BELLE FOURCHE - West River winemaking has been a hobby that only recently has spawned several commercial winemaking businesses in the Black Hills.

In an effort to encourage commercial-level grape vineyards, the Black Hills Grape and Berry Growers Association is sponsoring its second annual wine competition this year.

The deadline to enter this year's competition is Monday, Feb. 25, at the Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce. The winners will be announced at a wine tasting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, Bowman Hall in Herrmann Park.

Why Belle Fourche?

Local dentist John Jackson always has been interested in winemaking. As a longtime leader in the community's development company, Jackson said he saw an opportunity for many Black Hills area farmers and ranchers to supplement ag incomes by growing grapes.

Growth of wineries in the state means a nearby market.

Years ago, the soils and good climate in the Black Hills brought a cucumber and pickle business - but as was often the problem with nontraditional agriculture in the area, the raw product went out of state for processing.

Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce executive Teresa Schanzenbach said the market for grapes and berries at area wineries make winegrowing a natural for the Hills.

She is so sold on the idea that she and her husband, Dave, are among the area's small growers who are developing vineyards.

Although it takes about four years to develop vines for production, Jackson said, the results are very encouraging.

"I'm excited because last year's grapes were of a superior quality," he said. "Because of the drier weather, we had higher sugars, lower acids and are producing a grape that should be excellent for winemaking."

Jackson has about a dozen acres of vineyards now - and plans for major expansion. He and his wife, Patty, are looking forward to their son, Matthew, graduating with a wine major from Fresno State University in California. The family has plans for him to return home to lead the operation to the next step.

Professors at Fresno State have looked at the test results and say there is proof that wine-quality grapes can be grown here.

Grapes for wine have been grown athroughout South Dakota, but Jackson said the Black Hills microclimate is great for growing varieties of grapes normally grown farther south.

He said he doesn't know how far out from the mountain buffer that microclimate goes, "but I can tell you there are growers at Newell, Nisland, Sturgis, Aladdin, in the Rapid City area and clear into the Southern Hills, as far west as Newcastle.

"I see an excellent future for it," Jackson said. "What's nice about it is that people who have 10 acres or 20 acres can use that to supplement income."

Three to five tons per acre are reasonable yields, and the grapes could bring 80 cents to a dollar per pound, depending on the quality of the grapes.

The Black Hills Grape and Berry Growers Association has been in operation for three years and has been sponsoring clinics and seminars to help hobby growers expand and to encourage commercial-level vineyards.

There currently are 13 wineries in South Dakota, most in the eastern part of the state.

That may change.

Grape growers hope the state legislature will look at the potential of grape growing and winemaking and make some changes to state law that has slowed development of the industry.