(JRN) - Idaho’s wine industry is booming. According to research by the Idaho Wine Commission, 2013 was the most productive year for the industry.

Since 2012, the industry has seen a 76% increase in the number of wine cases bottled. In a news release, the Idaho Wine Commission said 234,000 cases were bottled in 2013, up from 179,000 wine cases in 2012.

"The fact that the wine industry brought nearly $170 million to Idaho's economy is a testament to the hard work of our local winemakers and wineries,” says Jeff Sayer, director of Idaho Department of Commerce said in the news release. “Local support is key to having a successful wine industry and local restaurants and Idahoans are becoming the biggest cheerleaders for Idaho wine. I look forward to seeing this industry continue to thrive and grow."

Idaho is home to 51 wineries, a number of them are hidden away in Southwest Idaho. In 2002 there were just 11. A number of factors has gone into the growth. Wineries in the Treasure Valley credit exposure.

"What's happen is that we are starting to get some traction with our local restaurants. We're starting to get traction with chef.” Huston Vineyard owner, Greg Allgar, told On Your Side reporter Chris Oswalt.” When that starts happening, we start to focus on Idaho and Idaho consumers”.

Allgar says only six-percent of the wine consumed in Idaho is made in the Gem State. Allgar and the Idaho Wine Commission hope that will change in the coming years.

"Every year, year upon year we have grown and expanded total production with the exception of the last couple of years which have had a little bit of decline in the number of acres that are planted,” Allgar commented.

The added wines being produced here in Idaho aren’t just ordinary wines. The Idaho Wine Commission calls them award winning.

“National and international critics are now awarding Idaho wineries with high ratings, awards and critical acclaim for what local winemakers have known for a long time: that wines grown in the soils and climate of the Snake River Valley can be among the world's best,”