The Washington State Wine Commission represents every licensed winery and every wine grape grower in Washington State. Guided by an appointed board, the Commission provides a marketing platform to raise positive awareness of the Washington State wine industry and generate greater demand for its wines. Funded almost entirely by the industry – through assessments based on grape and wine sales—the Commission is a state government agency, established by the legislature in 1987.
A Rising Tide Floats All Boats
If you’ve spent enough time in Washington Wine Country, you’re bound to hear the phrase: a rising tide floats all boats. That’s because as much as we, the Washington State Wine Commission, represent the wine industry, we do not exist in a vacuum. We are only as strong as our community is wide. We are so proud to partner with our local food, beverage, and hospitality industries because we all have the same common goal: to support our local communities. If there’s anything we learned in 2020, it’s that the only way we’ll ever get through these difficult stretches is the same way we got here: together, one sip at a time. Below, you’ll get to meet a few of our partners.
Alliance of Women in Washington Wine
Working to make the Washington wine industry a leader and example in equality and diversity, the Alliance of Women in Washington Wine is a place where your voice can be heard without judgment, where you can receive support from others in similar situations, and where you can safely ask for advice on how to positively change your working environment or career trajectory. The Alliance of Women in Washington Wine seeks to provide outside educational opportunities, lead tastings and seminars, and share the knowledge we have learned from our combined experiences. It is their ultimate goal to be able to provide scholarships and provide a meaningful and productive mentorship program lead by experienced Washington wine industry professionals & leaders. See more at www.awwawine.org.
Auction of Washington Wines
The Auction of Washington Wines is committed to supporting the growth and awareness of the Washington state wine industry through a series of celebrated events benefiting the community. Since inception, the Auction has raised over $52 million. You can see more info about upcoming events, sponsors and beneficiaries, and so much more at www.AuctionofWaWines.org.
Washington Wine Industry Foundation
The Washington Wine Industry Foundation is a network of industry leaders and wine-lovers who have helped grow the Washington wine industry from the beginning. They identify challenges facing the industry, bring together partners, and facilitate funding to craft sustainable solutions. Since 2002, the Foundation has awarded over $300,000 to higher education in wine-related studies, raised over $180,000 to help the industry build a Washington State certification program, and has been awarded over $2.7 million in grants to develop tools for winemakers and winegrape growers. The Foundation hosts an annual Party + Auction and Wine Cup® Golf Tournament, offers a limited one-of-a-kind Collaboration Series wine, and is home to numerous funds that carry on the legacy of our industry leaders. See more at www.washingtonwinefoundation.org.
Washington Winegrowers Association
The Washington Winegrowers Association envisions a thriving industry—recognized globally—for quality wines and vineyards, supported by exceptional education and leading edge research. Their mission is to serve as the synergistic leader and unifying voice—through advocacy and education—for growers, vintners, partners and policymakers. They strive to bring our vision to reality by hosting top-notch education seminars and events, and by working pro-actively with policymakers, our members and regulators to create an environment where our industry can thrive and grow. See more at www.wawinegrowers.org.
Washington Wine Institute
The Washington Wine Institute is the vocal, active, visible advocate and champion of the Washington wine industry in Olympia and Washington D.C. They achieve this vision through a collaborative approach including partnerships that advance shared industry goals. Every year they work side-by-side with state and federal lawmakers to shape legislative and regulatory policy decisions that impact the Washington wine industry. They strive to protect the industry’s needs, while promoting its tremendous growth, and their work has delivered invaluable results for Washington wineries throughout the years. See more at www.wwi.wine.