Good Fruit Grower

November 2013

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Grapes New wine center fulfills vision Construction is scheduled for completion in early 2015. T by Melissa Hansen he recent groundbreaking of Washington State University's Wine Science Center is not just about the ceremonial start of construction on a new state-of-the-art facility. It's about the future of Washington's wine industry. The new wine center, being built at WSU Tri-Cities, helps fulfill the state wine industry's vision of becoming a world-class wine region. The groundbreaking in September of a 40,000-squarefoot building celebrates a great milestone for WSU and the state's wine industry, Ted Baseler, chief executive officer of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and a WSU Regent, said during the ceremony. "Every great wine region in the world has a signature institution that supports the wine industry with research, and now we do, too." The $23-million center will include a research and teaching winery, research laboratories, classrooms, conference rooms, and a regional and international wine library. Lydig Construction, Inc. and ALSC Architects of pokane are designing and building the project. S C onstruction is expected to be completed by early 2015. The vision to become a premium wine region began years ago, Baseler told the crowd of about 200 growers, winemakers, and university, state, and local officials. "It began in the 1960s when Drs. Walter Clore and Chas Nagel convinced pioneering growers that they could grow world-class wines in Washington," he said. "And those old guys were right." First AVA Washington's first American Viticultural Area, the Yakima Valley, was approved in 1983, said Steve Warner, head of the Washington Wine Commission. Since then, 12 more appellations have been designated in the state. Some 350 growers produce grapes for about 800 wineries bonded in the state, according to Warner. He said that based on 2011 data, the wine industry contributes $8.6 billion to the state's economy. The Wine Commission projects that the economic impact will triple to $25 billion by 2020. The Wine Science Center, a result of the Wine Commission and the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers coming together, will help the state's wine industry reach its potential, Warner added. WSU's Viticulture and Enology Program has grown to 33 faculty involved in teaching, research, and extension activities, a number similar in size to the wine program at the University of California, Davis, according to Dr. Thomas Henick-Kling, program director. WSU Products & Solutions for Agricultural Safety Chemical Protective Suit • Chemical Gloves • Full-Face Respirator • Half-Face Respirator • Chemical Splash Goggles • Chemical Resistant Boots • Disposable and Reusable Suits Available Safety First: Follow chemical manufacturer's guidelines for decontaminating the spray suite. Do not use suit if there are cuts, holes, tears, missing snaps, or separated seams. Add a Cooling-Vest on hot days as a heat stress precaution www.oxarc.com Washington - Idaho - Oregon - Shop Online 1-800-765-9055 32 NOVEMBER 2013 Good Fruit Grower www.goodfruit.com

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