Viticulture | Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

People standing next to a Badger Mountain Organic Winery sign.

Kennewick winery closing tasting room

October 8, 2025

The first wine grape vineyard to be USDA-certified organic in Washington state is closing its tasting room as it adapts to customer trends and other challenges facing the wine industry.

Ste. Michelle CEO departs

October 5, 2025

Ty Beaver

Three people are taking on top roles at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates with the recent departure of its CEO.

Agricultural Innovation Center

Study: Multimillion-dollar center would be a modern hub for ag innovation

Project could cost between $15 million to $30 million

February 13, 2025

Ty Beaver

Tri-City leaders are pushing forward with a bold vision for a multimillion-dollar agricultural-focused facility that could include a business incubator, wet and dry laboratories, meeting space and a test kitchen.

Longtime Red Mountain winery lists for $3M

December 13, 2024

Ty Beaver

A winery established 18 years ago is looking for new owners to continue its legacy on Red Mountain.

Candy Mountain becomes state’s newest wine grape region

October 14, 2020

Guest Contributor

By Eric DegermanSpecial to the TCAJOBThe sweet news about the establishment of the Candy Mountain American Viticultural Area gives the Washington state wine industry its 16th AVA.Candy Mountain, a portion of which is in the Richland city limits, recently became the tiniest AVA in the state at 815 acres. Its...

Q&A with Thomas Henick-Kling

October 14, 2020

TCAJOB Staff

Thomas Henick-KlingWSU Viticulture & Enology ProgramDirector, WSU Viticulture & Enology ProgramNumber of employees you oversee: 11 faculty, 4 staffBrief background ofyour organization:The WSU Viticulture & Enology (V&E) Program provides educational opportunities for those interested in grape growing and winemaking.We offer undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees as well as online certificate...

Grant helps support WSU Wine Science Center teaching lab

October 14, 2020

TCAJOB Staff

A gift from the Paul Lauzier Charitable Foundation is delivering much-needed space and equipment for hands-on student learning at Washington State University’s Wine Science Center in north Richland.Named for the late Washington farmer and entrepreneur Paul Lauzier, the foundation, which supports a range of causes including community development, education, health,...

Want to save your piece of paradise? These legal strategies can help

October 14, 2020

Guest Contributor

Think of a unique piece of property.Maybe it’s a plot of land you own that is situated perfectly to be added to the Badger Mountain trail system.Maybe it’s a charming house or commercial building in downtown Kennewick. Maybe it’s a vineyard in the heart of Red Mountain.If your ultimate goal...

Paterson farmer making water from wine

Sandpiper Farms creates Water from Wine nonprofit to fund clean water work

June 13, 2019

Arielle Dreher

Sandpiper Farms creates Water from Wine nonprofit to fund clean water workBy Arielle DreherIn a way, the family behind the local nonprofit Water from Wine is bringing the first miracle of Jesus turning water into a wine into a modern-day context, leveraging the rich wine-growing potential in the vineyard at...

More students set sights on WSU degrees to launch wine industry careers

120 students now enrolled in viticulture, enology undergraduate program

February 14, 2018

Audra Distifeno

120 students now enrolled in viticulture, enology undergraduate programSeven years ago, Becca DeKleine was the lone College of Agriculture student walking at Washington State University’s Tri-Cities campus commencement.She carried the department’s banner by herself.She and three others graduated together with an emphasis in viticulture and enology in 2011. The others...