2003:  A Meeting of the Minds
On August 28 - 29 2003, twenty leaders and key stakeholders from the California grape and wine industry and the University of California at Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology met to address a growing crisis in research funding, and to develop a process for establishing research priorities that would mutually benefit the wine industry and academic and research organizations.

The objectives of the meeting were to:

• Identify the key external conditions, trends or assumptions that will impact grape and wine research in the future
• Develop a ten year vision that identifies how the participants see the grape and wine research process and how mutual relationships might work best in the future
• Identify barriers to achieving the ten-year vision
• Test the willingness of both industry and academia participants to mutually address research challenges and issues
• Create a permanent ongoing working relationship and structure to address the issues over a ten year period
• Identify initial strategies to begin addressing the growing research crisis

As a result of this first meeting, the participants agreed to develop the Winegrowers Critical Research Investment Initiative (WCRII).

The BIG goal
The meeting participants also identified their vision or Big Imperative Goal (BIG) for the future of grape and wine research and funding In addition, they identified how they saw the industry/university research process and collaborative relationship working together.

In developing the BIG, participants:

• Acknowledged that the current state of industry funded research must change if the grape and wine industry were to remain successful
• Hoped the movement would stimulate activity and commitment beyond the present participants who were involved in the Initiative
• Envisioned the group as a catalyst for industry and academia to work together for mutual success
• Imagined that the BIG applied to the entire grape and wine community

Participants envisioned the BIG as:

The current state of industry funded research would change through a collaborative initiative between the grape and wine industry, university research institutions, USDA and other institutions, to assure that the US industry would be the worldwide leader in wine science, innovation, economic issues and environmental and business practices.

Building the Organization and Collaborating on Research
The meeting participants identified three key solutions or focus areas in which strategies could be developed:

1. Develop a permanent governance structure to continue the work of this group beyond the August meeting
2. Develop industry funding to support university research
3. Develop improved R & D information exchange between industry and universities and other key stakeholders in the wine community

A New Name - National Grape & Wine Initiative
In 2005, the WCRII changed its name to the National Grape and Wine Initiative (NGWI). The name of the organization changed, but the vision and goals remained the same.

NGWI also developed a website and set up a toll-free number to facilitate communication about NGWI and its goals. In 2008, NGWI hired a seasoned industry leader, Jean-Mari Peltier, as its first full-time president.

The Future of NGWI
When the NGWI vision is achieved in 2013, there will be:

1.  A process among the industry, universities and state/federal funding agencies to:

• develop an overall clear strategy or business plan for research and communication (to practice)
• annually assess research programs and industry needs
• develop an annual work plan or strategies that are accountable to all partners

2.  An overall steering committee/body of industry, academia and stakeholders that oversee research needs and ensures that academic staff will focus on industry research needs — all in an interactive and cooperative model.

3.  Increased collaboration among the industry, universities, state and federal research institutions to assure the best possible research programs include the most talented researchers and farm advisors who focus on industry needs.

4.  Adequate investment in research funding for the future success of the industry.

5.  State representatives from agriculture districts that champion the global competitiveness of the California wine industry and will marshal the political will to support that vision.

6.  Increased support by state/federal government for viticulture research that provides adequate infrastructure for faculty time to visit the industry to better understand their issues and problems. For example, industry funding is matched by state/federal funds that include overhead costs so the campus can see that the real cost of research activity is covered.

7.  Industry-wide participation and involvement at several levels in research (funding, requesting research, participating in or using research, etc.).

8.  Research deliverables/outcomes to the industry will be clearly defined and presented.

Join NGWI in Achieving Our Vision
NGWI has made tremendous progress in the past two years. We anticipate continued progress as we work towards our goals for 2013. We welcome your participation and encourage you to contact us to find out how you can become involved in this important organization.