According the Washington State Wine Commission, Washington state received $236.2 million in wine grape revenues and $2.4 billion in direct and secondary wine-related revenues. Further, the wine industry brought in $4.8 billion in business revenues and $61.9 million in state taxes.
What is the labor involved in the Washington state wine industry? According to the Washington State Wine Commission, in 2013 the wine industry employed 2,790 workers in vineyards and 3,260 workers in wineries ("Economic Impact Study").
Supporting the Washington Wine Industry
The State of Washington plays a major role in advocating for the state's wine industry. The Washington State Wine Commission is an industry-funded government agency that works to promote Washington Wines. Their mission statement reads:
On behalf of the state of Washington and its wineries and growers, the mission of the Washington State Wine Commission is to raise awareness and demand for Washington State wine through marketing and education, while supporting viticulture and enology research to drive industry growth.
Further, the Washington Wine Commission funds statewide wine research, along with funds from state sales taxes. Washington State University also contributes funds to wine research, and houses two wine research centers in Eastern Washington.
Read about this history of denomination of origin here. Read about the Columbia Valley AVA here.
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