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Wine Grape Establishment and Production Costs in Washington,
2003 |
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 Copy
of EB1955 in pdf format
may be downloaded here. |
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The
Washington wine grape growing/producing sector is one of the fastest
growing industries in the state. Since overtaking New York as the
second largest wine producer in 1998, Washington wine acreage has
increased from 16,820 total acres to 28,000 in 2002, and there are
still intentions to plant even more vinifera wine grapes. In comparing
July 1999 with January 2002, the bearing acreage for white varieties
has increased 21%, while the red varieties’ bearing acreage
has increased 74%. Chardonnay continues to be the leading white variety,
with Cabernet Sauvignon slightly edging Merlot as the most popular
red variety. |
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Since
1997, wine grape production in Washington has nearly doubled from
62,000 tons to a record high 115,000 tons in 2002. The average price
received by growers during 2002 was $878 per ton, down slightly from
the previous year. With the increase in wine grape acreage, record
high production can continue to be expected in the next few years. |
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This
study was done to assess the economic costs and profitability of establishing
and producing a vineyard based on 2002 prices and current managing
and growing practices. The primary objective of this study is to estimate
the establishment and production costs of the major red and white
varieties grown in Washington, Merlot and Chardonnay. To estimate
the economic costs of establishment and production for this study
it is necessary to:
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Specify the practices commonly followed in Washington to establish
and maintain a 55-acre vineyard.
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Estimate the costs of those practices and compare them with possible
levels of receipts to establish profitability.
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*Trent
Ball is an Associate in Research, working with Dr.
Ray Folwell, on the wine and asparagus industry research. |
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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 acting as Interim Coordinator of the Viticulture
and Enology Program. As acting coordinator his 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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