We're in the heart of Washington wine country and Washington State University has made moves to ensure it is the premier educational institution in that industry.
UC-Davis has long been the mecca for aspiring winemakers, but WSU's Viticulture and Enology Program has gotten several boosts of late to help make it a contender, as well as a critical piece of the ever-important wine industry.
With renowned director Thomas Henick-Kling now at the helm of WSU's program, the university is looking for a home in the Tri-Cities for its Wine Science Center. The center, Henick-Kling says, is critical to the evolution of the wine industry in Washington state.
Research and education will be key components of the 45,000-square-foot, $12 million building. It will cost millions more to furnish and equip.
To achieve that end, the Port of Benton is moving forward with a long-term lease agreement for the center on five acres of port property at George Washington Way and First Street in Richland's research district.
The Wine Science Center would build on work already taking place at the Prosser research facility. But that facility, which works with many other ag products beyond wine, is limited in how much it can do. Currently, Prosser creates about 100 test batches of wine per year. That number would expand to meet the demand for 500 test batches.
The new center would allow for a larger teaching vineyard, the creation of a wine library and a wine analysis laboratory.
Thanks to the Port of Benton and WSU, the Tri-Cities' status in the booming wine industry will continue to become more important and influential across the state and region.
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Top 10 Northwest wine stories of 2011
Top 10 Northwest wine stories of 2011
It was a busy and exciting year for Northwest wineries as they battled Mother Nature as well as political and economic winds.
The industry lost some giants to death, and the heads of Washington's and Oregon's industries left their positions. Here are the top wine stories of 2011.
1. Washington voters pass Initiative 1183. In November, voters did away with Washington's state liquor stores by passing the Costco-backed Initiative 1183. Many wineries, wine shops and groceries are still trying to sort out the full effect of the new law, but the bottom line is that Washington's largest wine retailer -- liquor stores -- are going away.
Top 10 Northwest wine stories of 2011
Top 10 Northwest wine stories of 2011
It was a busy and exciting year for Northwest wineries as they battled Mother Nature as well as political and economic winds.
The industry lost some giants to death, and the heads of Washington's and Oregon's industries left their positions. Here are the top wine stories of 2011.
1. Washington voters pass Initiative 1183. In November, voters did away with Washington's state liquor stores by passing the Costco-backed Initiative 1183. Many wineries, wine shops and groceries are still trying to sort out the full effect of the new law, but the bottom line is that Washington's largest wine retailer -- liquor stores -- are going away.
Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center set to hire architect (w/ gallery)
Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center set to hire architect (w/ gallery)
PROSSER -- Officials with the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center have completed the interview process for an architect and should announce a hire in January for the planned multimillion dollar Prosser facility.
The center announced Monday that it has acquired enough funding to make the move, said Kathy Corliss, the project's director of administration.
The Clore board of directors and the Port of Benton are in negotiations, she told the Herald.
WINE: Clore Center to hire architect in January
WINE: Clore Center to hire architect in January
PROSSER — The Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center in Prosser announced today that it has acquired enough funding to hire an architect in January, according to Kathy Corliss, the project's director of administration.
The project has secured $5.3 million in funding, which includes $3.4 million in state and federal grants. The goal of the project is to reach $6.3 million, and $1.7 million has been spent on site infrastructure and the Vineyard Pavilion, a satellite building to the future Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center.
Next month, the Clore Board of Directors and Port of Benton will hire an architect in January. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2012 with completion in 2013.
Tree fruit growers give $27M to WSU
Tree fruit growers give $27M to WSU
PROSSER -- A $27 million endowment to Washington State University by tree fruit growers will be a "game-changer" for the industry.
That is how Jim Doornink, chairman of Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, described the research and education that a new assessment on apple and pear growers is expected to bring.
The $27 million is the largest gift made to WSU in its history, officials said. Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, donated $26 million to WSU's School for Global Animal Health.
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