Wine Research Review 2019 Pt 2
With today's Fruit Grower Report, I'm Bob Larson. The Washington State Wine Commission's annual Research Review is right around the corner and you're invited. The 2-day event will be held at the Clore Center in Prosser January 16th & 17th.
The Commission's Melissa Hansen says this year's review has added new wrinkle ...
HANSEN ... "What's changed on this Research Review the last few years is that we've made a really big push to get industry more involved so they can hear first-hand the kind of concepts researchers are thinking of, the direction the research is going, and we actually ask for their input. We ask them to rank the proposals by the importance to industry and then that information by the Wine Research Advisory Committee when they make their funding recommendations."
Hansen says the review is about making things perfectly clear ...
HANSEN ... "We don't expect the industry growers and wine makers to know the ins and outs of a research project and the science and the method, but they can surely know, is this important to the industry or not."
She says there's no charge, but ...
HANSEN ... "It's a meeting that's open to the industry. Pre-registration is needed just so we have a head-count to make sure we have enough room in the meeting room. And, then there's a no-host lunch. We host a wine social at the end of the day just to give some opportunities for growers and wineries to mingle with the researchers and just a good wrap up for the day."
Nearly 30 research proposals will be heard over the two days. The research program currently provides more than $1-million in grants annually. Go to washingtonwine.org for information.
