Plans to significantly increase wine research efforts by Washington’s wine industry were approved by the Washington State Wine Commission Board of Directors. The strategic research plan will four years and fund an estimated $5.5 million worth of research.
Total spending on viticulture and enology research in Washington State has exceeded the million-dollar mark the last three years, representing 20% growth in research spending since 2015.
A new element of the strategic research plan includes a competitive grant program that will fund short-term demonstration and proof-of-concept research beginning next year. Industry feedback given to the Wine Commission has identified a void of vineyard and winery research that has rapid, practical application.
All types of research, from basic to applied, are essential in addressing industry challenges, but demonstration trials will be particularly helpful to small wineries and growers unable to conduct in-house wine or vineyard trials, the Commission said. The short-term research program will be open to students and faculty at Washington community colleges and state universities.
The plan also aims to drive the research portfolio by selecting a target focus (research initiative) each year and allocating at least 40% of the Wine Commission’s total research project funds available to the targeted area of study.