08/10/06 August is Wine Month

August is Wine Month! I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. The Washington Wine Commission is celebrating the governor-proclaimed Washington Wine Month in during August. Director of Trade Marketing for the Commission, Colleen Redfield explains. REDFIELD: It celebrates the state's wine industry. It's been going on for at least 7 or 8 years that I know of and basically its to let the public know that Washington is the number 2 producer of premium wine in the nation. Currently we have over 400 wineries located in every corner of the state and they're producing every style of wine that a consumer could possible want. As you visit your local retail wine outlets, look for the Wine Month displays. REDFIELD: Well during Washington Wine Month the Wine Commission works with distributors throughout the state, not only in Washington but some of it does filter into Oregon and Idaho as well, we run some consumer sweepstakes so consumers could enter to win a trip to a wine country for two for a weekend to the region of their choice. The Wine Commission will put everything together for them and they'll get a VIP tour and tastings through selected wineries. We also run display contest for the retail stores and this is primarily targeted at chain stores as well as independents and Washington State liquor stores. Redfield says this is a great time to stock up or try new wine varieties. For more information visit their website at washingtonwine.org. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.