Washington Wine Institute

02/19/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us for another productive Hill Climb.

⚖️Big day in Olympia yesterday!

Members of the board of the met with Washington State legislators to ask for their support for important pieces of legislation like developing a more sustainable tourism funding model, an industry-friendly bottle deposit program and more modern alcohol allowances, as well as asking for their opposition to a bill that would change the BAC from 0.08 to 0.05.

It was heartening to hear legislators express their strong support of our state’s wineries, recognizing the contributions we make to our local communities and economies.

It’s an honor for me to sit on the board of the Institute and represent on these important policy matters.

If you are also a supporter of the , hospitality and tourism industries, be sure to stay engaged on these critical issues, particularly the proposed BAC changes. We all want safer roads, but we also want smart policies that will actually solve the problem of repeat DUI offenders and those driving recklessly and at high BAC (

02/10/2025

US Tariffs on Canada and Mexico

The recently announced US government tariffs targeting a variety of products imported from Canada and Mexico swiftly created a threatening response from both countries detailing their retaliatory measures including significant harm to Washington wine’s marketplace and access to many of Canada’s provinces. We are glad to see, even if just temporary for now, these tariffs were put on a 30-day hold so Canada and Mexico can negotiate with the US on ways to work together to appease the US’s border security and other concerns.

The Washington Wine Institute went to work immediately contacting our industry partners and creating a plan for how we can be of most help to our members. Our place in this effort is to protect Washington wine by rallying our entire Washington Congressional delegation and asking them to help by pushing back against the implementation of these tariffs whenever possible. We hold relationships with our US Senate and House offices to reach in to each one and educate them on the immense harm these tariffs may have on their wine industry if fully implemented. We will keep at it while hoping leaders of all three countries can find agreements that will put to an end any talks of tariffs against Canada or Mexico.

02/07/2025

L&I Heat and Wildfire Safety for WA Wineries webinar

Get the most updated information on heat and wildfire smoke safety requirements that keep your workers protected and healthy. This webinar will provide an in-depth review of the new Washington State Department of Labor & Industries heat safety requirements, methods for determining the current air quality index, resources for training employees and building your Accident Prevention Program, and more.

RSVP here: form.jotform.com/250336977293164
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. PST
Where: Virtual via Zoom webinar

01/24/2025

LCB Topics and Trends: Expanded Online LCB Services Set to Launch Mar. 31, 2025

The next expansion of LCB's online services portal is on track for a Mar. 31 launch. The change will allow most of LCB's licensing services to be accessed online. The result will be a faster, more streamlined way to complete business transactions like applications, payments, requesting changes, and to access other LCB programs and services. Learn more about the new services portal and details on accessing it.

The next expansion of LCB’s online services portal is on track for a Mar. 31 launch.

01/18/2025

Washington Wine Institute Legislative Session Update: Week One Recap

The Senate wasted no time in setting a hearing on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, the second day of the 105-day legislative session, for SB 5067 the legislative proposal to reduce our state's allowed BAC from .08 to .05. We testified in opposition to the bill alongside our colleagues in the hospitality and craft beer industries and will continue to oppose this draft of the bill that fails to address what data tells us is factual in this debate; high BAC drivers and repeat offenders are the vast majority of DUI-related fatalities and tackling this problem has a much higher chance of making a meaningful impact on the safety of Washington roads. The proponents continue to ignore the data from Utah sadly showing their .05 law is not working; since 2020 Utah has seen a dramatic increase in DUI-related traffic fatalities.

Regardless, we will continue to push for fact-based, data-driven discussions with our legislative leaders asking for a better outcome than what the bill will ultimately fail to provide. Thank you to all WWI members who signed in con on the bill for this week's hearing; we will continue to ask for your help and support as this policy discussion continues along in the legislative process.

