Washington Growers Push 95% Purity

Bill would tighten rules for grape content by state and AVA
 
Olympia, Wash. -- Washington state growers Wednesday spoke in favor of stricter rules governing the content of wines billed as Washington products. Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers chair Brenton Roy of Oasis Farms (Prosser) and WAWGG director Todd Newhouse of Upland Vineyards (Outlook) testified on behalf of the association at the afternoon meeting.

Roy and Newhouse were traveling and unavailable for comment prior to the presentation, part of a public hearing regarding the bill hosted by the state legislature's Commerce and Labor committee.

WAWGG and the Washington Wine Institute are backing the bill, which received first reading by state lawmakers Jan. 29, 2009. The bill seeks to require that Washington wines be made 95% from Washington-grown grapes. Wines bearing labels referencing a specific viticultural area would have to be made 95% from grapes grown within the designated American Viticultural Area.

The rule would also cover wines from AVAs that cross state lines, such as the Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley and Columbia Gorge AVAs, which include both Washington and Oregon vineyards. No less than 95% of grapes used for these wines must be from the AVA the label identifies.

Neighbors have higher standard

Washington currently requires that its wines be made 75% from Washington grapes, a much lower content requirement than that prescribed in neighboring jurisdictions.

Oregon wines must contain no less than 95% Oregon-grown grape juice, while British Columbia regulations require that B.C.-designated wines be made entirely from B.C. grapes. Wines designated as being from one of five designated geographic areas within the province must be made entirely from B.C. grapes with no less than 95% of the grapes grown within the area of origin named on the label.

Robert Morus, owner of Phelps Creek Vineyards in Hood River, Ore., and president of the Columbia Gorge Winegrowers, said he doesn't believe the proposed new rules would significantly impact members of his association on either side of the Washington-Oregon line. Indeed, Morus said the change in Washington state would bring the state's labeling practice in line with Oregon's content requirements.

The bill, if it becomes law, would take effect 90 days after the adjournment of the current session. The latest possible date for legislation passed in the current session to take effect is July 25, 2009.

The labeling bill tops the list of priorities for WAWGG in 2009, and the initiative didn't spark debate during WAWGG business meetings held during the association's convention earlier this month in Kennewick, Wash.