Materials sought by the Washington Wine Archives

Dear Friend of Washington Wine,

Like most people, there is a good chance that you are sitting on some piece of wine memorabilia -- from wine glasses to winery board minutes -- that should be going to the newly created Washington Wine Archives.

I received a grant from the Washington Wine Commission (WWC) to create a Washington Wine Archives under the sponsorship of the Commission and the Washington State Historical Society (WSHS).

The Washington Wine Archives will collect, catalogue, and store both physical and paper materials in a secure facility at the WSHS in downtown Tacoma. WSHS will be the owner of all materials.

I will work closely with Edward Nolan, Curator of Special Collections/Archives at the WSHS. Mr. Nolan contacted me after reading The Wine Project, co-authored by Dr. Walter Clore and myself, and suggested that a Washington wine archives be created. Since then we have collaborated on the parameters and goals of such an archives.

I am also working with an Advisory Board of distinguished people, many of whom have had a significant impact on the Washington wine industry. I have asked them to help cull a list of potential donors such as yourself. Please feel free to pass along other names (with addresses and phone numbers, please.)

Materials collected are not limited to only older, more cherished pieces, but also will include more recent material, up to three years old. Thus the Washington Wine Archives will be an on-going, active collection managed by the professional staff of the WSHS.

Here is a partial list of materials for your consideration, and please keep in mind WSHS wants original materials:

Physical materials (three-dimensional):

  • Winemaking equipment: bottling machine, wine press, wine crusher, barrels, labelers
  • Empty or full Washington wine bottles with or without labels
  • Corkscrews, wine glasses, shipping boxes
  • Viticulture tools
  • Winery or vineyard signs

Paper materials (two-dimensional):

  • Books, pamphlets, and publications about the Washington wine industry
  • Company records, account books, correspondence, minutes of meetings, notes, minutes of industry boards, including: minutes of the Enological Society, minutes of the Washington Wine and Grape Growers Council, or The Grape Society
  • Promotional materials: price lists, posters, flyers
  • Winery labels
  • Wine industry publications: magazines, newsletters
  • Photographs (preferably original negatives) and movies
  • Video and audio recordings
  • Personal memos
  • Maps: vineyard locations, winery locations
  • Washington State Liquor Control Board materials: price lists, promotional materials, handouts Horticultural or viticulture studies

I propose that material be mailed or taken to the Washington Wine Commission's office, in care of the Washington Wine Archives, located at 500 Union Street, Suite 945, Seattle, WA 98101. Jennifer Doak, of the WWC, can be reached at (206) 667-9463, ext. 200.

In Eastern Washington, Washington Hills Cellars in Sunnyside will be a drop-off point. Please co-ordinate with John Probst: (509) 839-9463; 111 East Lincoln Avenue, Sunnyside, WA 98944.

WSHS reserves the right to decline any material, due to space limitations or disinterest.

Thank you for any effort to help preserve the heritage of this wonderful industry.

Best regards,

Ron Irvine,
Director, Washington Wine Archives