This new WSU Tri-Cities leader aims to help the wine industry on a global scale
Washington State University’s founding chair of the Department of Viticulture and Enology in Richland is a Cal Poly State University professor with a deep appreciation for the science.
The college announced recently that Jean Dodson Peterson will fill the position. She’ll work as an associate professor in addition to her role as founding chair, and be based at the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center in Richland.
“The WSU Viticulture and Enology faculty is doing relevant, inspiring work that is benefiting the wine and grape industry on a global scale,” Dodson Peterson said in a statement.
“I want to continue to support their efforts, enable the creation of new partnerships and grow our research, academic programming and extension efforts such that all our students enter the industry career-ready,” she continued.
In 2020, WSU created a bachelor’s degree in viticulture and enology and began work to establish a proper department based on the study. The department is in its final stages of development.
She will take over leadership from renowned wine scientist Thomas Henick-Kling, who has served the college’s viticulture and enology programs since 2009.
Eastern Washington is the producer of some of the best wines in both the Pacific Northwest and U.S. The industry regionally saw an explosion after the turn of the century.
Wine in Washington state is now an $8 billion industry, according to the Washington State Wine Commission. The Evergreen State is also the second-largest producer of wine in the U.S., producing about 17 million cases annually.
The Tri-Cities area alone houses more than 200 wineries in a 50-mile radius. Wine industries in Benton and Yakima counties support about 7,600 jobs and bring in roughly $2.6 billion in revenue; the Wine Commission does not have data on Franklin County.
In addition, Chateau Ste. Michelle, the largest wine producer in the Pacific Northwest, recently announced it is moving its operations to Eastern Washington, where they already operate several vineyards and wine brands.
The Wine Science Center, which opened in 2015, is among the most technically advanced wine research and education facilities in the world. It plays host to teaching laboratories, a wine library and research center.
Faculty and researchers there are educating wine industry leaders and developing research that improves the grape-growing and winemaking process.
Recently, a research team conducted groundbreaking research on smoke exposure to wine and grapes.
Dodson Peterson’s priorities with the department include recruiting undergraduate students and working with faculty as the department develops to ensure timely degree progress for students. She also hopes to focus on students’ and faculty’s needs.
WSU Tri-Cities Chancellor Sandra Haynes described Dodson Peterson as a “vibrant and enthusiastic leader.”
“Given our proximity to the Washington wine industry in the mid-Columbia region, we value our relationships with winemakers and grape growers. Dr. Dodson Peterson’s focus on students success, experience with the wine industry and in higher education, and openness to innovation will be great benefits to our campus and the future of the industry.”
Dick Boushey, owner of Boushey Vineyards and leader of the Wine Commission’s research committee, said he believes Dodson Peterson has the ability to draw in and engage new students. He was a member WSU’s hiring committee to fill the chair position.
“I’m as excited about this hire as anything the WSU wine program has done, and I’ve been working with this program since the 1980s,” he said.
Dodson Peterson has a Ph.D and master’s in horticulture and agronomy from the University of California, Davis. She also received her bachelor’s degree in viticulture and enology there.
She’s been a faculty member at Cal Poly since 2014. Her research there focused on grapevine rootstock-scion interactions, physiology, rootstock selection and vine performance factors.
Dodson Peterson said she originally wanted to be a medical doctor, but became enthralled in and curious about the world of wine after taking an introduction to wine class at UC Davis.
“I did switch to V&E and have never regretted it for a second,” she said.
Her work has awarded her the Panhellenic Award for Excellence in Education and the Terrance Harris Award for Excellence in Mentorship.
This story was originally published July 27, 2022 at 12:55 PM.
