Washington Wine Institute

08/15/2024

08/14/2024

Thanks to the for having us at the Winemaker's Picnic & Barrel Auction at ! This event brings together Washington wine makers and wine lovers-- always a vibrant crowd! 🥂

#🍷 #🍇

08/08/2024

During busier seasons, wineries may want to seek extra help through volunteers. Under WA law, volunteering is not allowed in a for-profit business. These activities may include but are not limited to event set-up and/or clean-up, bottling, and grape punch down.

For seasonal workers, several factors may increase risk for injury. Wineries that train and prepare seasonal workers can find safety videos, training materials, and sample programs at Seasonal Safety page.

seasons can expose workers to serious injuries like broken bones, cuts and lacerations, amputations, electrocution, chemicals, and head injuries.

08/02/2024

Happy !

WAugust is a 31-day celebration of Washington wine. Find events near you at WAugust.com and be sure to sip and support all month long.

Is Back!!!
The 31- day state-wide celebration of brings the fun! Whether you’re dining on the patio, at your local restaurant, shopping for in your neighborhood, or sipping rosé in your backyard – there’s no wrong way to . Find events near you at WAugust.com and be sure to sip and support all month long.

07/31/2024

07/30/2024

Reminder! The Annual WSLCB "Be Confident, Be Compliant" educational webinar for wineries is happening tomorrow, July 31.
For more details and to register, click here: https://www.wwi.wine/event/be-confident-be-compliant-webinar-ttb/

07/22/2024

L&I's Wildfire Smoke Rules Update Includes New Air Quality Measurement Method

Recent changes in the way that federal authorities measure air quality have led to similar in L&I’s wildfire smoke rule. In May, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strengthened its standards with a more precise representation of particular matter (PM) 2.5 levels. Subsequently, L&I Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) adjusted its rules to align with these modifications.

Due to these changes, L&I has discontinued using the AQI measurement. Instead, it will now use PM 2.5 levels directly, as this method is more dependable and less likely to be altered in future rule changes.

Follow Washington State Department of Labor & Industries for critical updates and information on wildfire smoke safety.

Requirements, guidance, and resources for employers working in wildfire smoke.

07/12/2024

Questions about your winery? 🍷❓Join us for this informative webinar series to ask your questions anonymously and hear directly from TTB and WSLCB experts!

Registration Page: https://tinyurl.com/33phx2h5
When: July 17, 2024, 9-10 a.m. (TTB), July 31, 2024, 9-10 a.m. (WSLCB)
Where: Virtual on Zoom
Cost: Free for active Washington Wine Institute or Washington Winegrowers members. $50 for non-members.

Register today for the annual Be Confident, Be Compliant webinar series hosted in partnership by the Washington Wine Institute and Washington Winegrowers for an opportunity to hear from these experts on topics including
wine licenses,
record keeping,
what wineries can and can't do with their license,
tax audits,
changes to state and federal rules,
common violations,
and more.
These webinars break down top compliance issues with the goal of making lawful operations easier to understand and implement.

A big thank you to event sponsors Sovos ShipCompliant, Foster Garvey, Banner Bank, and Marsh McLennan Agency.

Hope to see you there!

07/03/2024

Be Confident, Be Compliant: WSLCB and TTB webinars for Washington wineries

The Washington Wine Institute and Washington Winegrowers Association are partnering to make both Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and Alcohol and To***co Tax and Trade Bureau regulatory experts accessible to you. These webinars will break down top compliance issues with the goal of making lawful operations easier to understand and implement! We’ll also review recent legislation and rule changes.

This webinar series is FREE to WWI and Winegrowers members. Non-members may also sign up for $50.

Registration is for both webinars and you only need to register once: www.wwi.wine/event/be-confident-be-compliant-webinar-ttb/

06/29/2024

Mark your calendars! Hear directly from the Alcohol and To***co Tax and Trade Bureau and the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board at the Be Confident, Be Compliant webinars for Washington wineries. These webinars are free to Washington Wine Institute and Washington Winegrowers members.

