Pennsylvania Emerges as 4th Largest Wine Producer Nationally: State-Funded Study Reveals

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture says a new study found that Pennsylvania’s Wine and Grape industry now ranks fourth in the nation in production.

Previously, in 2018, Pennsylvania was ranked fifth in the study.

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The study, funded by the department’s Wine and Research Program, included data on wine and juice grape vineyards, juice processors, wine wholesale and retail sales, research and education, wineries, and wine tourism.

Specifically, this study found that our wine and grape industry supports 10,756 jobs across the state and contributes $1.77 billion to the state economy annually. Furthermore, since 2018, Pennsylvania’s grape production has grown by about 970 tons per year.

Harrisburg International Airport losing an airline

It is also worth mentioning that the study saw that Pennsylvania’s 326 wineries generate $747 million in tourism revenue every year.

“Pennsylvania’s wine and grape industry is a tremendous asset to our economy and undeniably adds to quality of life in every region of the state,” Secretary Redding said. “The thriving industry brings visitors to our countryside and small towns, provides nutritious juice for our youngest consumers, and wines that pair with locally-grown foods on restaurant and family tables. The Shapiro Administration is proud to invest in the industry’s future and the future of families and communities who depend on it.”

According to PDA, Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2024-25 budget invests over $36 million into the wine and grape industry, which includes:

$10.3 million will be utilized for agricultural innovation, which aims to both support and attract new businesses related to agriculture. This includes initiatives on energy and conservation. Moreover, this fund will also be instrumental in consistently sustaining American agricultural growth in the state of Pennsylvania.

An amount of $145,000 will be allocated to an innovative pest detection program. This program will employ dogs to efficiently prevent pest incursions without resorting to expensive and potentially hazardous pesticides.

$2.18 million will be allocated to Agriculture Research to aid the sector in embracing evolving technologies, thereby efficiently overcoming challenges like diseases, pestilences, and climate change;

A significant portion of $8 million is earmarked for the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program. This program is intended to resource measures aimed at protecting our invaluable soil and water resources, essential for the sustainability of agriculture in the future.

$2.9 million for trademark licensing for PA Preferred®, which is Pennsylvania’s official brand for locally-grown agricultural products. This money will also be used to increase consumer confidence in the quality and integrity of organic foods.

$13 million to fund the historic PA Farm Bill, which will feed progress across Pennsylvania’s $132 billion agriculture industry through the use of grants and initiatives that will build the future workforce, promote sales of PA-grown and made products, expand market opportunities, conserve resources and more.

To find out more about Pennsylvania’s wine trails, and events in your region, you can click here.

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About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!