The marketing entity for Virginia’s burgeoning wine industry is looking to cultivate a PR and marketing plan to tout wines from the state.

The Virginia Wine Board kicked off a competitive bidding process this month open through April 2 for a firm to establish build up the Virginia Wine Marketing Office and develop a plan covering PR, promotions, marketing and advertising.

The overall goal is to “enhance the image and reputation of Virginia wines and the Virginia wine industry,” according to an RFP.

A study by the state released in February pegged the wine industry’s economic impact at $747M, a 106% increase over 2005. The number of wineries rose from 129 in 2005 to 193 in 2010 account for more than 4,700 jobs.

In addition to creating the office and the marketing plan, the contractor will organize trade and media events, maintain the Virginia Wine website, and produce an annual wineries guide, among other tasks.

A year-long contract with four one-year options is expected.

View the RFP at Virginia's procurement portal or (O'Dwyer's subscribers) download it here (DOC).