Category: WWI News

For the past two years, Rep. Kelly Chambers (R-Puyallup) who owns a vineyard in the Chelan wine region, has introduced legislation creating a specialty license plate celebrating the Washington wine industry. Revenue generated from purchases of the license plate will go towards statewide tourism-related efforts, and specifically we are pushing for the funding to support marketing our many Washington wine regions.

WWI actively supports Rep. Chambers efforts and will be working with her to get a bill passed during the 2022 legislative session, and we need our members help! Below is a link to the online petition created to gather enough signatures to qualify for serious consideration by the legislature. We need at least 3,500 signatures, and exceeding this goal will certainly show Olympia that the idea has a ton of support and will be a revenue generator for our state.

Please take a moment to sign the petition and share with your wine team. If you are willing, we would also be grateful for members who can share the petition on their social media accounts and/or to their wine club lists. Finally, we are printing some flyers with QR codes directing people to the online peititon for wineries to post in their winery tasting room(s), so if you would like us to send you one or more posters just let us know!

WA Wine License Plate Petition

Governor Inslee announced a statewide mask mandate for all indoor spaces to go into effect Monday, August 23. This mandate includes those vaccinated and unvaccinated. For wineries and tasting rooms, everyone should wear a face covering anytime they are not actively eating or drinking.

Exemptions to the mask requirement are limited to office spaces not easily accessible to the public and small, private indoor gatherings where everyone is vaccinated. 

The Governor also announced a vaccination requirement for employees working in K-12, most childcare and early learning, and higher education.

We will continue to work with our industry partners to provide updates and information to best support you during this time. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can be of help in any way.

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, in partnership with Governor Inslee’s office, state, and local health officials, created a very temporary COVID alcohol incentive allowance to support the on-going public health COVID-19 vaccination effort! Through June 30th, WA wineries, breweries, restaurants, and other liquor licensees can voluntarily choose to participate by hosting a vaccination clinic at your winery and/or satellite tasting rooms or by providing a purchased alcohol-based incentive for a customer who can show proof they received a COVID vaccine shot between May 15-June 30. This is a completely voluntary incentive-based effort to get more vaccines in arms so our state can fully reopen once we hit 70% of eligible WA residents have at least one vaccine dose administered.

Host a pop-up vaccination clinic at your winery and/or satellite tasting room(s)

We can help you partner with your local health department to schedule a pop-up vaccination event at your winery and/or tasting rooms in June. Please note, pop-up clinics will be dependent on local health capacity and they may not be able to accommodate all requests. Complete the form via this link to register and we will be in touch soon to help you get all you need to successfully host a pop up vaccine site at the winery or tasting room(s).

Wineries who would like to provide some incentive between now and June 30 but are not able to host a vaccine site, please email us at josh@wwi.wine with a good contact name and we will be available to help assist your team with any help, questions, or other to feel confident as you participate in this vaccination effort. Again, this entire effort is completely voluntary. The goal is to promote vaccinations and responsible wine tasting experiences so our state can fully reopen.

Compliance

The Liquor & Cannabis Board has adopted a temporary advisement to make compliance for this event supporting public health easier. On-premises liquor establishments may offer one alcoholic beverage at no cost to customers with proof of vaccination under the following conditions:

1. The customer provides proof to their server that they were vaccinated (first or second vaccination) between May 15, and June 30, 2021 (licensees may choose a window of time between the vaccination date and when the drink can be redeemed, as long as the vaccination was completed within the allowed time period);
2. Customers are limited to one drink;
3. The liquor establishment can provide the drink, or a non-industry member sponsor may pay for the drink;
4. The drink and taxes are paid for at cost of production by the licensee or a non-industry sponsor; and
5. Advertisements and public information provided by licensees related to drink with vaccination promotions may not contain the words “free” or “complimentary” but may indicate a drink will be purchased on the customer’s behalf with proof of vaccination.

This allowance will expire July 1, 2021. For additional questions, please contact LCB Customer Service at (360) 664-1600, or your enforcement officer.

Governor Inslee announced a plan to move forward in his Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery plan.

On Tuesday, May 18, all counties moved or stayed in Phase 3, which allows indoor service at 50% capacity and a limit of 10 people per table.

In addition, the Governor announced the new strategy for reopening will be focused on vaccination rates. He expects the state will entirely reopen on June 30, or sooner if 70% of eligible Washington residents receive at least their first vaccine. As soon as this happens, COVID restrictions on most industries – including eating and drinking establishments – will be lifted.

Mask Guidelines
The Governor also announced that Washington will adopt the CDC’s new federal guidelines for masks. This new guidance is for fully vaccinated people, meaning people who are two weeks removed from their second shot of Pfizer or Moderna or the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The state will work with the Department of Health and Labor & Industries to update our guidance documents as soon as possible.

…..effective immediately with the exception of Seattle/King County,

1. Businesses are not required to enforce masking for non-vaccinated patrons. This is consistent with our current mask order
2. Businesses are not required to check vax cards or any other proof of vaccination
3. Businesses may still adopt a policy that masks are required for all patrons and a policy to check for proof of vaccination

Only 3 days left to apply!  Money is still available.  Deadline to apply is Monday April 26th at 5pm!

Don’t wait apply today!

Grant Opportunity for Wineries/Cideries/Mead

APPLY HERE

The WA State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) COVD Relief and Recovery grant application portal is now live for wineries/cideries/mead operations! WSDA is partnering with the WA State Department of Commerce to provide Relief and Recovery Grants for agriculture businesses that have been underserved by earlier COVID-19 financial relief programs.

