Economists and Executives Lead Effort to Determine Facts of Impact, Draw Roadmap for Recovery as Model for Wine Regions Worldwide
Rohnert Park, California – The Wine Business Institute (WBI) at Sonoma State University (SSU) today announced a wildfire impact assessment study that was launched on October 11 to evaluate the immediate and long-term effects of recent wildfires on the North Coast wine industry, and provide objective data to inform a full recovery of the wine tourism economy. The project team will be comprised of leading economists, data analysts, regional association executives, industry leaders, and scientists working across economic sectors to develop the fact-based assessment, which comes in response to inaccurate accounts of the extent of damage to the region’s wineries and vineyards.
“We identified a need to understand the true impact of the fires on the North Coast wine industry, as it became clear that damage was not widespread. As we transition to recovery and revitalization, our business owners, policymakers, and community leaders need accurate information on the effects of the fires, best practices for rapid recovery, and strategies to prevent future losses,” Dr. William S. Silver, Dean of the School of Business and Economics and Wine Business Institute said. “The findings and outcome of this initiative will benefit wine-growing regions around the world. Our hope and expectation is that our global partners can learn from our situation and solutions, and apply best practices to protect the health of their own industry, economy, and communities.”
The wildfire impact assessment study is designed to serve as the basis for developing plans for immediate and long-term regional economic recovery, with a focus on priorities defined by industry input, including quantifying the fact-based impact on the industry and relating it in percentage terms to the region at large; developing regional tools to drive hospitality revitalization; assembling public policy arguments citing the role that vineyards played as firebreaks, halting the spread of fires and protecting structures; drafting a regional plan for a return to economic vitality, including communications and operations strategies following a future catastrophic event; and driving business innovation and best practices for long-term development.
For more information regarding the Wine Business Institute wildfire impact assessment study of the North Coast wine industry, please contact Honore Comfort, Wine Business Executive in Residence, at comfort@sonoma.edu. For information regarding WBI academic programs and degrees, please visit sonoma.edu/winebiz, contact (707) 664-3235 or winebiz@sonoma.edu.
About the Wine Business Institute
The Wine Business Institute (WBI) is an education and research institute of the School of Business and Economics (SBE) at Sonoma State University (SSU). SSU is the first U.S. institution of higher learning to offer programs and degrees specializing in the business of wine. It is the first school of business in the world to offer an executive-level wine business degree. In 2018, WBI will open the Wine Spectator Learning Center, a 15,000-square-foot education complex dedicated to training the next generation of leaders for a changing global wine industry. With its unique location, expert faculty, and deep relationships in the world of wine, WBI attracts current and future professionals from California and around the world to experience the expertise and wealth of connections among students, alumni, and industry leaders.
