November 13, 2026

Washington State Wine Commission

The Washington State Wine Commission has been awarded a $249,000 Specialty Crop Block Grant to expand its Road Trip Washington Wine education program aimed at increasing domestic wine sales.

The three-year grant, funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and administered by the state Department of Agriculture, will support educational visits for more than 60 wine industry professionals from across the country, including buyers and decision-makers from restaurants and retail outlets.

The immersive program brings wine trade professionals to Washington vineyards and wineries to learn about the state's wine regions, producers and products firsthand. The commission said the effort is designed to strengthen awareness of Washington wines and encourage sales through recommendations from influential industry professionals.

“Research shows that 80 percent of wine sales are influenced by recommendations from a trusted source,” said Kristina Kelley, executive director of the Washington State Wine Commission. “By bringing influential wine professionals directly to our state, we are creating meaningful connections that translate into greater awareness, stronger advocacy, and ultimately more sales of Washington wine.”

The grant-funded program began last month and is part of the commission's strategy to secure alternative funding sources while supporting long-term growth for Washington's wine industry.