Baoruco Province
Grapes first arrived in the Americas here (Columbus's 2nd voyage); INUVA produces 'De La Cima' wines; 74%+ poverty rate despite border zone incentives.
Baoruco Province holds a distinction unique in the Americas: grapes first arrived on this continent here, carried by Columbus's second voyage. The Neiba Valley's dry microclimate and irrigation from the Yaque del Sur created conditions where viticulture took root, and the province remains the Dominican Republic's grape capital. The Instituto Nacional de la Uva (INUVA) operates production facilities in Neiba, marketing wines under the 'De La Cima' brand and hosting an annual Grape Fair since 2009. A 2025 congressional bill proposes officially designating Neiba as the nation's 'Capital of Grapes.'
The province sits between Lake Enriquillo and the Sierra de Baoruco, with coffee cultivation ascending the mountain slopes while bananas fill the Tamayo lowlands. Like all seven Dominican border provinces, Baoruco qualifies for 30-year tax incentives under Law 28-01 designed to stimulate development in regions where poverty rates exceed 74%. The Yaque del Sur provides irrigation that makes intensive agriculture viable despite semi-arid conditions.
By 2026, Baoruco will test whether grape cultivation can revive beyond its symbolic role. If INUVA investments attract additional processing capacity and the 'Capital of Grapes' designation draws agritourism, the province could build a wine and grape products cluster. If production remains small-scale and border poverty persists, the Columbus-era crop will remain more heritage than industry.