SEATTLE (December 16, 2022)—The Washington Wine Specialty License Plate has been finalized, and is now available for order through the Washington State Department of Licensing.
Washington lawmakers passed House Bill 1530 this past spring to create the specialty license plate, after more than 4,000 Washingtonians signed a petition in support. The Washington Wine Institute, in partnership with the Washington State Wine Commission (WSWC), worked directly with prime sponsor Rep. Kelly Chambers (R-Puyallup), and lawmakers in Olympia to pass the legislation. The WSWC worked with its agency of record Chapter & Verse to design the plate, utilizing a photograph taken by Andréa Johnson.
“It is thrilling for me to see something I started from scratch turn into a product thousands of Washingtonians will enjoy,” said Rep. Kelly Chambers. “This plate elevates Washington’s world class wine industry to a new level where Washington Wine enthusiasts can now show their pride in a more visual way.”
Revenue generated from the specialty license plate will go to State of Washington Tourism (SWT), the state’s official Destination Marketing Organization. SWT is a membership-based nonprofit organization that was established after the closure of the Washington State Tourism Office in 2011 to support the broader tourism economy.
“We are honored to have helped pass this legislation, and excited to see thousands of Washington wine supporters showing their love of our industry through this license plate,” said Josh McDonald, Executive Director of the Washington Wine Institute. “And, revenue goes directly to tourism, which is a critical investment towards our industry’s future success.”
The Washington wine industry accounts for $8B of in-state economic impact including nearly 42,000 related jobs. In 2021, an estimated 2 million people visited wineries across the state.
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About the Washington Wine Institute:
WWI is the vocal, active, visible advocate and champion of the Washington State wine industry in Olympia and Washington D.C. To propel the industry’s growth, the Washington State Wine Institute acts as the unified voice to seek out and encourage opportunities which enhance the business environment for the Washington State wine industry through proactive government relations in Olympia and Washington, D.C. www.wwi.wine.
About the Washington State Wine Commission:
The Washington State Wine Commission (WSWC) represents every licensed winery and wine grape grower in Washington State. Guided by an appointed board, WSWC provides a marketing platform to raise positive awareness about the Washington wine industry and generate greater demand for its wines. Funded almost entirely by the industry through assessments based on grape and wine sales, WSWC is a state government agency, established by the legislature in 1987. To learn more, visit www.washingtonwine.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Josh McDonald, Washington Wine Institute
(253) 228-1590 / josh@wwi.wine
Heather Bradshaw, Washington State Wine Commission
(206) 495-5844 / hbradshaw@washingtonwine.org