Washington Wine Month

Washington Wine Month. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

It was a major event to the Washington wine industry that passed relatively unnoticed.

POLLARD: The Governor proclaiming August as Washington Wine Month has been a long standing tradition and so with the election and new term of Governor Gregoire we thought it timely to update the actual wording of the proclamation and bring it current.

That’s Robin Pollard, Executive Director of the Washington Wine Commission who says the industry is excited about using this proclamation.

POLLARD: We largely focus on our retailer partners. We encourage retailers in Washington State to do wine displays and really enhance their efforts to promote Washington wines throughout the month of August and we’ve had a great response over the years.

The wine industry continues to grow by leaps and bounds in the state. Only a few weeks back we reported that the industry had seen its 600^th winery.

POLLARD: Well I think as of the other day we jumped up to 108. We have a lot of great people in the industry both newcomers as well as longstanding leaders of the industry who recognize that Washington State is such a great place and ideal place to grow grapes and to make wine and so I think the industry is just continuing to build momentum.

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