US: WSU digs into science to make better wine

(CapitalPress) - Looking to build on its reputation for producing quality wines, Washington is well on its way to establishing a Wine Science Center in Richland.

"Every world-renowned wine region has a research university partnering in its success. In Washington, that's Washington State University," said Ted Baseler, president and CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.

WSU already has an innovative degree program in viticulture and enology, with 30 faculty members working to keep the Pacific Northwest industry environmentally sustainable and economically profitable while producing wines unique to the region. But the industry's demand for research solutions has strained WSU's ability to keep up.

"We have the faculty. We just don't have the facility," said Thomas Henick-Kling, director of WSU's viticulture and enology program.

The Wine Science Center, a $23 million complex -- $17.5 million has been raised already -- will be a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of wine country. Ninety percent of the state's wine production is within one hour's drive, Henick-Kling said.

In 2005, Washington was home to 350 wineries and 30,000 acres of winegrapes. Wineries have now doubled in number, and more than 13,000 acres of vines have been added to supply them.

Henick-Kling said he sees the potential for 200,000 acres, with each grape-growing region producing unique flavors and aromas. "We want wines that taste like Washington wines," he said.

Researchers will focus on finding new sites and determining which varieties to grow there. Terroir -- the variables of geography, geology and climate reflected in the final product -- doesn't just happen, Henick-Kling said.