General Production Information

● Washington ranks second behind California in U.S. wine grape production. ● Washington produces 5 % of the nation’s total wine, juice, and table grapes, whether based on tonnage or on acreage (14). ● Wine grapes comprise approximately half of the total grape acreage in Washington, the remainder being juice grapes (14). ● Of approximately 28,000 acres of wine grapes reported in Washington at the beginning of 2002, 24,800 were bearing acres (15). ● 109,750 tons of wine grapes were harvested in 2002 (18). ● Price per ton of wine grapes in Washington averaged $878 in 2002 (14). The retail value of Washington’s wine grapes in 2002 was $725.4 million, with a total economic impact to Washington State estimated at $2.4 billion (18). ● Production costs are approximately $3,773 per acre in established vineyards (full production, five or more years after planting). First-year costs are $6,252, while second-, third-, and fourth-year costs average $2,992, $3,463, and $3,509, respectively. No revenue is realized in the first two years. Revenue averages $2,700 per acre in the third year and $4,320 in the fourth year and beyond, resulting in average net losses of $6,252, $2,992, and $763 in years one through three and an average net return of $811 in year four. Average net returns in year five and beyond are $547 (2). ● There are over 300 wine grape growers and over 240 wineries in Washington State (18)