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Summary
of Ray Folwell's* Wine Industry Research |
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 Copy
of summary in pdf format. |
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In
January 1969 there was a meeting of scientists from the Department
of Agricultural & Resource Economics (AgEcon), Horticulture &
Landscape Architecture (Hort), and from what is now the Department
of Food Science and Human Nutrition (FS). At this meeting it was decided
to develop an interdisciplinary research project among the three departments.
The scientists involved included Walt Clore (Hort), Chas Nagel (FS),
and Ray Folwell (AREC). The main thrust of the project was to determine
the viticulture, enology, and economic feasibility of fostering the
development of a wine/grape industry in Washington. |
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The
initial thrust of the work in the Department of Agricultural &
Resource Economics concerned the potential market growth for table
wines. During this time period of 1968 through 1972 there was phenomenal
growth in wine sales in the United States ranging up to 14% annually.
Research done at the Department of Agricultural Economics indicated
that a moderate growth rate was to be expected and could provide an
opportunity for the Washington wine industry to grow. The additional
work consisted of looking at the cost of production, consumption trends
by type of wine, operating and investment costs in wineries, and the
possible impact on the state's economy. |
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The
landmark study that was conducted by the Department of Agricultural
Economics in wine research was the only nationwide market survey concerning
the marketing and consumption of wines in the United States at that
time. The research work has expanded to include the economics of establishing
and operating wine/grape vineyards, the production and marketing risks
of producing wine grapes in a cold climate, the investment and operating
costs in various size wineries, |
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the
economic impact of the wine/grape industry on the state's economy,
and many other aspects. These other areas include looking at the production
risks associated with cold climate production of wine grapes with
and without the presence of Phylloxera, the economics of tasting rooms,
the marketing channels involved in selling wines to wholesalers, restaurants,
and retailers, retail shelf management, salary and wage surveys, and
a needs assessment for viticultural and enology education programs.
Current research efforts concern the projected market structure of
the wine grape industry in the United States, and looking at the overall
structure and organization of the industry in the future. |
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*Dr.
Ray Fowell is a professor at Washington State University. He is
involved in research for viticultural, enological, and economic aspects
of wine grape production in Washington, specifically focusing on analyzing
the production and marketing risk in producing various varieties of
vinifera grapes in Washington research. |
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Dr.
Folwell is currently the Interim Associate Dean for Academic Programs
in the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.
Bill Hendricks, Horticulture,
is the Coordinator of the Viticulture and Enology Program. As acting
coordinator he is involved in directing the Viticulture
and Enology Education Consortium, which includes WSU, Columbia
Basin College, Walla Walla Community College, Wenatchee Valley Community
College, Yakima Valley College and the Washington Wine Commission.
The purpose of the Education Consortium is to better serve the growing
needs of the Washington wine industry. One method to meet the growing
needs is with the development of the new Viticulture and Enology
degree option at Washington State University.
For
more indepth information see the new viticulture and Enology site
at http://www.wineducation.wsu.edu/. |
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