06/25/2024

See you tomorrow at the Washington Wine Institute 2024 Virtual Membership Meeting, June 26, from 10-12:30. 💻🍷

Speaker spotlight: Analyzing 2024 direct-to-consumer sales data, Cathy Huyghe of Enolytics will highlight Washington wineries' successes compared to other regions and identify areas for improvement. Huyghe will offer actionable strategies for wineries to enhance their performance and achieve a strong finish in the second half of 2024.

Email [email protected] for your Zoom meeting link. Washington Wine Institute membership is required to attend this meeting.

A huge thank you to our sponsors for helping make this event possible.
Sovos ShipCompliant, https://sovos.com/shipcompliant/
Banner Bank, https://www.bannerbank.com/
Foster Garvey, https://www.foster.com/
Gulfstream Shippers Association, https://shipgulfstream.com/
Trysk Print Solutions, https://trysk.com/

06/24/2024

This Wednesday! We hope to see you at our 2024 Virtual Membership Meeting, June 26, from 10-12:30. 💻

Speaker spotlight: During a time of increasing headwinds for the wine sector, Wine Institute is undertaking a significant initiative to develop a new narrative for the wine category for both consumers and policy makers. The focus of the initiative is to engage with younger LDA consumers as well as communicate the positive and unique aspects of wine to government stakeholders. Hear from Wine Institute Vice President, International Marketing Honore Comfort on the efforts to reach consumers and Vice President, Federal & lnt'I Public Policy Charles Jefferson on the policy side of this initiative.

Email [email protected] for your Zoom meeting link. Washington Wine Institute membership is required to attend this meeting.

A huge thank you to our sponsors for helping make this event possible.
Sovos ShipCompliant, https://sovos.com/shipcompliant/
Banner Bank, https://www.bannerbank.com/
Foster Garvey, https://www.foster.com/
Gulfstream Shippers Association, https://shipgulfstream.com/
Trysk Print Solutions, https://trysk.com/

06/23/2024

Join us Wednesday at the Washington Wine Institute 2024 Virtual Membership Meeting, June 26, from 10-12:30. 💻

Speaker spotlight: Michael Kaiser and Tara Good of WineAmerica will focus on some complex topics currently facing the wine industry including nutritional labeling, ingredient labeling and music licensing for your winery and wine events. We will also have the latest on the Farm Bill and USPS shipping.

Email [email protected] for your Zoom meeting link. Washington Wine Institute membership is required to attend this meeting.

A huge thank you to our sponsors for helping make this event possible.
Sovos ShipCompliant, https://sovos.com/shipcompliant/
Banner Bank, https://www.bannerbank.com/
Foster Garvey, https://www.foster.com/
Gulfstream Shippers Association, https://shipgulfstream.com/
Trysk Print Solutions, https://trysk.com/

06/21/2024

Washington Wine Institute 2024 Annual Membership Meeting

Next week! Join us and industry partners including WineAmerica, California Wine Institute, and Enolytics, to hear the latest on direct-to-consumer sales trends, consumer and policy-focused wine messaging, and legislative and regulatory updates impacting your winery.

When: Wednesday, June 26, 2024, 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual on Zoom

Email [email protected] to request a Zoom meeting link. Membership is required to attend.

06/04/2024

Got questions about the new CA CRV labeling process, but don’t know where to begin? The Washington Wine Institute has the answers you need all in one place, now available to members: www.wwi.wine/california-bottle-bill/

Background: Last year, California added wine and spirits bottles to its beverage container recycling program. As of January 1, 2024, every Washington winery that ships wine to CA must register with CalRecycle, file monthly reports, and pay processing fees as wine is shipped into their state. Also, starting July 1, 2025, wine bottle labels for wine sold in CA are required to include CRV, or California Redemption Value.

