Feedback from survey determines direction of research program.
SEATTLE (January 5, 2022)—The Washington State Wine Commission is asking wine grape growers and wineries to fill out the 2022 research survey to help identify top wine research priorities.
Washington’s viticulture and enology research program is entirely driven by the industry and the annual research survey is a key component. The survey collects industry feedback to guide the annual reevaluation of priorities by the Wine Research Advisory Committee, a subcommittee of the Washington State Wine Commission. The priority list, used by scientists when they develop research proposals and projects, helps ensures that the program addresses important needs specific to Washington’s wine industry.
The statewide viticulture and enology research program awards research grants to scientists at Washington State University and is funded by Washington State University, the Washington State Wine Commission, Auction of Washington Wines and state taxes collected on all wine sold. Additionally, the Wine Commission awards research grants directly to Washington community colleges and research outside of WSU. Last year, more than $1M was awarded through the research grant programs.
Past research projects have shown game-changing outcomes and given wineries and growers tools to do things like save irrigation water by up to 50-percent in red varieties, reduce pesticide usage, identify powdery mildew resistance to fungicides, predict grapevine cold hardiness and manage cold events, improve tannin management for winemaking, better control wine spoilage, and improve overall wine quality.
All Washington wine industry members who utilize viticulture and enology research are asked to participate in the short survey.
About the Washington State Wine Commission:
The Washington State Wine Commission (WSWC) represents every licensed winery and wine grape grower in Washington State. Guided by an appointed board, WSWC provides a marketing platform to raise positive awareness about the Washington wine industry and generate greater demand for its wines. Funded almost entirely by the industry through assessments based on grape and wine sales, WSWC is a state government agency, established by the legislature in 1987. Learn more at www.washingtonwine.org.
