Wine is produced and consumed in all 50 states, and this weekly e-newsletter will highlight the economic impact in each case, starting with Alabama.
Alabama Economic Impact
Total Impact: $1.5 Billion
Direct (production, distribution, consumption): $503 Million (33%)
Supplier (goods and services): $494 Million (32%)
Induced (local community business benefits): $531 Million (35%)
Wine Producers: 20
Jobs: 11,566
Wages: $443.8 Million
Tourist Visits: 11,318
Tourist Expenditures: $3.8 Million
Total Taxes: $73.8 Million
Federal Taxes: $46.9 Million
State and Local Taxes: $26.9 Million
Remember: The total impact in each state combines the Direct, Supplier, and Induced levels reaching from vineyards to local communities, so even a small wine-producing state can benefit greatly from our industry’s presence.
Alabama Profile
All wineries are part of the Alabama Wine Trail, with most located near Birmingham in the central part of the state. The primary types of grapes used are Muscadine and Norton, plus some hybrids and fruit wines.
WineAmerica Member: Wills Creek Vineyards & Winery
John and Janie Cooper planted vineyards in 1996 and opened the winery in 2001, with John hailing from the Rhone Valley in Switzerland and Janie bringing a farming background into the business. Part of the six-member North Alabama Wine Trail, the winery is in the community of Duck Springs, with a duck pond and nature preserve, in the Big Wills Valley of the Appalachian foothills. Dining on the deck or patio, plus educational activities like cellar tours and wine-making classes, make the 2,000-case a popular destination. www.willscreekwinery.com.
Great Grapes: Muscadine
Alabama has a challenging (hot and humid) climate for many species of grapes, but it’s ideal for Muscadine, technically known as “Muscadinia rotundifolia”, with Scuppernong as the most common variety.
The thick-skinned grapes don’t grow in bunches, but individually, to ward off humidity-driven fungus, making them rich in polyphenols and high in fiber. In addition to being popular as fresh fruit, they are used for juice, jellies and wine, which is typically very floral in aroma and sweet in taste. As with all types of wine, it can be delightful if well balanced, as I have discovered in various wine competitions.
