides) University of Nevada, Reno professor Dr. Grant Cramer is currently studying the best varietals and techniques[3] at UNR's Valley Road Vineyard. Wine grapes have been grown with success in both the northern and southern part of the state since 1991, and all five wineries have produced wines made from grapes grown in Nevada.[1]

Until recently, state law[4] restricted commercial wineries so that they were illegal in counties with more than 100,000 people (Washoe and Clark Counties). This was due to lobbying by the liquor distributors in the State for fight to control the liquor supply. With the passage of Assembly Bill 4 (AB4)in November 2015 [1] this law was changed. Since then three wineries have filed for licenses and began winemaking in Reno (Basin and Range Cellars, Nevada Sunset Winery and Great Basin Winery. The laws for winemaking in Nevada are still considered to be restrictive when compared to neighboring states that have successful wine industries. Additionally, instructional wine-making facilities (such as the Valley Road Vineyard) may operate in any county but must meet special license requirements and are restricted to selling or distributing no more than 60 gallons of wine in any 12-month period.[5]

  1. ^ a b "Nevada: Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2008. Archived from the original on August 30, 2012.
  2. ^ "Towards wine grape (Vitis vinifera) vineyard establishment in Northern Nevada: varietal studies in the dry desert climate". University of Nevada, Reno. 2005.
  3. ^ "Produce Great Nevada Wines". Nevada Grape Growers & Winemakers.
  4. ^ "TITLE 52 - TRADE REGULATIONS AND PRACTICES" (NRS 597.240). Nevada Revised Statutes. Nevada State Legislature.
  5. ^ "TITLE 52 - TRADE REGULATIONS AND PRACTICES" (NRS 597.245). Nevada Revised Statutes. Nevada State Legislature.