Washington Wine Fun Facts 2013

Every year, The Washington Wine Commission releases fun facts about Washington wine at Taste Washington, and we thought it would be fun to compare this year to previous years:

FACT: Washington state is the second-largest premium wine producer in the United States (after California).

  • YES in 2011, 2012 and 2013

FACT: There are 750 wineries in Washington state and 350+ grape growers.

  • In 2012, there were 730 wineries & 350+ grape growers.
  • In 2011, there were 700+ wineries & 350+ grape growers.

FACT: More than 30 varietals are produced in Washington state.

  • The same was true in 2012. In 2011, more than 60
  • Editor’s note: Interesting reversal!

FACT: The leading white varietals produced in Washington state are Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Viognier, Semillon and Chenin Blanc.

  • YES in 2011, 2012 and 2013

FACT: The leading red varietals produced in Washington state are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cab Francv and Malbec.

  • In 2011 and 2012, three additional leading red varietals were listed: Sangiovese, Pinot Noir and Lemberger.

FACT: The ratio of white-to-red wine is 50.3% white to 49.7% red.

  • In 2012, the ratio was 55% white to 45% red.
  • In 2011, the ratio was 54% white to 46% red.
  • Editor’s note: Very noteworthy to see how the ratio has evened out over the years.

Additional information in 2013:

  • Wine Production: 12 million cases
  • Record Harvest: 2012 with 188,000 tons
  • Estimated winery sales: $437.64 million
  • Estimated retail & restaurant sales: $135.782 million
  • Estimated distributor sales: $37.34 million
  • Full-time equivalent wine-related jobs: 30,000 in Washington state; 70,000 nationwide
  • Wine-related wages paid: $1.5 billion in Washington state; $2.8 billion nationwide
  • Total economic impact on Washington state: $8.6 billion
  • Total economic impact on U.S. economy: $14.9 billion

We hope you enjoyed these factoids as much as we did!
Cheers!

 

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About Margot

Margot has been writing about wine since 1997 at KOIN-TV in Portland, Oregon; ten years later, she created this blog. Write for Wine focuses on the fine wines of Washington state, with additional posts about Oregon, B.C., California, ANZ, France, Italy, Spain and more. A former national journalist in Canada and the U.S., Margot has been a Washington wine enthusiast since moving to Seattle in 1999. Her motto: “It’s wine o’clock somewhere.”