Wine Commission Research Pt 1

With today's Fruit Grower Report, I'm Bob Larson. The Washington State Wine Commission was established by the legislature 30 years ago, in 1987, to lead efforts in education, marketing, promotion, and research of wines made in our state.

The Commission amped-up its research program last year and has just released the first-ever Research Annual Report that lists recent accomplishments ...

MELISSA HANSEN ... "So, in the last strategic plan for the Wine Commission, they do a five-year rolling strategic plan, it was recognized that they really needed to up their game on research. The wine industry has committed about $7-and-a-half-Million dollars to help build the new Wine Science Center at the WSU Tri Cities' campus."

Melissa Hansen says her background, writing wine stories at the Good Fruit Grower for 20 years, led the Wine Commission to hire her as their new Research Program Manager ...

MELISSA HANSEN ... "So, I have had one full year on the job and it was time to put together what we've done in this annual report so industry becomes more aware of what we're trying to accomplish, which is to have a world class research program for viticulture and enology research at WSU and other universities in the state that will really improve grape quality and move the needle, give the growers tools they need that are specific to Washington state and keep this industry sustainable for the long term."

Listen tomorrow for more on the goals and objectives in the Commission's strategic research plan.