Wine Grapes are a Low Water-Use High-Value Crop in High Demand
For a typical vineyard in Colorado, it takes three years to start producing grapes. In the 4th year a vineyard produces enough grapes to become profitable. In the 6th year, establishment costs will be paid off (not including equipment and land costs). Thereafter, a grower averages a net return of $5,134 per acre per year at 1999 prices. A typical vineyard will last at least 20 years and may last 60 years if it is well maintained.
Our Vision for the State of Nevada
We anticipate that research conducted by the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources at the University of Nevada, Reno will lead to a successful wine industry within the State of Nevada. The wine industry in the USA and the world is growing very rapidly. In 1998, the California wine industry generated $12.6 billion in retail sales in the United States and had a $33 billion economic impact on the state. In less than 40 years, Washington State has created a wine industry that produces $250 million in wine retail sales per year. By the year 2000, Washington had over 20,000 acres of vineyards and the number of wineries has increased from 19 to 145 in 20 years. Colorado has some of the highest vineyards in the world, ranging between 4000 and 6,400 ft above sea level. In 2000, Colorado had 80 vineyards (the first one was established in 1968) producing 563 tons of grapes on 400 acres with a wine retail value of over 4 million dollars. In the last 10 years, Colorado wineries have multiplied from 5 to 24. It is notable that vineyards in both Washington State and Colorado have climates similar to Northern Nevada.
Why Aren't Wine Grapes a Sure Thing?
There is a lot of variation in the way wine grape varieties respond to different climatic and soil conditions. The French have spent several centuries determining which particular varieties do best in a specific appellation. Therefore, varietal trials are needed at each particular region to accurately assess their potential.
The biggest dangers to vines in Northern Nevada are very low winter temperatures (below minus 10°F), fluctuating temperatures (false springs) which could cause premature spring growth, and alkaline or saline soils. V. vinifera grapes are adapted to Mediterranean-type climates. This species can be substantially damaged in the colder regions of the world. Native North American species of Vitis are more cold tolerant in these colder regions. Therefore, the genetic potential is there to improve cold tolerance. We have a very active research programt to improve the cold tolerance of V. vinifera varieties.