01/13/2025

2025 Legislative Session Begins Monday, January 13th

The 2025 Legislative Session begins today and is already off to an incredibly intense speed. Democrats continue to hold the majority in both the House and Senate as well as the Governor's office. The 2025 Session will be a long, 105 days of the Governor, Senate, and House debating and passing all three of Washington State’s budgets (operating, capital, transportation) as well as many policy bills as both legislative bodies can find a majority of votes to pass. Washington Wine Institute’s priorities for this session include:

Opposing efforts to change our state’s BAC threshold from .08 to .05
Opposing any attempts to raise state wine excise taxes as a mechanism to fix our state’s multi-billion-dollar budget deficit
Supporting a deposit return system for wine glass bottles if state leaders decide to adopt some version of an extended producer responsibility (EPR) overhauling Washington State’s solid waste and recycling system and infrastructure by putting the cost and responsibility of product packaging on “producers” vs. our existing solid waste and recycling system
Supporting any opportunities to modernize our alcohol laws through legislation that provides wineries with more opportunities to market and sell their wine in our state

01/11/2025

SPECIAL PERMIT REMINDER: After months of advocacy for our members pushing on the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) to reconsider how wineries can market these types of events, the Washington Wine Institute received notice that the LCB agreed moving forward they are going to allow public marketing through social media or other online platforms (like your website) for events a winery holds under the special winery permit.

A special permit allows licensees to be present at a private event not open to the general public at a specific place and date for the purpose of tasting and selling product of its own production for on-premises and off-premises consumption. Licensees can advertise these events as long as there is clear messaging that these events are not open to the public. Download the updated application here: https://washingtonwineinstitute.wildapricot.org/resources/LIQ-1263-Application-for-special-permit-winery-or-distillery.doc

Special Permit Parameters:
- The application and fee must be submitted to the board at least ten days prior to each event.
- The special permit must be posted at the event.
- The special permit holder is limited to twelve events per calendar year.

01/03/2025

COMING IN 2025! Starting January 1, 2025, the minimum wage in Washington State will be set at $16.66. Employers are required to compensate employees with this minimum wage for all hours worked, which includes time spent on opening and closing the business, mandatory training sessions, and meetings.

Please note that some cities may impose higher minimum wage rates than the statewide standard. In 2025, cities such as Bellingham, Burien, Renton, SeaTac, Seattle, and Tukwila will feature minimum wages that exceed the state’s requirement.

For more information, visit Washington State Department of Labor & Industries

https://lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/wages/minimum-wage/

12/26/2024

Happy Holidays from Washington wine country! 🌨🍇

12/19/2024

On Dec. 18, 2024, during its regularly scheduled meeting the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) took the following action:

Emergency Liquor Permit Rules Finalized

The Board approved final rules to create a new rule section in Chapter 314-38 WAC to implement House Bill 2204 (chapter 91, Laws of 2024), in law as RCW 66.20.010(19), which authorizes the LCB to issue Emergency Liquor Permits to liquor manufacturers when an emergency or road closure prevents them or their customers from accessing the licensed facility. The new rule will be effective Jan. 18, 2025.

More information is available on the LCB Current Rulemaking Activity webpage. If you have any questions regarding this announcement, please contact [email protected].

12/07/2024

WWI Supplier Member Spotlight: Paul Richardson Agency, Inc. and CAMPS Health Trust

Paul Richardson Agency, Insurance for Walla Walla wineries
Paul Richardson Agency is a local, independent insurance agency that provides tailored, personalized insurance coverage for your winery at a price that matches your budget. Experts at Paul Richardson Agency can help you choose the right insurance to cover a range of operations, including

- Blending E & O
- Wine Contamination, Leakage, Oxidation
- Winery Stock Valuation
- Winery & Farm Exposures on One Package Policy

Through a partnership between the Washington Wine Institute and CAMPS Health Trust, Paul Richardson Agency can offer WWI members exclusive access to the area's leading association health plan and save significantly on healthcare premiums. Learn more about healthcare plans and get a quote here: https://www.wwihealthtrust.com/

Why CAMPS? CAMPS Health Trust Health Tip

If you don’t currently offer or are considering offering health insurance to your employees, then this section is for you! For many companies, employee health benefits may feel just out of reach. However with the health trust, companies often find it’s more possible than they previously thought. The pooling power of the program allows small to mid-sized businesses to get high-quality employee benefits for much less money. This is due to the unique model that allows for strength in numbers as an association health plan. Here are some other reasons to consider offering health insurance for your employees.

- Attract & Retain Staff: Amid staffing challenges, emphasizing benefits can serve as a key motivator for employees to choose and remain with your company.
- Vitality in the Workplace: Providing health benefits to employees tends to result in reduced sick leave, sustained positive outlook, and heightened productivity at work.
- Increased Employee Efficiency: Employee benefits can mitigate turnover and the need for extensive employee training, fostering a workforce of proficient and productive employees.
- Tax Benefits: Certain businesses may qualify for tax incentives, such as the "Small Business Health Care Tax Credit," by offering healthcare benefits to their employees.
- Competitive Edge: Better care of your employees translates to better care for your customers. Getting a leg up over the competition starts with getting the best workforce & keeping them happy. Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/586tsf4k

11/18/2024

The Washington Wine Institute is excited to introduce its newest Supplier Member, Vinovae.

