Heads up: The opening session of the Virginia General Assembly is set for Wednesday. Preview announcements from Agriculture and Forestry Secretary Todd Haymore indicate that the wine industry has gotten everyone’s attention.

Expectation is that Governor McDonnell will increase spending and opportunities to preserve farmland and forests and provide a tax credit program to create and expand the state’s vineyards and wineries. This all follows on the heels of successful numbers (sales up 13%) which helped the state’s coffers. Already during the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, sales are up 8%. Not hard to get on the agenda with these impressive gains.

It should be noted that the industry will get an additional boost this coming year from two important events that will be held in the state: The Wineries Unlimited Trade Show & Conference (at the end of March in Richmond) and the American Wine Bloggers Conference (July in Charlottesville).

Stay tuned. This is the type of good news that recognizes and applauds the industry and defines its value to the grower and the consumer. More to follow.