The Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers (WAWGG), a grape growers’ industry association, is developing Vinewise.

Organized in 1983, the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers serves the needs of wine grape growers in Washington state. The Association advocates for the wine growing industry by providing promotion, information, representation and education for wine grape growers and helps to maintain the unity of the industry. The most important service to the membership is continuing education for a growing industry focused on premium quality. Membership includes wine grape growers, wineries, researchers and suppliers.

Within WAWGG, a Vinewise committee formed from the existing Technical Committee.  A team of industry experts works on each Vinewise topic, developing the evaluation tools and industry standards. Together, the Vinewise committee is dedicated to creating a comprehensive sustainable practices guide to take the Washington state wine industry into the future.  The WAWGG Vinewise committee is chaired by:

Kevin Corliss
WAWGG Board Member and director of viticulture for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
As Co-chair of the Technical Committee, Corliss’ role is to generate discussion about sustainability within the wine industry. He created the Vinewise drafts, which began the dialogue with growers to set Washington’s best viticulture practices.

Corliss is a key proponent of Vinewise, “WAWGG is focusing on sustainability because it is the right thing to do for the industry, the environment, the world and our grandchildren. We need to think about the future.”

Mike Means
Past Vice-Chairman of WAWGG and vineyard manager for Canoe Ridge Vineyard
Technical Committee Co-chair Means coordinates groups of industry experts to evaluate Washington-based practices, gathering the base knowledge used to establish industry standards. He monitors the process and provides insight and direction to keep Vinewise on track for the industry.

Means believes sustainable viticulture is the key to ensuring the growth of Washington’s wine industry, “As an industry, we need to step up together to ensure that our practices today lay the foundation for the industry of tomorrow. We’re all responsible for the future of this industry.”

The WAWGG Vinewise committee is staffed by:

Vicky Scharlau
Executive Director, WAWGG
As Executive Director, Scharlau manages all aspects of fulfilling the WAWGG mission to ensure wine grape growers have a voice and representation in local, state and national issues, and to provide industry leadership and guidance in viticulture research and education.

Scharlau’s 25+ years of agricultural organization management experience has given her an excellent reputation as a strategist, manager and national agricultural communications expert.