The Business of Wine

 

The Business of Wine is inexorably intertwined with economic development, particularly in rural parts of Washington, Oregon and California.
As wine becomes an increasingly important component of rural economic growth, connecting rural enterprises with those whose financial assistance and acumen can advance the opportunities for entrepreneurism and job creation becomes increasingly important.
 
This site is designed to enhance contacts within the wine industry, and with entrepreneurs interested in it. And a key example of that is Washington Wine Country, the organization headed by Janet Leduc, which is focused on the economic impact of the wine industry on Washington State’s economy. We’re involved on that board.
 
The hundreds who attended the the 7th Annual Wine Country Celebration throughout May and June at an array of participating wineries, and at the Grand Gala Auction on June 20 at the estate of Al DeAtley in Yakima, produced more than $265,000 for Washington Wine Country.
 
The theme for the 2009 event, “Sip and Savor the Local Flavor,” helped focus attendees on Washington’s world class wine growing region, which provides an important opportunity for the state’s economic growth and success.
  
The final event of the celebration, the Grand Gala Auction on June 20, attracted more than 200 people and raised a total of $250,000, including $45,500 from 28 donors in a “Raise the Paddle” auction and $23,000 in sponsorships from 12 different companies.
 
Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen welcomed the crowd at the climactic Grand Gala Auction, noting that “The wine industry is one of the most promising industries that we have in our state. What other industry, with the possible exception of software, has grown so much in so relatively short of a period of time?”
 
In addition to supporting organizations like Washington Wine Country, as well as the statewide industry organization the Washington Wine Commission, Washington’s wine industry has begun to attract considerable media attention.
 
Nothing has been a better example of that than that Seattle-based wine writer Teri Citterman has been awarded recognition as the best wine writer in the West. To get a taste of her intriguing offerings, go to AnUrbanSip.com, her blog for which her tagline is "Wine paired with life...think liquid nudist camp."