Virginia Tech Selected for Viticulture & Enology Center Study

The Loudoun County Department of Economic Development and the Town of Purcellville announce the award of contract to the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Office of Economic Development to conduct a feasibility study for the creation of a Viticulture and Enology Education Center in the Town of Purcellville. The Purcellville Town Council approved the contract at their regular meeting this week. The goal of launching a VEEC is to strengthen Loudoun’s robust wine industry, which contributes more than $5 million to the Loudoun economy each year.

With 42 wineries and more on the way, Loudoun is recognized as “D.C.’s Wine Country” and has more wineries than any other county in Virginia. Growing this important industry will require creating a stronger workforce pipeline of qualified employees educated in all aspects of winemaking, from grape growing and harvesting to fermenting, bottling and labeling.

“We surveyed winery owners last fall, and the numbers were telling,” said Loudoun Economic Development Director Buddy Rizer. “Most respondents said it’s difficult to find employees with training and experience. Because of projected growth in the Loudoun winery industry over the next few years, 85 percent of respondents say they’ll need to hire skilled employees. Eighty-eight percent would pay a higher wage for employees with viticulture and enology certifications or degrees.”

Virginia Tech will develop a feasibility study and business plan that will detail all the steps necessary to plan, fund, construct and operate the VEEC. The plan will be presented to town and county officials this December. The $26,000 cost of the work will be paid for by a $17,500 Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund grant and through matching grants from Loudoun County and the Town of Purcellville.

“We want the VEEC to be a science-based, practical workforce training center for regional wineries, as well as for the local grape, beer and cider industries,” said Purcellville Town Mayor Bob Lazaro. “This facility will enhance and promote the regional tourism industry, through focusing on teaching and research.”

Assisting Virginia Tech will be a working group of staff from the town, county and the Northern Virginia Community College; members from the Loudoun Wine Growers Association, the Loudoun County Rural Economic Development Council, the Loudoun Winery Association, and the Purcellville business community, along with an enology extension specialist and an additional Loudoun County winery owner.