Washington Winegrowers

08/28/2026

That's a wrap on audits for the 2026 season. Thank you to all participants — new and returning — for an incredible summer! 🍇

We love what we do, and moments like this remind us why. One of our growers put it better than we ever could:

"I don't know if I would quite call an audit 'fun,' but I truly enjoyed the process. We learned a lot and were pleasantly surprised by how much we already had in place going into it."

That's exactly what Sustainable WA is about — a chance to take stock of the work you're already doing and find new opportunities to grow.

Pictured: Lead Auditor Heather Muser, Program Manager Nathanial Helligso, and Washington Winegrowers Board Chair Dustin Tobin out in the vineyard — right where it all happens.

Interested in joining the program for 2027? Learn more at https://sustainablewa.com/

08/26/2026

Who else has joined Kiona Vineyards and Winery in their Fall 2026 Fit recommendations?!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JeCepBmqz/

08/25/2026

One week left to nominate for our board of directors!

Please submit nominations by 5:00 pm Tuesday, September 1, 2026. All nominations are reviewed, with ballots e-mailed to membership in October.

To nominate someone (or even self nominate!): https://forms.gle/E78XnzzkJzkvdj8s8

08/21/2026

USDA grant funding for the Washington State Wine Commission’s international programs is directly tied to the amount Washington wineries are investing in export marketing. Help the Wine Commission demonstrate our industry’s collective investment abroad—and track Washington wine exports.

Fill out the survey here: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8922712/WA-Wine-Annual-Export-Survey-2027-Draft-copy

*All information is kept confidential and will only be used for Washington Wine’s internal planning and to report aggregate industry trends. No individual winery data will be shared without your permission.

08/20/2026

Nominate a fellow industry member for Grower of the Year!

Last year's winner Ryan Flanagan was chosen for his leadership, his openness, his craftsmanship, and his unwavering commitment to quality.

Do you know someone who demonstrates viticultural skills that provide impact in the vineyard and in the bottle?
Nominate them today: https://forms.gle/4mARPqwNJSRWRA7Y7

08/18/2026

Renew Your Membership Today!

We truly appreciate your support and the important role all our members play in strengthening Washington's wine industry. Your membership helps keep you connected to industry news, resources, educational opportunities, and enables advocacy efforts on behalf of the industry.

Renew today!
https://www.wawinegrowers.org/renew-your-membership/

08/14/2026

Nominations are being sought for positions on the Washington Winegrowers Board of Directors. The terms of three board members expire in 2026, and while each incumbent intends to run again, each of their seats is up for election. Additionally, there is one open seat with an expiring term in 2027.

Please submit nominations by 5:00 pm Tuesday, September 1, 2026. All nominations are reviewed, with ballots e-mailed to membership in October.

To learn more and submit a nomination:
https://www.wawinegrowers.org/2026/06/30/winegrowers-2026-board-nominations/

08/13/2026

Washington Winegrowers Association is proud to be part of the Allen Shoup Memorial Fellowship for Writers and Communicators and to help support the next generation of voices telling the story of Washington wine.

The fellowship honors Allen Shoup’s belief that telling Washington’s story starts with experiencing it firsthand. By bringing talented writers and communicators into our vineyards, wineries, and communities, we’re helping ensure that Washington wine continues to earn the attention and recognition it deserves.

Congratulations to Dennis Fraley, recipient of the 2026 fellowship! We’re excited to welcome him to Washington and see how his time in our vineyards and wineries shapes the stories he shares with wine lovers around the world.

“I have spent my working life on the idea that no two people respond to the same glass the same way,” Fraley said. “Washington may be the rare wine region that believes the same about the people drinking it. The state grows everything, insists on no single story, and lets the wine in the glass matter more than any rule about how you are supposed to taste it. That is the story I have been waiting to discover, and I am honored the committee is trusting me to tell it.”

Washington Winegrowers Association is honored to be part of this industry-wide collaboration—and excited for the stories still to come.

Read the full article here: https://www.washingtonwine.org/press_release/washington-wine-industry-announces-recipient-of-allen-shoup-memorial-fellowship/

08/12/2026

Farming on the Brink provides an unfiltered look at the increasing challenges confronting local farming, particularly the rising costs necessary to sustain operations.

This film chronicles the journey of Manuel Imperial, a committed second-generation farmer whose family immigrated from the Philippines over 40 years ago and begin farming in Wapato, Washington. Today, Manuel grapples with preserving his family’s farm in the face of escalating regulations and overwhelming expenses.

Save Family Farming aims to share Manuel’s story, amplify the perspectives of farmworkers across the state, and seek insights from leaders who can shed light on the labor issues in Washington.

This new documentary pulls back the curtain on the rising labor cos...

08/10/2026

Recently, Executive Director Sara Higgins hit the road to visit members, hear firsthand about their successes and challenges, and learn how Winegrowers can better support their needs.

A special thank you to the following members for taking time out of their busy schedules to welcome Sara and share valuable insights:

🍷 John Bookwalter, J. Bookwalter Winery
🍷 Steve Rothwell, Badger Mountain Vineyard (pictured)
🍷 Katii Deaton & Ashley Young, Columbia Label
🍷 Drew Martinez, Martinez & Martinez Winery
🍷 Dan Fulton, Angiolina Farms

We appreciate the opportunity to connect, listen, and learn from our members across the industry. Thank you for your time, hospitality, and partnership!

Sara looks forward to visiting more members in the upcoming months!