10/10/08 Promoting Wine

Promoting Wine. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. Yesterday we talked with Robin Pollard, Executive Director of the Washington Wine Commission about their outreach program. They recently came back from a trip to Denver, Colorado where a number of Washington wine-makers had the chance to show off the fruits of their labor and Pollard says it was welcomed with open arms. POLLARD: So far the feedback has been very encouraging and we'll be going to Austin and Phoenix in February with some Washington wineries in tow to introduce our product to the trades similar to what we did in Denver. There is also an advertising campaign running in those markets to help boost the recognition of the Washington wine product. Pollard says there have been some challenges with the current harvest. POLLARD: Based on everything we're hearing from the growers and the vintners alike the quality of the fruit is just astounding. Everyone is so excited about this vintage. It's been a little bit challenging weather-wise but nothing that has been a detriment, it's just again a continual test in determining when the ideal picking time is. Interestingly Pollard says this years grapes will only make the wines get better. POLLARD: Based on some of the fruit I've tasted, it's just super and it also seems like all the characteristics, regardless of the variety seem to be kind of just perfect. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.