Washington Wine Grape Growers To Meet In February

The Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers’ (WAWGG) four-day annual convention is an opportunity for the industry to network, check out the latest products and services, and learn how to craft quality across every spectrum of the industry. The 2013 Convention will be held in Kennewick, WA, at the Three Rivers Convention Center, Feb. 5-8. In addition to a two-day trade show featuring up to 180 booths, each day the convention program examines a multitude of topics that ultimately address how to produce quality.

Here’s a sampling:
•“Managing Risks Inside the Winery — Water, Waste, and Safety” offers risk management and environmentally conscious winery operations tools to enhance sustainable winery practices, measure, document, and demonstrate continuous improvements. One year after the introduction of Winerywise (www.winerywise.org), Washington’s online Guide to Sustainable Winery Practices, this session specifically responds to industry interest in a refresher course on best practices for winery water and wastewater use and employee safety.
• A three-part industry short course explores a “Year in the Life of a Grape Vine.” Attendees will learn how to devise a basic management calendar for both the vineyard and winery and what tools exist to help. Following, a more in-depth look will be taken at: 1) water management in the vineyard, and 2) wine quality management prior to the crush pad. This session is intended to provide a greater understanding of the growing season, nature and necessity of water in the vineyard, and certain viticulture techniques that can permanently enhance or detract from wine quality.
•“Immigration Reform and How it’s Driving Mechanization” will begin with an understanding of the impact of the Dream Act, but its main focus will be to explore technology and where it does and doesn’t work. Attendees will hear from a panel of growers and winemakers. Costs and cost savings will be reviewed, and information will be shared about what others are doing internationally.
• In acknowledgment of advances in technology and rapid changes in the science of wine grape growing and the art of wine making, the Poster Session returns. During this session, including a progressive lunch, attendees can learn from research posters and discuss a variety of industry-relevant topics with researchers and students.

For additional information on this event, go to www.wawgg.org.