Wine grape growers, winemakers invited to learn about research projects supported by the Washington State wine industry.
SEATTLE (February 1, 2018) – Washington State wine grape growers and wineries have several upcoming opportunities to learn about the latest industry supported viticulture and enology research. Registration is now open for the day-long Washington Advancements in Viticulture and Enology (WAVE) seminar, along with two condensed half-day WAVEx seminars. The WAVE seminars are sponsored by the Washington State Wine Commission and Washington State University.
WAVEx-Grape Viruses – March 15, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Wine Science Center – Sensory Classroom, Washington State University, Richland
The focus of this seminar will be on managing grapevine viral diseases for healthy vineyards, their economic impact on long-term vineyard health, wine quality and what’s needed to successfully manage viruses in the future. Lunch will include a comparison tasting of research wines made from virus-infected vines and healthy vines. In addition to presenting outcomes from virus management research, an interactive grower discussion will share practical tips to help growers control virus. Pesticide certification credits have been requested from the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Target audience: Washington wine grape growers. Register here.
WAVEx-Lake Chelan – March 30, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Tsillan Cellars, Chelan
The Lake Chelan Wine Alliance is teaming up with WSU and the Wine Commission to bring WAVEx to north central Washington. The morning program, designed for growers, will share recent research on grape powdery mildew resistance and new sprayer technologies, with the goal of helping growers optimize spray programs. The afternoon session “Dealing with Funky Fruit” will share practical winemaking information to help wineries coax the best out of their fruit. Target audience: Washington wine grape growers and wineries. Register here.
WAVE – April 4, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Clore Center, Prosser
WAVE, Washington’s signature research event, will feature in-depth research findings and conclude with a wine social. Vineyard topics include an assessment of new sprayer technologies, fine-tuning irrigation strategies, and managing vineyard salinity issues. Winery topics are managing Brettanomyces in the winery, what have we learned about smoke taint, and managing tannins in the winery. WAVE will conclude with a wine social hour. Target audience: Washington wine grape growers and wineries. Register here.
The goal of WAVE is to raise awareness about the value of research among grape growers and wineries. The research seminars have become a valuable venue to share research and discuss future research and bring scientists and industry members together.
Washington’s wine industry driven and guided viticulture and enology research program has resulted in game changing outcomes that have helped growers reduce pesticide and fungicide usage, conserve irrigation water and improve overall wine quality. Nearly 25 percent of the Wine Commission’s almost $6 million budget is spent on research, an amount that includes the industry’s payment of its $7.4 million commitment to help build the Wine Science Center at WSU’s Richland campus.
About Washington State Wine
Washington State Wine represents every licensed winery and wine grape grower in Washington State. Guided by an appointed board, the mission of the WSW is to raise positive awareness and demand for Washington State wine through marketing and education while supporting viticulture and enology research to drive industry growth. Funded almost entirely by the industry through assessments based on grape and wine sales, the WSW is a state government agency, established by the legislature in 1987. To learn more, visit www.washingtonwine.org.
