Iowa has more to offer than visiting politicians, straw polls, soy beans, pork, eggs and corn. Iowa wine production has been off to a slower start than most of its Midwestern neighboring states, but Iowan people have now shifted into high gear to try and catch up. In the 1950s, I grew up in Minnesota as a youngster and often visited Iowa, where having corn “knee high by the fourth of July” was the primary agricultural goal. However, a new goal of improving Iowa wine production is now becoming more evident.
In 1999, the state had a grand total of 2 licensed wineries, but now can boast that there are more than 85. In the twelve years since 1999, Iowa can boast about what many call an “explosive expansion” in wine related industries. The first commercial vineyard planted in the state was in 1857. When Prohibition became a reality in the United States and following many unplanned events in the late 1800s, the Iowa grape growing industry pretty much disappeared until its recent growth spurt. Iowa was recently ranked 14th nationally in the number of wineries and 22nd in production.
Iowa wineries are in what I would call a time of trial and error when it comes to grape growing. Many times new vineyards are initially planted with several grape varieties just to see which ones will grow and which will not. Some of the grape types currently cultivated are: Bluebell, Catawba, Chardonel, Concord, La Crosse, Niagara, Steuben and Vidal Blanc. Several other varieties are also grown, but most commercial wine growing focuses on French hybrids and grapes native to America. Agricultural Extension Services at Iowa and Minnesota Colleges continue to provide expert advice to current and potential grape growers to improve the odds of success.
There are no recognized official wine growing regions in Iowa. The three primary grape growing areas that I recognize are located near the cities of Dubuque (Dubuque and Jackson Counties), Des Moines-Ames (Story, Polk, Dallas, Madison, Warren, Boone, Jasper and Marion Counties) and Council Bluffs (Fremont, Mills and Pottawattamie Counties). Other counties that have notable grape growing operations are Carroll, Jefferson and Van Buren Counties. Many of these operations are small family run collaborations where grapes are often harvested by hand. Total Iowan area in grape production is about 1200 acres spread out on over 400 vineyards.
While the Iowa grape industry is considered in its infancy, a 2007 economic study showed it did account for an economic impact to the state of $235 million dollars with over 10 percent of that total attributed to tourism. Wine touring trails are starting to develop that will further enhance the tourism aspect of this industry. Many wineries make addition income by renting their tasting rooms for use in parties or wedding receptions.
If you are ever in Iowa, take the time to visit some of these family wineries and vineyards. You may be surprised to find a wine you will really like, but I do know you will meet some wonderful, hardworking people in the process. Remember, buy the wine you like, store and serve it at its optimal temperature and enjoy it completely.
Author: Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Idealwinecoolers.com




