By Madelyn Ostendorf
At Iowa State University, fermenting grapes and grains serves a broader purpose than just producing alcohol products.
Faculty and staff with the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute and the Brewing Science Program translate science into practice, supporting growers, winemakers and brewers while giving students hands-on exposure to the beverage industry.
Pouring out education
For Erin Norton, director of the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute, the wine sold under Iowa State’s
name is not the end goal.
“Our primary mission is to support the grape, wine and related industries to be sustainable and profitable,” Norton said. “We do that through research, outreach and education, and lab services.”
That outreach takes many forms. The institute hosts monthly “Lunch and Learn” webinars, produces fact sheets for industry use and conducts site visits to wineries, particularly those just getting started. Roundtable tastings, where winemakers bring their products and exchange feedback, have also become a popular learning tool.
Beyond Iowa, the institute’s reach extends across the Midwest, filling gaps for states that may lack winemaking support.
Source : iastate.edu