Georgia Wine Country

State of The Grape - A Year End Review of 2010 Wine Production in Georgia by Doug Paul - Three Sisters Vineyards
The future looks bright for Georgia's 2011 wine production. Our industry has grown to include many more participants over the year. Some are only vineyards. Some are just wineries. And some are a combination of both vineyards and winery. Many new regions are under development to add "wine trails." There are currently over 30 Federally bonded wineries in Georgia and over 50 total businesses recognized in the Georgia Wine Business in 2010. At least four trade associations now represent some (but not all) of the wineries and vineyards in Georgia. They are The Georgia Wine Council (www.GeorgiaWineCouncil.org), The Winegrowers Association of Georgia, (www.GeorgiaWine.com) The Muscadine Growers Association of Georgia, and The Vineyards and Winery Association of Northwest Georgia. Each has a different mission and scope. All are privately funded by membership and some share cross over membership. None are a single State authority or have exclusive representation of the entire Georgia Wine Business. --Product & Place-- You might have heard the term "terroir" tossed around by wine aficionados? The French coined the word to describe "the characteristic taste and flavor imparted to a wine by the environment in which it is produced." Translated, "terroir" means "a sense of place." Our State is blessed with varied and productive growing areas for wine fruit. Historically and currently Georgia has wine properties from Savannah, Statesboro and Albany in the south to Dahlonega, Young Harris and Ringgold in the north and everywhere in between. Georgia Wines are produced from native Muscadines, American, European and Hybrid wine grapes. In addition, Georgia wines are also produced from apples, peaches, blueberries and even honey. Over the past year, Georgia wines have been celebrated from coast to coast and border to border In fact, many Georgia wines were presented this year at official and trade functions in Great Britain, Europe and Asia. --Entertainment, Education and Events-- There is no question that our Georgia wineries and vineyards are major attractions for the State, regions and for local communities. "Wine Tourism" which includes visitation to vineyards, wineries, wine festivals and wine shows whereby wine tasting and experiencing all a wine growing region has to offer is recognized as the prime motivating factors for tourists. In the introduction from Wine Tourism Around the World: Development, Management and Markets, [ by C. Michael Hall, Liz Sharples, Brock Camboume and Niki Macionis and published by Butterworth-Heinemann ] the authors say, "Wine tourism is a significant component of both the wine and tourism industries. Wine and tourism have been intimately connected for many years, but it is only recently that this relationship has come to be explicitly recognized by government, researchers and by the industries themselves. For the tourism industry, wine is an important component of the attractiveness of a destination and can be a major motivating factor for visitors." The Wine Business is a "Green Friendly" business too. Beautiful Georgia vineyards offer a wide variety of entertainment, education and events in a natural environment. Live music and the arts are regularly presented from wine related properties. Educational seminars are conducted for the public and professional alike. Education includes everything from wine appreciation, to viticulture and oenology instruction to university level plant research. Events range from free open houses filled with live music to festivals featuring local art and culinary creations. Private and social events like weddings, anniversary celebrations and corporate meetings bring in business and taxes. Many university text books have been written worldwide about the attributes of wine tourism. --Taxes-- In addition to Property and Occupational Taxes and Fees charged by local-state-federal government, a Georgia Farm Winery pays local-state-federal excise taxes on all wine liters/gallons declared in a vintage year. If a Farm Winery operates retail tasting rooms, it also pays property and occupational taxes plus excise taxes on all tasting samples poured on all wines sold from these tasting rooms. Sales tax is also collected and paid to the state and county on all wines sold by the winery tasting room. --Conclusion and Recommendations-- Georgia Farm Wineries and Vineyards are good agritourism attractions for local and State business development. Hospitality and agriculture jobs are produced by the industry. Hundreds of millions of dollars of economic impact is felt every year in Georgia through taxes collected by not only the wineries and vineyards, but accommodations, food and grocery, services, and retail establishments. In 2008, The UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development and College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences conducted a Wine Industry Survey (CR-09-05 presented in January, 2009) that covered a portion of the industry. (Only 17 of the almost 45 businesses at the time were surveyed) The study concluded "Georgia wineries generate $44.790 million and $16.971 million in output and total value added, respectively, while creating 430 jobs throughout the state’s economy." In 2011, with over 50 businesses identified and on line, our Georgia government is challenged to conduct a new study to realize recent economic impact from the rapid growth of this cottage industry. It is my thought and the thought of many of my colleagues that the State of Georgia and the citizens would benefit from the formation of a state managed "Georgia Wine Commission" charged with the task of promotion, marketing and educational research. To be successful and fair to all concerned, a Georgia Wine Commission must be completely nonpartisan, inclusive and not controlled by private business or any personality in the wine business. It should be state funded through a portion of all alcohol excise taxes collected on behalf of retailers, wholesalers and farm wineries. In Georgia, these taxes are currently collected and paid directly to the Georgia Department of Revenue. All excise taxes collected on alcohol in the state are placed in the "general fund." As with successful neighboring states with wine regions, an annual budget should be established by the General Assembly to support an impartial Executive Director to manage promotion, marketing and oversee research grants. So, here are a few classic words...a toast to Georgia and well wishes to all who taste the fruit of our Great State..."Here's to friendship, the wine of life, let's drink of it and to it. Pour deep the rosy wine and drink a toast with me; Here's to three: wine, thee and camaraderie!" -------------- Editors Note: This Commentary Article was reposted and reprinted with permission from Doug Paul and www.ThreeSistersVineyards.com Three Sisters Vineyards Website