Growers asked to participate in Washington winegrape acreage survey

Washington’s winegrape and winery industries are requesting grower help to conduct a survey of the state’s winegrape acreage.

The Washington Winegrowers Association, Washington State Wine Commission and the Washington Wine Institute are working together on an industrywide winegrape acreage report.

“This is a crucial step for our industry, and we are asking for your participation,” according to a news release.

Last year, the industry launched an industrywide acreage survey as part of the commission’s annual grape report. Organizers didn’t receive enough responses to assemble a comprehensive report, according to the release. This year, organizers strongly encourage all growers to complete the information. Organizers state all collected data will be reported in aggregate to preserve confidentiality, according to the release.

 

 

“Today’s wine market demands data-driven decisions for immediate and long-term production plans,” according to the release. Comprehensive acreage reports, like Oregon’s and California’s, possess value in many ways. The data can:

• Capture real-time changes in varieties planted and where planted
• Inform business decisions for future planting or replanting
• Illustrate industry trends
• Provide a base for economic data to advocate with state and federal officials
• Help with marketing and promotion
• Help in crop estimation

In the past, the industry has relied heavily on crop estimates on a year-to-year basis. The current evolution of the wine industry in response to a dynamic market and landscape is creating difficulties in accurate forecasting, according to the release.

USDA has completed irregular acreage surveys in the past, but these are very expensive with a turnaround time of 12-18 months. The last USDA acreage survey was in 2017 with no immediate plans for an updated survey as such surveys are required to be funded by the commodity group.

The commission’s grape report, which annually collects tonnage data by grape variety sold, collects comprehensive yearly data. The 2024 report will collect acreage by variety and new to this year, by AVA or American Viticultural Area. The online reporting platform allows every grower to participate in data collection, according to the release.

Each grower will need to update their vineyard profile and completely fill out the grape report, including the new AVA selection for each entry. The commission plans to email growers instructions in late October.