CWU POISED TO RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR WINE TRADE PROGRAM

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Washington is now the nation's second-largest wine producing state with an annual economic benefit of more than $3 billion. In the last 25 years, the number of wineries in the state has grown from 19 to more than 400.

However, more than 90 percent of Washington's wineries are small, producing less than 5,000 cases annually. Generally, they don't have laboratories or other expertise required to ensure a consistent quality for their product, making them economically vulnerable to chemical or biological "wine faults."

Federal funding could allow Central Washington University to help alleviate such concerns. The university is one step closer to receiving $350,000 in federal funding to begin a "Wine Quality Testing and Education Initiative" -- a comprehensive research, analysis and education program aimed at helping to improve wine quality.

During a visit to the Ellensburg campus today (MONDAY, AUG. 21), U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings announced that the initiative's funding, which is included in the House Labor, Health and Human Services Committee's 2007 appropriations bill, has been approved by the House Appropriations Committee. That spending bill still must be passed by the full House of Representatives and Senate before it can be sent to the White House to be signed into law.

"Central Washington University is well situated to lead the way in wine education and research programs," Hastings says. "Expansion of these educational opportunities at Central will play an important role in ensuring the strength and continued growth of Washington wine."

If federal funding is received, the Wine Quality Testing and Education Initiative will:

• initiate research, involving CWU faculty and students, to determine the most common wine faults in each of the country's five major wine-producing regions (California, New York, Oregon, Texas and Washington);
• equip a Central laboratory to perform chemical analyses for wineries to identify, pinpoint and prevent faults that are particular to their varietals and growing conditions;
• expand awareness training for employees in vineyards, wineries and distribution-, retail- and hospitality-related businesses to understand the chemical and physical nature of wine faults, their sources and causes, and detection protocol; and
• provide advanced training for interpreting laboratory results and how to take corrective actions and establish prevention measures for specific wine faults.

"We are grateful for Congressman Hastings' support for CWU's wine education program," notes CWU President Jerilyn S. McIntyre, "and look forward to using these funds to enhance the work we've already begun to help wine industry professionals learn about and ensure the quality of their wines."