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26 WINES&VINES September 2016 T he recent announcement about Camron King being appointed president of the National Grape and Wine Initiative (NGWI) got me thinking: How many readers have heard about NGWI—and if they have, how much do they know about it? The transition from Jean-Mari Peltier to King as president is an opportunity to revisit NGWI. Why was it formed, what has it been doing the past few years, why is it an important organiza- tion, and what are its goals for the future? In August 2003, a group of concerned wine industry leaders in California and viticulture and enology researchers from the University of California, Davis, met to discuss the erosion of financial support for viticulture and enol- ogy research and cooperative extension at a time when global competition was steadily increasing. They adopted the name Wine Growers Critical Research Investment Initia- tive (WCRII), and it would eventually evolve into NGWI. WCRII recognized that even though California dominated the U.S. grape and wine industry, much more could be ac- complished if it joined forces with the grape and wine industries in other states—particu- l a r l y b e c a u s e m o n e y a v a i l a b l e f o r w i n e grape research was fragmented among many government and trade associa- tion grant programs. F u r t h e r m o r e , t h e U.S. Congressional W i n e C a u c u s h a d grown quite large through the hard work o f w i n e and grapegrowing organizations such as Wine America, Wine Institute, the California As- sociation of Winegrape Growers and others. WCRII concluded that the time was right to seriously explore leveraging the grape and wine industry's position to enhance funding for research and extension. In May and June 2004, WCRII invited 35 key grape and wine industry leaders and stake- holders from around the United States to a brainstorming session, the latter gathering in conjunction with the annual meeting of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture in San Diego, Calif. Attendees were tasked with developing vision and mission statements as well as a set of desired outcomes for the strat- egy. Subcommittees were formed to pursue important tasks such as identify regional re- search priorities in viticulture and enology and begin to consolidate them (where possible) into national priorities, summarize funding for viticulture and enology research and extension throughout the United States, and identify ways to improve extension programs. The attendees decided to organize an even larger meeting to develop true consensus and buy-in from the U.S. grape and wine industries. A list of key industry, academic and govern- ment individuals was developed, and all were invited to a meeting in Chicago, Ill., in Novem- ber 2004. Seventy-five people met to finalize the NGWI vision and mission statements as well as identify top-level strategies for research and extension in viticulture and enology. All facets of the grape and wine industry were involved, including table grapes, wine grapes, raisins, juice grapes and wine producers. A 27-member board of directors representing all sectors of the grape industry was formed to initiate the organization. Not only were all sectors represented, it also included a very diverse range of experiences such as research, extension, marketing, grapegrowing, wine- making, wine and grape trade associations and policy organizations. This great mix of exper- tise and experience made NGWI a truly unique and valuable organization, and this diversity is still present today. NGWI's original vision statement was: By 2020, the American grape and wine industry will triple its economic impact, from $50 billion annually to $150 billion, by aggressively pursu- ing increased market share, becoming the un- disputed world leader in consumer value and sustainability and contributing to improved quality of life in rural communities. NGWIs mission statement was: To achieve our vision, we will assure outcome-based funding to deliver innovative, prioritized, col- laborative research, technology development, extension and education. Leadership and funding will be provided through creative public-private partnerships among govern- ment, academic, nonprofit and private-sector partners accountable for research, develop- ment and adoption of business, environmental Vineyard View n CLIFF OHMART What is the National Grape and Wine Initiative? NGWI has focused on being a facilitator of dia- logue about research and extension priorities and funding, helping identify and form project teams and coordinating grant- funding applications.