Our mini bottles can help you reach these goals:
- Boost wine club memberships
- Re-engage lapsed members (20% average increase)
- Enhance group tasting experiences
- Increase sales with unique wine gifts

Thanks to our patented technology, Vinovae transforms a single bottle of wine into 14 elegant miniatures, each preserving the wine's complete organoleptic qualities. For over 8 years, we've partnered with the wine industry, helping hundreds of wineries expand their reach and connect with more customers at a lower cost. We also offer fully customizable branding options, including personalized labels, tasting boxes, and gift packaging to beautifully showcase your wines.

Website: https://www.vinovae.com/en/
Contact: Ed Schulz / [email protected] / 707.477.2305

11/08/2024

L&I Education Minute: November 14 deadline approaching for small businesses to apply for disaster loans related to excessive summer heat and agricultural shortfalls

Small businesses in 22 of Washington’s 39 counties may apply for disaster loans to help compensate for lost revenues attributable to excessive summer heat’s effects on farming and ranching. The Secretary of Agriculture this summer declared an agricultural disaster, and now small businesses that support farm and ranch businesses may apply for low-interest loans to help compensate for lost business during the disaster period of March 15 through July 21, 2023. The deadline to apply is Nov. 14, 2024.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration, today reminded small nonfarm businesses in 22 Washington counties and neighboring counties in Oregon of the Nov. 14, 2024, deadline to apply...

11/05/2024

The Washington Wine Institute would like to congratulate supplier member Vintners Logistics, the Northwest's premier wine logistics company, on 17 years in business! Vintners Logistics LLC has you covered during grape harvest season with its temperature-controlled, licensed, and bonded food-grade warehousing and transportation.

10/29/2024

The Washington Winegrowers Association, Washington State Wine Commission and Washington Wine Institute are working together on an industry-wide acreage report.

10/23/2024

A New Benefit for Your Winery! Tracking for Failed Delivery Attempts

Enjoy new tracking features along with significant shipping savings through FedEx Advantage®. Washington Wine Institute Advantage members can now see picture proof of delivery attempt when a FedEx driver attempts delivery of a wine shipment(s), but couldn’t release the package due to an adult signature. Photos will appear on the FedEx tracking page (including in the FedEx app), where recipients will also see options to get their package on the next attempt.

For WWI members, they’ll see why their delivery wasn’t completed – plus options for picking up their package elsewhere. The new service will help reduce delivery disputes when verifying a delivery attempt was made. 📦☑

Take advantage of shipping discounts (see below) and tracking features by clicking here: https://www.wwi.wine/fedex-benefits/
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WWI Member Discounts
53% off Select FedEx Express® U.S. services
65% off Select FedEx Express international services
32% off Select FedEx Ground® services
24% off Select FedEx Home Delivery® services

Additional Savings
67% on the Adult Signature Required (ASR) Fee with your Washington Wine Institute membership
25% off residential delivery fee and FedEx home delivery fee (NEW!)
2% on FedEx Express and FedEx Ground shipments if you average more than $20,000 in annual shipping with FedEx.
20% on FedEx international shipments when you average more than $25,000 in annual shipping with FedEx.

10/11/2024

L&I Education Minute: 2025 Minimum Wage Increase Announced

Minimum wage is adjusted annually based on the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). On Sept. 30, L&I announced the minimum wage increase for 2025. With a $0.38 increase, the minimum wage will be $16.66/hour beginning Jan. 1, 2025.

Many regions throughout the state, especially in King County, have a higher regional minimum wage. Wherever there is a variance, the more generous minimum wage must apply. There are currently five regional variances, with more coming in 2025. Check out the Minimum Wage section of the Small Business Guide as a useful tool for regional variances.

10/10/2024

THANK YOU to the Glass Packaging Institute for inviting the to their membership meeting in Lodi, CA. Glass packaging options are paramount to the wine industry, and this meeting was an opportunity for us to address challenges and discuss ways we can work together to connect WA wineries with domestic glass makers. We look forward to teaming up! 🍾

During GPI's membership meeting, we toured the beautiful in Lodi, CA. We enjoyed learning more about their history, winemaking process, and the harvest season in California.

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