Some may deny climate change but for wine growers in Washington State the consequence of warmer winters has bolstered an already robust wine industry. More varieties and increased acreage converted from orchards to vineyards has moved the value of Washington wine grape production to $252 million and it is projected to increase. Award winning wines and Washington as a wine tourism destination has pushed the value of this agricultural sector to $8.6 billion.
Taking note of increasing drought conditions, Washington’s Yakima Valley farms have put water management practices in place to ensure stable water supplies and maintain healthy rivers to preserve critical fish habitat.
Washington State’s central location equidistant between Asian and European markets makes it easy to export these highly touted wines internationally. Read more in The Puget Sound Business Journal.