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.

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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 in agriculture innovation to support and attract new agricultural businesses, which includes energy and conservation endeavors. Additionally, it will be used to continue to build the future of American agriculture right here in Pennsylvania.

• $145,000 for a novel pest detection program that will use dogs to prevent pest outbreaks without the pricey and potentially harmful use of pesticides.

• $2.18 million in Agriculture Research to help the industry embrace emerging technologies, while also staying ahead of challenges such as diseases, pests, and climate change.

• $8 million for the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program to fund measures that will protect soil and water resources, which are critical for sustaining our 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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