Montana is one of the northernmost states of the US, bordered to the south and west by Idaho and to the north by Canada. As indicated by the state's name (montana is Spanish for 'mountain'), the landscapes here are characterized by mountain ranges, around which two of the state's main industries (logging and mining) are based. The traditional grape varieties that appear to do best in the mountainous terroir of Montana are Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer. This is fitting, as these are the grapes most widely grown in the most northerly vineyards of France, with which Montana shares its latitudinal position of 42-49°N.
The state covers 83,500 square miles (215,500 sq km) across several mountain ranges, the most notable of which are the Rocky Mountains. The prevalence of hillsides and slopes created by these ranges may seem ideal for quality viticulture (many of the world's most famous wines are produced from hillside sites), but the cool, often unpredictable climate here does not widely favor viticulture.
Due to the climatic limitations in Montana's viticultural regions, the few wineries in the state are turning to fruits such as huckleberries, cherries and apples to produce wines. An increasing number of wine producers are also importing grapes from Oregon and Washington, where the terroir is more conducive to premium viticulture.
Of course, there are some wines made from Montana grapes, grown in areas where the mesoclimates created by the topography have created small pockets of potential vineyard, some of which have been now been discovered and exploited. Just as the early vignerons of Europe sought out suitable vineyard sites in and around hillsides and valleys, so Montana's wine future rests in the discovery and maximization of these sites.
At present, there are no official American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in Montana, and the state's wine industry is so new that there is no official organization to promote its wines, as there is in many other viticulturally young US states.
In 2010, the Montana range of wines from New Zealand were renamed 'Brancott' (the name of their home vineyard) to avoid confusion with wines from Montana state.
