2017 Washington Wine Annual Report

Dear Stakeholders and Friends of the Washington State Wine Industry,

The second year of the Washington State Wine Commission’s amped up research program is now complete, and we’re proud to share the 2017 program highlights with you. The research program is guided by a well-defined strategic plan, including goals and objectives developed for the Wine Commission with broad industry involvement. This strategic plan will be the roadmap for our expanded research program in the years to come.

In the program’s first year, the overall focus was to raise industry awareness about the value of viticulture and enology research to growers and winemakers in our thriving industry. We built on the program’s strong start and expanded our strategic communications efforts to hit all mediums. In addition, we worked to increase industry engagement through WAVE, the research seminar sponsored by the Wine Commission and Washington State University.

Many thanks go to the Wine Research Advisory Committee, a subcommittee of the Wine Commission. The Committee reviews research proposals, works individually with researchers throughout the year and provides industry perspective to drive the statewide research grant program.

The Wine Commission’s research program is one the few in the nation that is funded by all wine grape growers and wineries in the state and not based on private contributions of growers and wineries. The program is:

• Industry driven – research priorities are established by growers and winemakers

• Industry guided - recommendations are approved by industry

• Results are available to all winemakers and growers regardless of size

The over-arching goal is to provide science-based tools so that every winemaker can make better wine and every grower can grow better grapes; continuously improving and making Washington State a leader in the world of wine.

V & E research is not just a cornerstone of the Washington wine industry, it’s a strategic imperative for the industry’s continued health and long-term growth. We’re laying the foundation to create a world-class research program that attracts the best and brightest scientists, increases collaboration among researchers and universities and leverages industry funds to achieve outside grant awards.

We’re here to help if you need any assistance, want to be more involved or have thoughts to share.

Cheers,

Steve Warner
President & CEO

Melissa Hansen
Research Program Manager

WAVE: WASHINGTON ADVANCEMENTS IN VITICULTURE & ENOLOGY

Washington Advancements in Viticulture and Enology, a research seminar co-sponsored by the Washington State Wine Commission and Washington State University. The seminar features the latest findings of research supported by the Washington State wine industry.

WAVE 2017

WAVE attendance more than doubled from the first year

WAVEx

A condensed version of WAVE with more winery focus, was added in 2017. WAVEx will be held in outlying wine regions to bring practical application of research to winemakers. More than 85 winemakers attended WAVEx held in Walla Walla and Woodinville.