WASHINGTON WINE SALES UP 45%

As the second-largest wine producing state, Washington is making waves with a new marketing campaign. From February to April the state’s wine industry conducted a national branding effort that spiked a 45% increase in Washington wine sales in Tampa, Florida. And while it doesn’t sound like much right now, the country could be seeing a lot more of Washington wine in the coming years.

"Tampa was the perfect place to launch our first national integrated marketing effort," said Jeff Gordon in a statement, owner of Gordon Brothers Family Vineyards in Pasco, Wash. and chairman of the Washington Wine Commission. "We saw a huge return on our initial investment this year, and look forward to returning to Florida in 2007 with even greater success."