We work on behalf of the state of Washington and its wineries and growers.
The mission of the Washington State Wine Commission is to raise awareness and demand for Washington State wine through marketing and education, while supporting viticulture and enology research to drive industry growth.
Our Mission
We are a state government agency that represents all licensed wineries and grape growers in the entire state. It’s our mission, purpose, and promise to support every winery and wine grape farmer in Washington by raising awareness and demand of Washington wine. Below is more information about who we are, how we’re structured, and what we work towards.
Our Vision
Our vision is simple: to be recognized as the world’s most exciting wine region, and inspire the world to experience Washington State Wine. We hope this site will inspire you to go explore what our grape state has to offer, and that you’ll reach out should have any questions. We can’t wait to hear where you go and what you discover.
Core Beliefs
We believe the culture of the Pacific Northwest is unrivaled in the world, with an energy that is palpable. Our wine industry stands proudly beside global icons that define and embody quality, innovation, and generosity. We believe it is our responsibility to foster a diverse and inclusive industry to ensure Washington Wine is healthy, viable and truly accessible for generations to come.
We believe the camaraderie of the Washington Wine community creates a force that is greater than any of us could accomplish alone. Together, we embrace our youthful underdog status and share our wines and our message with a common vision. We believe this land, with its abundant natural beauty and rich geological history, create the perfect climate for wine that can’t be replicated anywhere else.
We believe in pushing boundaries, experimenting, and continuously learning. We aren’t bound by convention. We believe that we produce some of the most captivating and irresistible wines in the world, and we also believe our best is yet to come. Our sense of adventure drives us to keep seeking it.
We believe in conducting world-class Research based on priorities set by the dedicated and unified people who have made Washington terroir their life’s work. We believe we are making history. And we believe in inspiring the world to experience what words alone can’t describe, with humility, professionalism, and always with a smile that reflects the spirit of Washington State Wine.
So happy to be connected with WA Wine. The organization is an icon in our community and the people within it make it what it is.—Molly Brooks, Wine Buyer at Meritage Wine Market, San Diego, CA
The Commission
The Washington State Wine Commission represents every licensed winery and every wine grape grower in Washington State. Guided by an appointed board, the Commission provides a marketing platform to raise positive awareness of the Washington State wine industry and generate greater demand for its wines. Funded almost entirely by the industry—through assessments based on grape ($12/ton) and wine sales (< 2 cents/bottle)—the Commission is a state government agency, established by the legislature in 1987. Learn more about the annual grape assessment here.
Our Board Structure
The Commission was constituted under the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and is governed by an appointed board of commissioners. Our Board is made up of 13 members that represent the industry, from large to small wineries and growers, to those on the east and west of the state. The Washington Winegrowers Association nominates the grower seats to the WSDA, and the Washington Wine Institute nominates producer seats to WSDA. Each Board Member is appointed for 3-year term by the head of the Department of Agriculture. See more about our Board here.
What do we (not) do?
Our primary goal is to help drive the growth of Washington’s wine industry. We raise awareness and demand for Washington Wine through marketing, communications, research, and education, on local, national, and international levels (to note: our International Program is funded by USDA Grants, not by the industry assessments). We also achieve this through our industry-driven Research Program and WSU Wine Science Center, which is located in the heart of Washington wine country, and represents the industry’s focus on its future. Some of the things that we do not do include lobbying, regulatory activities (WSLCB, TTB, EPA et al), broker distribution deals, operational consulting, or sell wine.
Board Meetings
Attend the Washington State Wine Commission’s board meetings throughout the year to stay up to date on current issues relevant to the state’s wine industry, ongoing events and campaigns, and the organization’s broader strategies. Per the Open Public Meetings Act, anyone is welcome to join this meeting. Washington wineries and vineyards are encouraged to attend, since board meetings are a great way to stay abreast of current programs and ways that they can benefit from Washington Wine’s marketing, communication, and research & efforts.
