First Red Mountain Planting

First Red Mountain Planting. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. Last Friday Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark took part in a ceremony to plant the first grapevines in a 404-acre development of state school trust lands for vineyards and wineries in the Red Mountain American Viticulture Area (AVA). GOLDMARK: It is a very significant event that we're helping to recognize in the sense that the State of Washington has another 400-acre block here of land that's right in the Red Mountain AVA, about 300 of that is destines to be planted to grapes and we are recognizing the fact that our lessee has commenced on this last project and I believe either has or will soon complete about 65 acres of planting this spring. As the manager of state trust lands, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources signed a long-term lease with Vintage Partners LLC to develop premium vineyards on the state-owned parcel. GOLDMARK: This is very valuable vineyard land because it produces some exceptional quality and the state is fortunate enough to have 900 acres within this AVA so we are a major land manager here and so having the opportunity to finally get on with it and get this remaining 300 acres in production is significant because it will create a lot of jobs and it will create a lot of fine wine and it will create significant revenue streams for the trust beneficiaries. The project aims to enhance the area's agriculture economy and diversify the assets of the Common School Trust, which provides millions of dollars annually in non-tax revenue to build public schools in Washington State. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.