Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/561374
w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m S e p t - O c t 2 015 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 2 7 y the time Thomas Henick-Kling was hired as director of viticulture and enology at Washington State University (WSU) in 2009, researchers at the univer- sity and others in the wine industry already knew that there was a problem. "We had conducted a research gap review," Henick- Kling recalled. "We had a list of things we were not doing that we all agreed we should be doing. One reason we were not doing them is that we lacked certain facilities." One example was a high-level research winery. "We had a very small research winery in Prosser, but it was inadequate," he said. "There were a lot of compromis- es made." At the same time, the Washington wine industry was rapidly expanding to more than 850 wineries and 50,000 acres of wine grapes. "In the last five years, we've grown 40% as an industry," said Steve Warner, president of the Washington Wine Commis- sion (WWC). "We realized that if you want to go to that next level and be recognized as a world-class wine-producing region, you have to have the research infrastructure available to support the industry and its growth." IN SEARCH OF FUNDING To address the state's growing research needs, in June 2011 the WWC board NORTHWEST WATCH SEAN P. SULLIVAN passed a motion to make assessments on growers and wineries, which would be allocated for a new science center. The assessments amounted to $2 per ton of grapes for growers and $0.02 per gallon of wine for wineries for a total investment of $7.4 million, to be paid over 10 years. Photo: Erika Holmes, WSU Viticulture and Enology Program Kent Waliser of Sagemoor Vineyards served on the board the oversaw development of the Wine Science Center. Washington Game Changer + Washington State Universi- ty's new Wine Science Cen- ter was created to address a research gap. + The $23 million facility was funded by public and private investments. + The building has a state- of-the-art research winery, laboratory and teaching facilities. + The center will allow researchers to focus on Washington-specific issues, and is expected to raise the quality of Washington wine. AT A GLANCE Newly opened Wine Science Center promises to accelerate state industry's growth