600

600

600. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

In the hit movie 300, a small group of only 300 soldiers take on a horde of thousands and I find that oddly reminiscent of the recent statistic released that shows a small but growing number of wineries is taking on the wine consuming public in the NW.

POLLARD: Just recently we learned from the Washington State Liquor and Control Board that we had our 600th  bonded license for a winery here in Washington so we continue to grow by leaps and bounds.

That’s Robin Pollard, Executive Director of the Washington Wine Commission who says the wine industry in the state seems to be weathering the economic storm.

POLLARD: We’re certainly hopeful that everything will continue to grow and prosper. I think everyone in the industry is being very cautious and I think everyone is realizing that we have to continue to work together and aggressively market.

Bridge Press Cellars of Spokane was the 600th winery and that news comes on the heels of a record 145,000-ton harvest for 2008; and Washington recently welcomed the designation of a new AVA - Snipes Mountain - in the Yakima Valley area. The commission’s job has been to sell the rest of the world on Washington wines.

POLLARD: Continuing to raise awareness with consumers and reminding the wine trade what a great value they are getting when they purchase Washington wines at an incredible quality. So that quality/value ratio continues to be our key selling point.

That’s today’s Fruit Grower Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.

 

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