Wine Research 2023 Pt 2
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. Since 2015, the Washington Wine Commission board has been allocating funds for wine research targeting numerous challenges facing wine grape growers and winemakers.
But, Washington Wine Research Director, Melissa Hansen says the focus of the research quickly becomes pretty obvious …
HANSEN … “A common thread through, if you look over the topics, a real common thread is tools and practices to improve vineyard sustainability. Last year, the Washington wine industry launched Sustainable WA and that’s a statewide certification program that was developed just for Washington vineyards and wineries.”
Which, Hansen says, makes everyone stronger …
HANSEN … “As that now is, you know, getting out and getting used there are areas that we need to beef up our best practices, beef up research on different areas so the growers have tools really, you know, do a great job on the sustainability side.”
One example …
HANSEN … “So, we have things like using drones to release beneficial bugs to go eat the bad bugs.”
Practices we see, Hansen says become more common in agriculture …
HANSEN … “Exactly, exactly! You know, we want to be in business in 20-years and be able to pass it down to the next generation and they want to pass it down in good shape.”
For more information on the Wine Research program, go to the Washington Wine Commission website at www.washingtonwine.org