05/24/2024

WWI at WineAmerica 2024 D.C. Policy Conference

From May 6th-8th the Washington Wine Institute's Executive Director Josh McDonald, Vice President of our Board of Directors and co-owner of Fortuity Cellars Emily Fergestrom, and COO of L'Ecole No 41 Ryan Pennington joined WineAmerica and 45 other wine-producing states for our annual trip to Washington D.C. to meet with our WA Congressional delegation, House and Senate committees' staff and leadership, and federal agencies such as the Alcohol and To***co Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) that make decisions and have regulatory authority over the wine industry. Our WA wine group grew in size and strength with several members of the Washington Winegrowers also flying in to help us speak as one united front for the WA wine industry.

For our three days in D.C. we spent the majority of time lobbying our entire Congressional delegation, TTB, and major players in Congress on several federal issues we are helping lead on for WA wine such as
- The Farm Bill (MAP funding, research funding, specialty crop block grants, and more),
- nutritional and ingredient labeling,
- USPS wine shipping,
- USDA guidelines on safe levels of alcohol consumption,
- and more.
We were the only state to meet with all 12 of our delegation including face-to-face meetings with both our powerful U.S. Senators, Senator Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray. We are hopeful our advocacy efforts made a meaningful difference in getting positive outcomes on all of these critical issues for the WA wine industry!

05/22/2024

Washington Wine Institute members,
We hope to see you at WWI's 2024 Annual Membership Meeting via virtual webinar on June 26! Stay tuned for more details and information on how to RSVP.

04/24/2024

The LCB shares the need-to-knows of the Caterer License in its quarterly newsletter, Topics and Trends. The spring 2024 alcohol edition covers topics including donating alcohol to nonprofits, LCB's legislative session wrap-up, LCB website updates, and more.

"A liquor caterer license allows the licensee to sell spirits, beer, and wine by the individual serving for consumption on the premises of the catered event location. A spirits, beer, and wine caterer licensee must be able to serve at least four different complete meals..."

Ever been to a wedding or formal event and were in awe of the food and drinks? Have you seen the person seemingly lead the staff like a…

04/08/2024

LCB Rules for Wineries: Custom Crush Contracts

The Liquor and Cannabis Board has a new Enforcement Bulletin offering clarification on the rules for wineries producing for other wineries, also referred to as Custom Crush Contracts.

It is important to follow these rules to avoid jeopardizing your license.

Please read the Bulletin and contact your Manufacturer, Importer, and Wholesaler (MIW) Enforcement Officer if you have questions about the requirements or related topics.

04/01/2024

We need your help! Become a member and help WWI become stronger in fighting .05 BAC bills in 2025 and beyond.

The Washington Wine Institute (WWI) worked again in 2024 alongside the Washington Hospitality Association, Brewers Guild, NW Cider Association, GSBA, defense attorneys and more to educate lawmakers on the harms SB 5002/HB 2196 would cause to industries across our state, including wine, restaurants, brewers, distillers, and more. This bill would have lowered the state’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level for driving from .08 to .05. It again failed to receive a vote by the full Senate. While these bills stalled for the 2023 and 2024 sessions, we expect a .05 BAC bill to be considered during the 2025 session. WWI humbly asks all Washington wineries for their support by joining WWI as we continue to get stronger and better equipped to push back as your statewide trade lobbying Association on this and all difficult legislative proposals. Thank you!

Becoming a member is easy at www.wwi.wine/member-signup/

03/26/2024

Questions about your wine pick up event? Washington Wine Institute members now have access to online informational resources, including links to wine licenses and permits, tax reform information for wineries, wastewater and grape hauling resources, and much more: www.wwi.wine/wp-login.php

Visit our License & Permit Accomplishments page for more information on the off-premise private special event permit WWI created in 2015.

Email [email protected] for your member login information.

03/22/2024

Big News for Wineries: Emergency Permit Bill (HB 2204) signed into law

The Washington Wine Institute helped push along the process a "good little bill" this Legislative session, creating temporary retail space sharing for wineries/breweries/distilleries in times of man-made or natural disaster emergencies.

Unfortunately, wildfires and other disaster situations are not slowing down each year, so we hope this new allowance helps our winery communities to better support each other in such difficult times.

