News Release
Salmon River Wine & Viticulture Conference to be held January 29 th
Grangeville, ID, January 17, 2014 : “In the 1970s and again in 1996, three regions in Idaho were identified by the University of Idaho as suitable for growing wine grapes,” said organizer Melisa Bryant of Ida-Lew EDC. “The Snake River Valley has official American Viticulture Area status, the Lewis Clark Valley is working on AVA status and the Salmon River area is rich with possibilities. It makes sense to explore this industry for the Salmon River area: the global wine supply is barely keeping up with demand and US wine is already a booming $34.6 Billion industry.”
The Salmon River Wine and Viticulture Conference will begin at 9:00 am MST / 8:00 am PST on Wednesday, January 29th at the Riggins Community Center, 121 Lodge Street, Riggins, ID. Attend this informative conference to explore the potential for a thriving wine industry in the region, what possible ventures exist and how to get started. Presentations are geared towards anyone interested in growing wine grapes, making wine, selling wine or starting a winery. This means land owners, farmers, investors, tourism related businesses, retail businesses, entrepreneurs and community members.
Conference presenters will include Dr. Esmaeil “Essie” Fallahi, Professor of Pomology (fruit crop science); Mike Kiester and Tom Elias, Associate Professors of Pomology and Viticulture; Richard Spencer, District Soil and Water Conservationist; and Coco Umiker, owner/winemaker of Clearwater Canyon Cellars. Other presentations will include resources for viticulture, wine, business development, financing, education, upcoming events and more. The conference is scheduled to conclude at 4:00 pm MST / 3:00 pm PST.
Lunch will be available for purchase during a one hour networking session from Noon to 1:00 pm MST. A full event agenda and registration form are available online at . Registration forms are due to be received by 5:00 pm on January 27, 2014. The Conference is being sponsored by the Salmon River Chamber of Commerce and its business members, the Clearwater Economic Development Association and the Ida-Lew Economic Development Council.
Thank you,
Melisa Bryant | Economic Development Specialist
IDA-LEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, INC.
300 W. Main St. Suite 201 | PO Box 393 | Grangeville, ID 83530
(208) 983-8302 | melisa@ida-lew.org | www.ida-lew.org
