The Washington State wine industry continues to grow while funds supporting viticulture and enology research dwindle, creating a widening research gap. In recent years, about $350,000 to $450,000 has been spent annually on viticulture and enology research in Washington State. Research is funded through the state wine sales tax (of which 1/4 cent per liter—equivalent to just under 1 cent per gallon—goes to Washington State University for wine and grape research) and from a legislative mandate or line item in WSU’s budget. The line item amount, originally $525,000 per biennium, has eroded through the years, along with WSU’s overall budget, […]