03/14/2024

Are you hiring your first employee(s)? Make sure you know your Washington State Department of Labor & Industries requirements, including workers’ compensation insurance, worker safety & health, labor standard, and others:

Find out which L&I business requirements apply to your business.

03/01/2024

Taste Washington Wine Month has commenced!

Whether at events or your local tasting room, month is all about discovering wines you’ve never tried before. So get curious and get tasting.

Discover your new favorite wine and browse events near you at washingtonwine.org/tastewinemonth/

02/27/2024

Washington Wine Institute Associate Member Spotlight: Trysk Print Solutions

"Your bottle deserves a label that is as unique as the beverage you have created. Trysk Print Solutions offers an amazing diversity of label options."

New! Trysk now offers Rustichello hand-woven style paper stock, giving wine labels the look of handmade paper. Contact Rob Griswold at [email protected] for more information.

A label for every bottle Trysk Print Solutions delivers stunning custom print and packaging solutions for all industries. We can handle any box, bag, or bottle, but we specialize in creating labels for wine, beer, and spirits. Label Experts With decades of experience, we’re dedicated to the art of...

02/23/2024

Washington Wine Institute Legislative Update: 0.05 BAC Bill

We are pleased to report that our strong advocacy on behalf of our members and pushback on SB 5002, the .05 BAC bill, alongside the Washington Hospitality Association, Washington Brewers Guild and other stakeholders opposed to the policy, resulted in the bill failing to receive enough support to pass off the Senate floor this session and will not be considered further for 2024. We continue to be vocal that the Legislature should focus on how to combat high BAC drivers and repeat DUI offenders instead of considering an approach that will not get at the problem but instead do extreme damage to our state's wineries, restaurants, brewers, distillers, and more. We will continue to ask the Legislature to work with us towards solutions that make a meaningful impact.

This said, make no mistake, we expect a .05 BAC bill to be introduced in the 2025 session. WWI needs all our members' support as we continue to get stronger and better equipped to push back as your Association. If you have not renewed your 2023-2024 WWI membership dues yet, we would be grateful for your help in getting those paid soon so we can plan on what resources we need to best represent our members next session on a .05 BAC bill as well as all difficult legislative proposals. We also humbly ask for our members to reach out to your network of fellow winery owners/operators to join WWI, helping us become stronger and better equipped for the 2025 legislative session.

For any questions or support with membership needs, including dues, contact our Membership and Programs Manager Marie Schurk at [email protected].

02/22/2024

Washington Wine Institute members have access to a unique employee benefits program. In partnership with the CAMPS Health Trust, members can save up to 15% on their health insurance premiums.
Request a quote today at www.wwihealthtrust.com/

02/14/2024

L&I Education Minute: Starting January, all dairy and agricultural workers are eligible for overtime pay, at least 1.5 times the employee’s regular hourly rate, for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. This is down from 48 hours in 2023 and is the last step of a multi-year adjustment that began when the legislature expanded overtime protections to agricultural workers. Overtime eligibility applies to all seasonal vineyard workers. To view frequently asked questions regarding agricultural overtime requirements, visit lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/wages/overtime/. For more pay updates in 2024, visit lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/wages/minimum-wage/.

Follow Washington State Department of Labor & Industries to keep up to date on the latest requirements and resources.

Most employees in Washington who work more than 40 hours per week are required to receive overtime pay. Learn more about overtime pay requirements

02/09/2024

"Lafitte Cork & Capsule has built an impressive reputation in the wine packaging industry by delivering the highest quality natural cork closures and capsules for over a century. At Lafitte USA, we take immense pride in offering the best service platform in North America."

Contact Pete McAfee at [email protected]

02/07/2024

LCB Adopts MAST 13 Allowances

Effective March 2, wineries may allow 18-20 year old MAST holding employees to pour wine and beer away from the table and similar additional allowances for wineries during Covid-era operations after the Washington Wine Institute filed the CR 101 with the LCB one year ago and worked alongside WWI members to advocate for this change: http://tinyurl.com/34nnccms