Why Vermont?

Burlington, Vermont, USA will host the next VitiNord conference December 4-7, 2022.

For the past 14 years, Vitinord conferences have promoted the advencement of viticulture and oenology in northern environments characterized by cool or short summers and/or cold winters.  Various cities have hosted Vitinord conferences, including Riga, Latvia (2006); St. Hyacinthe, Quebec (2009); Neubrandenburg, Germany/Szczecin, Poland (2012); Nebraska City, Nebraska, USA (2015) and Malmo, Sweden/Copenhagen, Denmark (2018). 

As we approach the third decade in a new century, Vermont has become a touchstone for the future of wine not only in the United States, but internationally.  Vermont wineries are renowned for their production of world-class Marquette and other cold-climate wines, for growing community of ‘natural’ winemakers who use biodynamic practices and minimal intervention to make exciting terroir-based wines, and collaboration with cideries ans other premium berverage makers to expand the idea of what wine can be.

Home to the University of Vermont; neighbor to New York and Cornell Universit; and colleague of the University of Minnesota, Vermont has proved to be a perfect testing ground for modern winegrape varieties informed by hybridization, resilience, and adaptability to the region.  Using primarily progressive and regenerative farming methods, Vermont growers have fostered an ideal environment for winegrape growing. As host of Vitinord, Vermont and its thriving wine community – from growers and producers to shops, restaurants, and wine educators – is the ideal place for those working and interested in the world of northern wines to gather. 

Along the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, the waterfront showcases spectacular views of the Adirondack mountain range in neighboring New York.   A college town, Burlington is home to the University of Vermont and Champlain College. Burlington is a quintessential college town, with a vibrant nightlife, food scene, and retail center. 

The rest of Vermont is predominantly rural, with farm and forest land broken by small villages that support vibrant local old communities. The state boasts many hiking and ski trails, enhancing its outdoor opportunities. Vermont is the most agricultural state in New England, and dairy accounts for more than 70% of Vermont’s agriculture industry.  Other important crops include maple syrup, apples, diversified vegetables, and, increasingly, grapes and wine.

An important and expanding part of Vermont’s economy is the manufacture and sale of artisan foods, fancy foods, and novelty items trading in part upon the Vermont “brand,” which the state manages and defends. Examples of these specialty exports include Cabot Cheese, the Vermont Teddy Bear Company, Fine Paints of Europe, Vermont Butter and Cheese Company, several microbreweries, ginseng growers, Burton Snowboards, King Arthur Flour, and Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream.