Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Fund has awarded a FY 22 Service Provider grant to the Vermont Grape and Wine Council, as part of nearly $1 million in grants statewide (see list below). The grant underwrites the development and submission of a petition to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) to create an American Viticulture Area (AVA) for the Champlain Valley of Vermont. These federally recognized viticulture areas identify grape and wine regions with unique characteristics and enable wine makers to label their wines to reflect these exceptional areas.
The proposed designation would be Vermont’s first AVA. Currently we have twenty-five vineyards and/or wineries dotted throughout the Champlain Valley of Vermont with one hundred sixteen acres in commercial grape production. The valley includes organic grape and wine producers, as well as farmers growing cold-climate vines sold to Northern states customers. In addition to grape cultivation and wine production, many businesses operate tasting rooms and offer tours. Coupled with the state’s leadership in craft beer and artisan cheese, farm-to-plate restaurants, commitment to sustainable agriculture, and media attention, today’s consumers seek out Vermont-made wines.
Beyond local distribution, Champlain Valley of Vermont wines enjoy strong regional and national markets as well as considerable Internet interest and sales. Although affected by COVID-19 restrictions, local wineries adapted to these conditions to remain in business. Going forward, we believe the imprimatur of a Champlain Valley of Vermont AVA will contribute to an increase of grape cultivation and wine production and heighten consumer awareness and sales. A new AVA will overlay existing trails for locally-made beer, cheese, spirits, other farm and food enterprises and boost local tourism.
After submission to TTB, it reviews the petition for completeness and rule-making and requests any initial revisions. Next, the Bureau creates a narrative document for public comment, reviews the remarks and may require additional revisions. Finally, TTB and Treasury officials approve the AVA petition and then post it in the Federal Register. The entire review and approval process can take several months.
2022 Service Provider Investments
Addison County
Addison County Relocalization Network, Inc. (ACORN)
$20,000 for Champlain Valley Food Hub business plan and feasibility study.
Chittenden County
Center for Women & Enterprise
$20,000 for business planning for women-owned working lands businesses in Vermont.
Vermont Grape and Wine Council
$12,000 to create an American Viticultural Area (AVA) for the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Northeast Organic Farming Association - Vermont
$82,017 for a continuum of business development services for early stage farmers.
Paul, Frank, and Collins
$100,000 for building executive business skills for working lands businesses.
Washington County
Vermont Releaf Collective
$20,000 for developing culturally relevant technical assistance for BIPOC-led working lands enterprises.
Vermont Community Loan Fund
$150,000 for SPROUT low-interest loan program for emerging Vermont working lands entrepreneurs.
Vermont Housing and Conservation Board - Forest Economy
$99,965 for expanding access to business assistance services for the forest economy.
Vermont Housing and Conservation Board- Agriculture
$97,722 for building resilience in the agriculture sector through executive business and marketing skills.
Northeast Forests
$65,000 for Vermont Forest Business School training and business coaching program.
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
$100,000 for developing a supply chain for beef-on-dairy terminal crossbred animals.