wine.jpg
Putting a wine glass in the hand of a college student is probably not your idea of a smart move. But a bill in Olympia would do just that. (AP Photo/file)

Bill would allow underage sipping, not drinking

BY Tim Haeck  on February 4, 2013 @ 3:36 pm (Updated: 3:57 pm - 2/4/13 )

Putting a wine glass in the hand of a college student is probably not your idea of a smart move. But a bill in Olympia would do just that.

A small number of students at Washington State University's Tri-Cities campus are up to their elbows in viticulture, the science of wine, grapes and wine-making. They work in the classroom and partner with local growers and wineries to expand their knowledge and skills.

The students can do about everything the professional winemakers can, unless they're underage. If they're not 21, they can't sample the product. "Ridiculous," they thought. So they approached Tri-Cities lawmaker Larry Haler, who agreed. "They should be allowed to taste the product that they are making," he said.

You might wonder how a student can study grapes, wine and wine-making and not taste the product.

"At this point, you can't," laughed Haler. "Basically what I'm trying to do with this is make sure that they can, but under controlled circumstances," he explained.

Haler introduced a measure, HB 1549, to allow students between the ages of 18 and 21, who are enrolled in a wine-making or similar program at a college or vocational school, to sip the wine they're studying.

"They not actually swallowing the wine but they are putting it in their mouths, savoring it and they have to spit it out," Haler said.

Grape growing and wine-making is big business in the mid-Columbia valley of Washington where you'll find an estimated 200 wineries.

"This is a growing business, it's a very important business for this state, and we have young men and women who are trying to get into the industry and this would allow them to, without swallowing the content, at least sample it as professional samplers and tasters do," argued Rep. Haler.

Tasting for the underage student would be restricted to a classroom or with direct supervision of an instructor.

Representative Haler, R-8th district, expects some blowback but not from his constituents.

"In my district, people will understand and I think in Eastern Washington we understand that this is an important part of their education."

The bill gets a hearing in Olympia Tuesday.

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
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Comments (10)


  • Add A Comment

  • imanegro wrote...
    While you're at it
    February 4, 2013 3:52 pm
    Maybe you could do something cool like balance the budget.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Snout wrote...
    Sipping?
    February 4, 2013 4:10 pm
    Yes, for all of those Cougs with the, ahem, self control to do so. Please. How many of these kids are really going to plant their own vineyards and open their own wineries? As we all know, the best wines are crafted by people who study the craft in university.... snicker. Grow up and then embark on your hobby.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mattimus wrote...
    Way to go snout
    February 4, 2013 5:39 pm
    Completely ignorant statement. It's not wine tasting class smarty. They study pest control, drought tolerance, soil conditions, business management etc. to improve industry performance. It's what agricultural colleges do. Wineries donate a lot of money for research and screamed for a program to produce candidates informed on the specific needs of the industry. Yes, it's an industry. Large and growing one at that. It's not a bunch of folks with basement wine stashes. Get out of the city some time.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    "They not actually swallowing the wine but they are putting it in their mouths, savoring it and they have to spit it out,"
    February 4, 2013 6:29 pm
    I did not have sex with that woman BC.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    Meanwhile on the weekends
    February 5, 2013 2:33 am
    they are stinkin drunk and falling out of the frat house windows.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Just more ObamaKoolaide for the like of
    February 5, 2013 9:09 am
    WSU!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    yeah...
    February 5, 2013 11:46 am
    except the east side of the state is RED.

    AND, FARMERS. people who actually COULD follow through on this bill AND not abuse it.

    wow. some of you "conservatives" are SO out of touch, you neglect the people who used to be the HEART of your party.

    this is why you keep losing ground to moderate liberals.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HLC wrote...
    I tried pot.
    February 5, 2013 9:15 am
    But I did not inhale. BC. I actually voted for the man.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    I tried pot
    February 5, 2013 11:22 am
    now we know what happen to It's me! Ha ha!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cougsfan34 wrote...
    Technically
    February 5, 2013 11:48 am
    You can give booze and beer to kids 16 years and older in Washington State at family and religous functions. YOU just can't legally buy booze and beer till your 21.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }