--Donnie Winchel, executive director of the Ohio Wine Producers Association, described her group's wine festivals as "an effective way to introduce wine drinking and experimentation to thousands."
--Rob Boordy of Maryland's Boordy Vineyards (the state does not have a trade director to represent his interests) recounted how the state's wine industry has "refined its story" amid hostile politics: "We are family businesses, promoting rural tourism, high-value agriculture and land preservation."
--Sally Linton, executive director of the Indiana Wine Grape Council, described how demand is outstripping supply of grapes in her state.
--Tanie Dautlick, executive director of the North Carolina Grape Council, updated local efforts to promote winegrapes as an alternative to tobacco plantings, an idea embraced by Agriculture officials and lawmakers.
--Vicky Scharlau, executive director of the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers, updated efforts of the nation's second largest wine state to establish its own viticulture and enology training program and how it is adopting a voluntary Wine Quality Alliance.
--David Miller, executive director of the Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association, reported state wineries can now ship direct to consumers, an effort that took years of lobbying.
--Jim Anderson, executive director of the Missouri Wine & Grape Program, said a winery owner has been appointed undersecretary of the State Department of Agriculture. The industry's recently completed strategic plan calls for doubling production and sales. WV