L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2025 www.italoamericano.org 30 L'Italo-Americano state, thanks to the connec- tions we've established." Italians and Washington wines go back 150 years or more. The first Italians are thought to have arrived in eastern Washington as early as 1857 when Washington was still a territory. These pioneers – and those who after – brought seeds and plants from Tuscany, Pied- mont and regions in south- ern Italy to start their own family vineyards. This connection contin- ued into the 20 th century as some of Washington's winer- ies grew out of these early i m m i g r a n t e f f o r t s . M o r e recently, in the early 1990s, a creative partnership linking t h e t w o c o u n t r i e s w a s f o r m e d b e t w e e n o n e o f Italy's most venerable winer- i e s a n d C h a t e a u S t e . The state legislature budget- ed $5 million for the facility i n 2 0 1 2 , a n d a d d i t i o n a l funds were provided by pri- vate donations, federal funds and grants. The facility was built on land donated by the Port of Benton. As the pri- mary donor with a contribu- t i o n o f $ 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 , S t e . Michelle Wine Estates was accorded naming privileges. The Wine Science Center is very much a win-win part- n e r s h i p f o r W S U a n d t h e industry. "Our research pro- jects are planned and con- ducted in close collaboration with the industry and the r e s u l t s a r e s h a r e d , " s a i d Henick-Kling "On the educa- t i o n s i d e , t h e c e n t e r i s a great place for students to get hands-on learning. They are welcomed in vineyards a n d w i n e r i e s a r o u n d t h e Michelle, Washington's old- est winery. The story began in 1992 when Piero Antinori, rep- resenting Florence-based Marchesi Antinori, whose family has been making wine since the 1300s, visited the Pacific Northwest. During the trip, he became intrigued with the idea of merging two distinct grape-growing and winemaking cultures. A n t i n o r i a p p r o a c h e d Chateau Ste. Michelle and asked if they wanted to bring authentic Italian winemak- ing philosophies and knowl- edge to the Pacific North- west. They agreed and a few years later, the two compa- nies introduced Col Solare, I t a l i a n f o r " s h i n i n g h i l l , " l o c a t e d i n B e n t o n C i t y , Washington. Thirty years later, the col- laboration has run its course a n d M a r c h e s i A n t i n o r i recently announced it will take full ownership of Col Solare in summer 2025 – a bittersweet moment for both partners. "It was a privilege to have partnered with Piero Antinori three decades ago t o c r e a t e C o l S o l a r e a n d grow it into an élite Wash- ington winery," said Shawn C o n w a y , C E O o f S t e . Michelle Wine Estates, in a p r e s s r e l e a s e . " W e a r e thrilled the Antinori family will carry this legacy into the future." A s c o l l a b o r a t i o n a n d innovation continue to be important concepts in the state's wine industry, the Wine Science Center is ideal- ly positioned to play a sup- portive role. "Our goal is to keep expanding our research and education mission by improving our facilities," said Henick-Kling. "We also h o p e t o h a v e m o r e f u n d s available for research, enroll more students, and continue our collaboration with the industry." As former Gov. Jay Inslee said in 2013 at the Wine Sci- ence Center's groundbreak- ing: "We believe in wine, and we believe in science. And with the marrying of those things, we're going to grow the Washington wine econo- my like nowhere else on the planet." lab, instruments lab with advanced analytical instru- ments, and sensory lab. A large classroom with wide benches and aisles was cus- tom-built to accommodate tastings. Also included within the center are a large atrium and an extensive wine library with storage for 1,800 bot- tles curated by the Washing- t o n W i n e C o m m i s s i o n . T h e s e r e l a x i n g g a t h e r i n g spaces are used by students, faculty and members of the wine industry for meetings and receptions. Getting the wine center off the ground took flexibili- ty, creativity and a lot of teamwork. Fundraising was led by the Washington Wine Commission, with the state's wineries and vineyards kick- ing in the first $7.4 million. W ine is big business in Wash- i n g t o n state, the second-largest wine produc- ing state in the nation, with an economic impact of more than $10 billion. But how do you keep an industry vibrant, growing and influential decade after decade when challenges such as drought, pest manage- m e n t a n d w i l d f i r e s a r e becoming more disruptive? The answers might lie within a custom-designed, techno- logically advanced wine sci- ence center that provides a w o r l d - c l a s s h u b f o r researchers and a teaching center for future generations of viticulturists and wine- makers. K n o w n a s t h e S t e . Michelle Wine Estates Wine Science Center, the innovative facility opened its doors ten years ago on June 4 , 2 0 1 5 , o n t h e R i c h l a n d campus of Washington State University. "Our Wine Science Center is a unique facility planned by researchers and educa- t o r s , " s a i d D r . T h o m a s Henick-Kling, professor of enology at Washington State University and a well-known wine researcher. "The idea was developed in partner- ship with the wine industry in Washington and with lots of support from the local community, industry reps and regional development partners." The $23 million state-of- the-art center, positioned along the Columbia River in t h e h e a r t o f W a s h i n g t o n wine country, was created to meet both research and edu- cation agendas. No detail was too small. "We were able to plan what specialized labs we needed, how large they s h o u l d b e , a n d h o w t h e y should be positioned," said Henick-Kling, who joined the WSU faculty in 2009. The 40,000-square-foot building includes a research and teaching winery, chem- istry and molecular biology Dr. Thomas Henick-Kling and a student evaluate a particular wine at the WSU Wine Science Center in Richland, Washington (Photo: WSU Viticulture & Enology Program) WSU's Wine Science Center: at the center of innovation and education RITA CIPALLA SEATTLE ITALIAN COMMUNITY Wine is big business in Washington state, contributing more than $10 billion in economic impact (Photo: Andrea Johnson Photography/Washington State Wine Commission)

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