Financial woes and market whims have plagued many industries in the state in recent times, but the wine industry seems to be an exception.
They say people drink more in hard times, but that's really not the reason for the industry's continued record-setting growth.
A lot more acres of vineyards are coming to harvest age, helping the industry crush more than 165,000 tons of grapes in 2009.
While most folks tend to visualize red when they think of wine, more than a third of those grapes were the white varietals of chardonnay and riesling.
Vineyards that were planted a few years ago finally are producing. Unlike many other crops, it takes vines more than a single season to mature. And the warm weather last summer helped increase the amount of grapes per acre.
The great thing about the wine industry -- whether you imbibe or abstain from consuming the fermented fruit of the vine -- is that it combines agriculture and tourism in a blissful marriage that brings the economy full circle in our backyard.
Our vineyards grow the grapes, which are sold to the wineries, which are made into wine, which is sold the consumer. That consumer may be local or from another country, as Washington wines inch their way onto restaurant menus and store shelves across the nation and international borders.
As most wine lovers know, it all starts with the grape. In the Tri-Cities we're blessed with the growing conditions and soil to make those vines happy and productive. Or stressed and productive, if you want to get more technical.
Wineries have tapped into the tourism industry to showcase the finished product, developing sophisticated tasting rooms, entertainment programs and some dining options.
People who like wine like to see where it's made. So when they buy that bottle of Washington wine and enjoy it, a vacation in our wine country could follow.
Our wineries are in close proximity to each other, our landscape is covered in vineyards and we've got rivers running through the mix to add to the appeal. Throw in a few rounds of golf and a nice dinner and you've got a great long-weekend visit to the Tri-Cities.
The wine industry as a whole contributes $3 billion to our state's economy and provides jobs for 15,000 people.
With 650 wineries licensed by the state, we're just getting warmed up. Areas across the state are reinventing themselves as wine destinations, from Lake Chelan to Woodinville.
We're proud of our wine industry. And while it's unlikely we'll unseat California from its throne, we're making a statement across the country with the quality of our wines. (California crushed 3.44 million tons of wine grapes last year.)
While the growth of grape production has been impressive, it's not likely to be sustained. Plantings have slowed, and production will level off in the next few years.
But with 34,000 acres in wine grapes and another 2,600 set to come online in the next two years, there should be some incremental increases in production ahead.
And what better way to support our local industry than with a purchase. Where's that corkscrew?
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A day in the life in Washington wine country (w/galleries)
A day in the life in Washington wine country (w/galleries)
Ah, the idyllic and romantic life of the Washington winemaker during harvest. Leisurely days are spent strolling vineyards, occasionally checking on the progress of ripening clusters by plucking a plump grape and popping it in your mouth before heading to a fabulous autumn feast.
OK, not quite. In fact, not even close.
"It's not romance as much as it's an adrenaline rush," said Greg Osenbach, owner of Whidbey Island Winery in Langley, who uses grapes from both sides of the Cascades. "It's exciting, but it's exhausting."
Wine grape harvest to be down about 16 percent
Wine grape harvest to be down about 16 percent
With the beginning of harvest a month away, Washington wine grape growers are receiving confirmation of what they have seen in their vineyards: The 2011 crop will be down significantly.
According to a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture's crop estimate, Washington wine grape harvest will be down about 16 percent, or about 135,000 tons down from a record 160,000 tons last fall. If the estimates are close to what vintners see in September and October, the crop will be at its lowest since 2007, when 127,000 tons were harvested.
"By the time we got to April and May, our initial crop estimates reflected this," said Co Dinn, director of winemaking for Hogue Cellars in Prosser, one of Washington's largest wineries. "We were braced for a big decrease."
Idaho wine country continues to grow
Idaho wine country continues to grow
MARSING, Idaho -- Tractors still dot the fruit-and-nut themed roads (plum, pecan, apricot) of Canyon County's Sunny Slope, but these days party-themed limousines and weekend wine tourists are also in evidence.
Their quarry is a cluster of mostly small wineries with an increasingly big reputation.
"We have eight wineries within 10 miles, which is enough for a two-day trip," said Ron Bitner, who recently opened a small bed-and-breakfast at his hilltop winery overlooking the Snake River south of Caldwell.
U.S. approves Naches Heights, Washington's 12th wine region
U.S. approves Naches Heights, Washington's 12th wine region
As Washington's wine industry grows in size and stature, grape growers and winemakers continue to define the best places to plant vines. The newest federally recognized viticultural area is near Yakima.
On Wednesday, the U.S. government announced it has approved the Naches Heights American Viticultural Area, a region near the city of Yakima that encompasses 13,254 acres.
Just 37.3 acres of wine grapes are planted in the new AVA, making it the smallest planted wine region in Washington.
Wine director Pollard to resign
Wine director Pollard to resign
Robin Pollard, executive director of the Washington Wine Commission for the past six years, announced Thursday that she will leave at the end of December.
"It's very much a personal decision," she said. "I've been in this position for six years, and I'm proud of what has been accomplished during my tenure. I feel like I'm leaving the commission at a really good point. We have a clear path forward."
Pollard, who worked for the state in Olympia before taking over the burgeoning wine industry, oversaw rapid growth. When she took the post in 2005, the state boasted 360 wineries. Today, there are more than 740 wineries in Washington -- and dozens of wineries now have multiple locations across the state.
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