Background

The WSDA Relief and Recovery Grants will provide support to small businesses and organizations in four sectors, including small craft beverage producers, that play an important role in the economic viability of Washington agriculture and have been economically impacted due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. This grant serves the public purpose of bolstering the viability of the Washington State agricultural industry, helping prevent business closures, and hence supporting the health and diversity of Washington State’s economy.

Application Timeline & Grant Amounts

The WSDA Relief and Recovery Grant application portal is open now and expected to close on April 26th. Grant awards and payments will be made by the end of May.

Grant amounts will be in a set amount of approximately $15,000 (WSDA reserves the right to adjust grant amounts based on available funds). All applications submitted between April 9 and April 26 will be considered.

Eligibility

To learn the eligibility requirements and begin the process of applying, visit the WSDA COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Grants page.

The WA Wine Institute is available to you to provide education and assistance to grant applicants. Please reach out to us with any questions you have about either grant programs or if you need assistance with your WSDA Relief and Recovery Grant application.

Contacts:

Josh McDonald

josh@wwi.wine

CT Moen

ct@wwi.wine

Stay Safe

Apply Now through April 26th!

Grant Opportunity for Wineries/Cideries/Mead

APPLY HERE

The WA State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) COVD Relief and Recovery grant application portal is now live for wineries/cideries/mead operations! WSDA is partnering with the WA State Department of Commerce to provide Relief and Recovery Grants for agriculture businesses that have been underserved by earlier COVID-19 financial relief programs.

Background

The WSDA Relief and Recovery Grants will provide support to small businesses and organizations in four sectors, including small craft beverage producers, that play an important role in the economic viability of Washington agriculture and have been economically impacted due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. This grant serves the public purpose of bolstering the viability of the Washington State agricultural industry, helping prevent business closures, and hence supporting the health and diversity of Washington State’s economy.

Application Timeline & Grant Amounts

The WSDA Relief and Recovery Grant application portal is open now and expected to close on April 26th. Grant awards and payments will be made by the end of May.

Grant amounts will be in a set amount of approximately $15,000 (WSDA reserves the right to adjust grant amounts based on available funds). All applications submitted between April 9 and April 26 will be considered.

Eligibility

To learn the eligibility requirements and begin the process of applying, visit the WSDA COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Grants page.

The WA Wine Institute is available to you to provide education and assistance to grant applicants. Please reach out to us with any questions you have about either grant programs or if you need assistance with your WSDA Relief and Recovery Grant application.

Contacts:

Josh McDonald

josh@wwi.wine

CT Moen

ct@wwi.wine

Stay Safe

Grant Opportunity for Wineries/Cideries/Mead

Grants through the WA State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) will soon be available for wineries/cideries/mead operations! WSDA is partnering with the WA State Department of Commerce to provide Relief and Recovery Grants for agriculture businesses that have been underserved by earlier COVID-19 financial relief programs.

Background

The WSDA Relief and Recovery Grants will provide support to small businesses and organizations in four sectors, including small craft beverage producers, that play an important role in the economic viability of Washington agriculture and have been economically impacted due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. This grant serves the public purpose of bolstering the viability of the Washington State agricultural industry, helping prevent business closures, and hence supporting the health and diversity of Washington State’s economy.

Application Timeline & Grant Amounts

The WSDA Relief and Recovery Grant application portal is expected to open on April 9th and expected to close on April 26th. Grant awards and payments will be made by the end of May.

Grant amounts will be in a set amount of approximately $15,000 (WSDA reserves the right to adjust grant amounts based on available funds).

Eligibility

To be eligible, businesses must:

1. Be licensed to do business in Washington
2. Have been in operation prior to April 1, 2020
3. Attest to gross annual revenues of between $15,000 and $5 million
4. Hold a Microbrewery, Domestic Brewery, Domestic Winery (includes cideries), Craft Distillery, or Distillers license issued by the Washington State Liquor & Cannabis Board
5. Operate from a physical brick and mortar location in Washington State
6. Normally generate at least 33% its gross annual revenue from in-person sales in its own establishment and/or through distribution to other on-premise retailers
7. Attest to decreased revenue and/or additional costs incurred in 2020 (negative financial impact) resulting from the COVID-19 public health emergency

For more information, visit the WSDA COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Grants page, which will be updated as more info becomes available.

Working Washington Round 4 Grants

Important note: your business may be eligible for both the Department of Commerce’s Working Washington Round 4 grant and the WSDA Relief and Recovery grant. However, your business can only accept one of the two grants and may not receive funding from both programs. Here are some factors to consider when looking at both grants:

1. Working Washington Round 4 Grants are capped at $25,000. If you received funding through an earlier round of Working Washington grants (through the Department of Commerce) that amount will be deducted from any Round 4 any funding received
2. Working Washington Round 4 Grants must be equitably distributed statewide and to historically underserved and disadvantaged populations. Minority and women owned businesses and businesses located in rural and low income areas will be prioritized for this funding

While you may apply for both grants, your business can only receive one. The Working Washington Round 4 Grants application portal is open now through April 9th at 5pm. If you are unsure which grant will better serve your business, we encourage you to apply for both.

The WA Wine Institute is here to help! We are working on behalf of the WSDA to provide education and assistance to grant applicants. Please reach out to us with any questions you have about either grant programs or if you need assistance with your WSDA Relief and Recovery Grant application.

Contacts:

Josh McDonald

josh@wwi.wine

CT Moen

ct@wwi.wine