With today’s Fruit Grower Report, I’m Bob Larson. As last minute preparations are made, Northwest wine industry folks are packing their bags for the Washington Winegrowers Association’s 2019 Convention and Trade Show, “Washington Wine: Intentional from Grape to Glass” that starts Monday in Kennewick.

The Association’s Katlyn Straub says session topics cover everything from the labor shortage to the growth of Northwest Rose’s …

STRAUB … “People that attend will also get an international perspective from Vincent Garde. He’s from France and he’ll be speaking about rose from an international perspective.”

The 4-day event, held at the Three Rivers Convention Center, includes a trade show and group sessions spotlighting the latest industry research.

Straub says it also gives them a chance to recognize industry leaders

STRAUB … “We have an incredible lineup. We have student research through poster sessions, the trade show, and our big event closes with our Leadership and Legacy Luncheon which we get to spotlight our Grower of the Year, our Industry Service Recipient, our Grande Vin and our Lifetime Achievement winners. These are our industry legends and pioneers and just people that are, have just continued to be passionate about our industry and put everything into what is now a thriving Washington wine industry.”

And to wrap things up …

STRAUB … “We’ll end the entire convention with an Inspirational Keynote from Galen Emanuel and if that doesn’t speak ‘Intentional Impact’ I don’t know what does.

So, we’re pretty excited.”

To find out more about the convention, go to www.wawinegrowers.org to see the full schedule of events … or to register if you’ve been putting it off.