Washington State University and the Washington Wine Commission are co-sponsoring events to provide information on how research is benefiting the wine industry. The first of two events will be help March 30 at Lake Chelan.

Here’s the release put out by the Wine Commission:

 

SEATTLE (March 16, 2018) – Washington State wine grape growers and wineries have several upcoming opportunities to learn about the latest industry supported viticulture and enology research. Registration is open for the day-long Washington Advancements in Viticulture and Enology (WAVE) seminar and the half-day WAVEx session scheduled for Lake Chelan. The WAVE seminars are sponsored by the Washington State Wine Commission and Washington State University.

• WAVEx-Lake Chelan – March 30, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tsillan Cellars, Chelan
The Lake Chelan Wine Alliance is teaming up with WSU and the Wine Commission to bring WAVEx to north central Washington. The morning program, designed for growers, will share recent research on grape powdery mildew resistance and new sprayer technologies, with the goal of helping growers optimize their fungal spray programs. The afternoon session “Dealing with Funky Fruit” will share practical winemaking information to help wineries coax the best out of their fruit. Two pesticide recertification credits for the grower session and two for the winery component will be offered by the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

Dr. Michelle Moyer, WSU statewide viticulture specialist, will discuss the powdery mildew challenges of the 2017 season and share what growers can do to improve their mildew control this season. Gwen Hoheisel, WSU regional grape, berry and hops specialist, will share spray application tips to help growers keep every drop on the crop and findings from her research assessing new sprayer technologies under Washington State conditions. Registration cost of $25 includes lunch and meeting handouts. Pre-registration is required. Registration closes March 23, 2018. Register here.

• WAVE – April 4, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Clore Center, Prosser
WAVE, Washington’s signature research event, will feature in-depth viticulture and enology research findings. Vineyard research topics include an assessment of new sprayer technologies, fine-tuning irrigation strategies for white wine grape varieties, and managing vineyard salinity issues. Winery topics are managing wine spoilage in the cellar, the latest findings about smoke taint, and understanding red wine astringency. WAVE includes lunch and a wine social hour. Pre-registration is required. Register here.

The goal of WAVE is to raise awareness about the value of research among grape growers and wineries. The research seminars have become a valuable venue to discuss current and future research and bring scientists and industry members together.

Washington’s wine industry driven and guided viticulture and enology research program has resulted in game changing outcomes that have helped growers reduce pesticide and fungicide usage, conserve irrigation water and improve overall wine quality. Nearly 25 percent of the Wine Commission’s almost $6 million budget is spent on research, an amount that includes the industry’s payment of its $7.4 million commitment to help build the Wine Science Center at WSU’s Richland campus.