Wine growing in the Caribbean? The land and climate conditions of Neiba, in the province of Bahoruco (an easy three and a half hour drive west of Santo Domingo) have created what seems to be a miracle ? the first bottles of wine that could have been produced in any of the world’s best vineyards. Under the guidance of the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Forestales (IDIAF), the Programa Especial de Desarrollo de la Fruticultura (Prodefurt) and the Direccion General de Desarrollo Fronterizo (DGDF), four government entities, and with the support of a cooperative of winegrowers from Italy, the wine-producing project in Neiba is definitely worth a visit. Neiba is perfect for wine growing because it features daily high day temperatures of 33C+ and chilly 18C evenings, with rainfall a scant 473 milimeters per year, together with abundant sources of underground water. With the assistance of the Italian consultants, some 30 varieties were planted, of which 8 wine varieties were chosen to continue to be planted and developed, and 4 grape varieties for eating. The first wine bottles were produced in August. The pilot program is located in Plaza Cacique, Neiba and has proved the venture is feasible. The project principals are now looking for a partner willing to invest RD$20 million to make it commercially viable. The first phase that has been successfully completed proved the feasibility of the venture that could produce all the wine the country consumes.