Summary of Ray Folwell's* Wine Industry Research
Copy of summary in pdf format.
In January 1969 there was a meeting of scientists from the Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics (AgEcon), Horticulture & Landscape Architecture (Hort), and from what is now the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition (FS). At this meeting it was decided to develop an interdisciplinary research project among the three departments. The scientists involved included Walt Clore (Hort), Chas Nagel (FS), and Ray Folwell (AREC). The main thrust of the project was to determine the viticulture, enology, and economic feasibility of fostering the development of a wine/grape industry in Washington.
The initial thrust of the work in the Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics concerned the potential market growth for table wines. During this time period of 1968 through 1972 there was phenomenal growth in wine sales in the United States ranging up to 14% annually. Research done at the Department of Agricultural Economics indicated that a moderate growth rate was to be expected and could provide an opportunity for the Washington wine industry to grow. The additional work consisted of looking at the cost of production, consumption trends by type of wine, operating and investment costs in wineries, and the possible impact on the state's economy.
The landmark study that was conducted by the Department of Agricultural Economics in wine research was the only nationwide market survey concerning the marketing and consumption of wines in the United States at that time. The research work has expanded to include the economics of establishing and operating wine/grape vineyards, the production and marketing risks of producing wine grapes in a cold climate, the investment and operating costs in various size wineries, the economic impact of the wine/grape industry on the state's economy, and many other aspects. These other areas include looking at the production risks associated with cold climate production of wine grapes with and without the presence of Phylloxera, the economics of tasting rooms, the marketing channels involved in selling wines to wholesalers, restaurants, and retailers, retail shelf management, salary and wage surveys, and a needs assessment for viticultural and enology education programs.
Current research efforts concern the projected market structure of the wine grape industry in the United States, and looking at the overall structure and organization of the industry in the future.
*Dr. Ray Fowell is a professor emeritus at Washington State University. His research involved viticultural, enological, and economic aspects of wine grape production in Washington, specifically focusing on analyzing the production and marketing risk in producing various varieties of vinifera grapes in Washington research. Bill Hendricks, Horticulture, is the Coordinator of the Viticulture and Enology Program. As acting coordinator he is involved in directing the Viticulture and Enology Education Consortium, which includes WSU, Columbia Basin College, Walla Walla Community College, Wenatchee Valley Community College, Yakima Valley College and the Washington Wine Commission. The purpose of the Education Consortium is to better serve the growing needs of the Washington wine industry. One method to meet the growing needs is with the development of the new Viticulture and Enology degree option at Washington State University.
For more indepth information see the new viticulture and Enology site at http://www.wineducation.wsu.edu/.
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