NCW - The Washington Winegrowers Association and nine other regional and
national organizations asked Congress to extend the Wildfire and
Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus
(WHIP+)<https://www.farmers.gov/recover/whip-plus> to help grape
growers and winemakers affected by recent wildfires.
The September letter, addressed to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, asks for immediate relief
and is signed by Washington Winegrowers Association Executive Director
Vicky Scharlau along with the Washington, Oregon and California farm
bureaus, California Association of Grape Growers, California Wine
Institute, Oregon Wine Board, Oregon Winegrowers Association,
Winegrape Growers of America, and WineAmerica.
Wildfires are creating what could be the greatest
natural-disaster-borne economic loss ever suffered by the wine
industry in all three states, the letter stated, noting that
California, Oregon, and Washington are the leading wine-producing
states in the nation. On average, 7,300 wine grape growers in all
three states produce a crop valued at $4.5 billion per year.
In addition to devastating fires, the wine and grape industries
contend with the damage smoke exposure may cause winegrapes. Chemical
compounds in smoke can release unpleasant ash-like flavors in wine as
it ages. Consequently, some wineries are reluctant to accept
smoke-exposed grapes.
"Without a market, these grape growers are forced to abandon their
fruit in the vineyard. In other instances, buyers have agreed to
purchase grapes at a discount but could later face unanticipated costs
to test and treat wine made from smoke-exposed fruit," the letter
stated, adding that without assistance from the federal government,
"many of our members will confront unprecedented economic
uncertainty."
The letter noted little is currently known about the full impact of
smoke on grapes and growers may not realize the full extent of their
losses for another year or more. "We sincerely appreciate your active
leadership and continued interest in assisting wine grape growers and
winemakers in overcoming the devastation caused by this year's
wildfires," the letter closed. The full letter can be read
here<https://www.wawinegrowers.org/resource/resmgr/smoke/WEST_COAST_WHIP_DISASTER_ASS.pdf>.
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