FROM OLYMPIA BUSINESS WATCH...
Washington wine is aging just fine. Earlier this week, the Washington State Wine Commission reported the results of a new economic impact study of the Washington wine industry which is the most comprehensive ever produced. It contains good news--very good news.
Washington wine is now an $8.6 billion annual business and across the nation, it is a $14.9 billion annual industry. These findings represent a substantial increase from a similar study conducted in 2007 that valued the industry at $3 billion in-state and $4.7 billion nationally.
Since 2005, the number of licensed wineries in Washington State has more than doubled from 360 to now well over 700. The state has also added more than 13,000 acres of vineyards during this time – from just over 30,000 acres (12,000 hectares) in 2005 to more than 43,000 acres (17,000 hectares) today.
