Washington Wine Research Funding Boost Pt 1

Washington Wine Research Funding Boost Pt 1

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
With today's Fruit Grower Report, I'm Bob Larson. The wine industry in the state of Washington is significantly increasing its research budget nearly 300% over the next four years. The Washington Wine Commission's Board of Directors approved the new strategic plan last week that will support and fund an estimated $5.5-million worth of research.

The Commission's Research Program Director Melissa Hansen says that includes the $1-million they've dedicated to research each of the past three years ...

HANSEN ... "That won't be all of just Wine Commission, but that will also include the ongoing statewide program that we have right now. But, that's been at about a million dollars."

So, Hansen says this jump in wine research funding is significant ...

HANSEN ... "Without our infusion it would probably be, over the four years, would be about $4-million. So, our infusion will bump it up, we think, to maybe even more than $5.5-million, but that's my, that's my goal is that Washington's wine industry, and then plus our statewide program, will support research that's worth about 5-and-a-half-million. So, yes, it is a big, big step up. We have big plans."

Those big plans, she says were the goal all along ...

HANSEN ... "When I was hired, almost four years ago, my number one priority was, raise the awareness of the value and importance of research with the industry so that when we get to this place that we're at right now, we're ready to take it to the next level. So, we are ready now to take it to the next level."

Listen tomorrow for more on wine research funding in Washington state.

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