Jason Schultz basks in the beauty of his backyard vineyard.
"The grapes are starting to turn. We call this veraison,” said Schultz as he described his grapes.
He and his wife, Debora have over 400 vines at their home in Spanish Springs. Their operation, “Twin Mustang Vineyard” exists out of pure passion, constantly caring for the grapes to try new wine variations and growing strategies.
"It seems to work with this variety; you just tie it like that."
All this work so hopefully one day, they can sell their wine.
"We're sort of kind of in stuck in the middle right now."
Last year's legislative session lifted a ban on wineries in both Washoe and Clark counties so the owners at Twin Mustang Vineyard hope to one day be a commercial winery.
"Now it's getting at the local level where the cities and the counties are making it blend with their codes and amendments that they have and we are now in the process of doing that.”
As of 2013, over 7,000 wineries existed across the United States and only four of them were in the state of Nevada something one non-profit says will change in the coming years because of the expanding interest in grape growing and wine making.
"Because of all these backyard enthusiasts, they've kind of created the climate and the visual growing properties for the wine industry in Nevada,” said Teri Bath, President of Nevada Vines and Wines.
Retail wine sales totaled $36.3 billion in 2013.
"The kinds of industry that is has made for many of these states and Nevada has to get on board."
As one of the larger backyard vineyards, Twin Mustang Vineyard is hopeful they will be able to apply for a business license soon.
"We've been working with the county, they've been very responsive. I think we should have it all ironed out in the next month or two,” said Schultz.
But until then, they continue to share their home made wine and growing methods with others.
"People will be able to come and pour their own wine so people can see what home wine making tastes like,” said Debora Schultz.
Nevada Vines and Wines is organizing a self-guided tour this weekend of 10 backyard vineyards all over the area from Mogul to Mount Rose. They say grapes grow really well in Nevada’s dry climate and the tour is an opportunity for them to share with others how they too can have a backyard vineyard.
"It gives people the idea of what can be done in the area so if they want to join in they can."
