175A.4 - GRAPE AND WINE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.
175A.4 GRAPE AND WINE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.
The department in cooperation with the commission shall establish
grape and wine development programs by assisting persons in
establishing, improving, or expanding vineyards or winemaking
operations, including wineries. To every extent feasible, the
programs shall provide assistance to persons located in all regions
of the state. The programs may provide for all of the following:
1. Technical assistance which may include all the following:
a. Viticultural assistance in order to increase the size of
vineyards, improve yield, and enhance the character, composition, and
condition of grapes. The department may provide technical assistance
regarding the selection and management of vines suitable for regions
of this state; cultivation and harvest practices; the implementation
of practices designed to improve grape growing based on soil types,
nutrients and minerals, space, climate, and drainage; the use of
recommended varieties of native or hybrid cultivars; and disease,
weed, and pest control, including the safe and effective application
of pesticides or herbicides or the use of organic practices.
b. Oenological assistance which may be based on oenological
study in order to produce, preserve, and transport commercially
viable wines, including high-quality wines, wines adapted to
particular regions of the state, and wines with distinctive tastes
produced from native or hybrid cultivars. The technical assistance
may include assistance regarding improving practices or constructing
facilities designed to expand or improve processing, cellarage, or
bottling.
2. Financial assistance which shall be in the form of a loan,
forgivable loan, loan guarantee, cost share, indemnification of
costs, or any combination of such financing as deemed appropriate by
the commission. The financial assistance may be awarded to persons
beginning or engaged in grape growing or winemaking, based on a sound
business plan that demonstrates the viability of the proposed
operations. Section History: Recent Form
2001 Acts, ch 162, §5
Referred to in § 175A.3, 175A.5