California wines contributed $57.5 billion to the state's economy and $114 billion to the U.S. economy last year. That’s according to a 2015 report by the Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers.
The report found that the state’s wineries and vineyards generated 325,000 jobs statewide and almost 800,000 across the nation.
Lodi has more than 80 wineries with many of them small and family owned.
Craig Rous with Bear Creek Winery, which is one the biggest growers in San Joaquin County, says that creates jobs.
“You’re going to be providing jobs in construction to build the winery, in people manning the tasting room, in suppliers, providing the glass, the corks, the labels, there’s always a large trickle-down effect,” says Rous.
He also says most vineyards in the Lodi area depend upon wells and so the drought hasn’t been a major factor and more vineyards are likely to be planted.
He adds San Joaquin County has 150,000 acres of vineyards, more than any other county including Napa or Sonoma.
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