Biz Journals
Aug 4, 2017

Washington state produced 270,000 tons of wine grapes last year, a 22 percent increase over 2015 and a record harvest for the state.

All those grapes are contributing to the state’s standing as the second-largest wine-producing region in the U.S.

Chateau Ste. Michelle is the state’s largest wine producer with 14.73 million gallons produced in 2016, according to data from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.

The winery’s president and CEO, Ted Baseler, said since he first joined the business 33 years ago, he’s seen the region grow from three-dozen wineries to more than 900.

Back then, when he talked about Washington wine, people’s first reaction was that he must be talking about Washington, D.C., he said in an exclusive interview with the PSBJ. Today, the state has a reputation of producing outstanding wines. One of the most popular is cabernet sauvignon.

The state’s top producing variety, cabernet sauvignon, made up 26 percent of the total 270,000 tons produced>>>Read entire article on Biz Journals