Wine tourism gentrification

Abstract

The wine industry has grown substantially throughout the United States, with projected growth to continue above that of the overall economy. While wine grape and production can be found in all 50 states, the most recognized states for quality wines include California, Washington, and Oregon. The wine regions in these states are traditionally rural, agricultural areas; with the growth of wineries, tasting rooms, and visitors, these areas have been transformed from locations with limited activities and services to areas with high-end restaurants, events, and luxury lodging operations. The process of gentrification, along with population increase and real estate appreciation, is investigated throughout this chapter. While tourism development is frequently touted in a positive light, it also can have detrimental effects on a region, impacting the quality of life in both positive and negative ways. Rather than focus on the effects of gentrification in urban cities, this chapter considers the impact of the growing wine industry and tourism on rural areas of the United States. The transformation of a middle-class rural area into a relatively affluent and exclusive enclave, marked by a proliferation of wineries, population increase, and the new residential development impacts on residents, is explored.