America

There are over 30,000 wine producers in the United States of America. Wine production in the US is generally divided into 6 regions:

West Coast

California, Oregon and Washington are the principal wine making states in the United States of America and account for majority of wine production in the USA. California alone is responsible for over 90% of American wine production. Wine production began in the 18th Century when Spanish missionaries planted vines to make wine for Mass. Wine production in the USA took a major hit during the prohibition era and over 160 wineries closed during this period. Some were allowed to stay open as producers of sacramental wine for churches and thus were exempt from prohibition.

E & J Gallo Winery is the largest winery in California and one of the most award-winning winery in the world. The family-owned firm has been named the "Bon Appetit Winery of the Year" in the 1996, 1998, and 2001 San Francisco International Wine Competitions.

Rocky Mountain Region

Idaho and Colorado are the major wine producing states in this region. Grapes are grown at high altitudes (1800 feet on average in Idaho and between 4000 and 7000 feet in Colorado) and this has brought about a number of practices peculiar to this region. Open canopies, drip irrigation and aggressive pruning to produce lower yeilds are all common in Idaho. Idaho is known primarily for its Reisling, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Gewürtztramminer white varietals although producers have recently started to produce red wines, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.

Southwestern United States

Texas and New Mexico are the principal wine producing states in this area of the USA. New Mexico has the longest tradition of wine making in the USA. Franciscan monk Friar Garcia de Zuniga and Antonia de Artegia, a Capuchin monk, planted the first grapes in the Rio Grande valley in 1629. The earliest recorded wine production in Texas was in 1650 by Spanish missionaries near El Paso and Texas now has over 100 wineries. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc varieties are the most planted in Texas but a wide range of other grape varieties are also produced including over 36 types of the Vitis grape family, 15 of which are native to Texas. New Mexico grows over 30 different varieties of grape in over 35 wineries across the state.

Midwestern United States

Missouri, Illinois and Minnesota are the main wine producing states in this part of the US with Missouri and Illinois both home to around 80 wineries producing a range of grapes. Missouri growers tend to produce mainly American varieties of grape such as Norton, Concord and Catawba. 12 mainly hybrid varieties make up 89% of Illinois growers output: Chardonel, Chambourcin, Vignoles, Traminette, Concord, Foch, Seyval, Norton, Vidal Blanc, Frontenac, Niagara, and Cayuga White. Minnesota's cold climate means extensive research into cold-hardy grapes is conducted here. The Frontenac hybrid variety is a result of cross-breading and research by the University of Minnesota.

Great Lakes Region

Michigan, Northern New York State and Ohio are the main wine producing states in this part of the USA. Michigan is home to around 100 wineries traditionally producing sweet wines from native American grapes or French/American hybrid varieties as well as being the leading state for producing fruit wines. 83% of New York wine is made from Vitis Labrusca varieties, mainly Concord. Ohio is home to 110 wineries, mainly growing American grape varieties since 1823 although hybrid grapes have become more common recently.

East Coast of the United States

New Jersey, New York State, Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina all produce wines with New York State the third largest producing area, New Jersey the fifth largest, Pennsylvania the eighth largest and North Carolina tenth, most producing a wide range of wines. North Carolina is home to the Scuppernong grape variety which produces a sweet wine.