The wine grape growing wine production industry is one of the most rapidly growing sectors of the Washington agricultural economy. In 1998, Washington surpassed New York as the second largest wine producing state in the nation. In 1999, representatives from Washington wine grape growers and processors approached Washington State University about the feasibility of creating educational opportunities that would serve the needs of their rapidly growing industry in the areas of viticulture and enology.
A world-class wine industry can only be developed through world-class research and education. The program offers a Bachelor of Science which emphasizes the science of both wine-grape growing and wine making. The program prepares students for leadership roles with carefully chosen internships is some of Washington’s finest wineries and vineyards.
Uses and Purposes
Distributions from this Fund shall be used to create the Endowed Chair of Viticulture and Enology at WSU. The endowed chair shall have the expertise to expand the program’s research and marketing activities, and to achieve the industry’s goals, including reinforcing the industry’s premium wine image in order to expand domestic and international markets for Washington wines. This endowed chair shall be designated to a faculty member who has demonstrated leadership and world-class educational practices in both the classroom and research.