View this email in your browser

News for April 25, 2017

In this Edition:

Message from Tom Danowski
Census
Marketing
Education
Research

Calls for Wine
Other News
Quick Links
Upcoming Events

MESSAGE FROM TOM DANOWSKI

Dear friends,

We are six short days away from the official kick-off of Oregon Wine Month 2017. If you have not yet seen the Oregon Wine Board’s toolkit, click here to download graphics, print out materials and discover the many ways you can still get involved. And, don’t forget to take advantage of OWB’s increased web traffic to publicize your Oregon Wine Month events. Use this form to submit your events so we can help tell wine country visitors what you’ve got in store.

Since you will want your tasting room stocked with free copies of the Oregon Wine Country Touring Guide, be sure to order a box here.

If you have not seen the latest annual report from ShipCompliant and Wines & Vines on the direct-to-consumer segment of our business, here are some highlights:

Total wine volume sold direct, measured in dollars, grew 18.5% in 2016 versus the prior year; Oregon’s volume trended up 14.6%;
This channel continues to be important for Oregon wineries since direct consumers spend an average of $38.69 per bottle;
The top five states for DTC shipments, ranked in order, are: California with 31% of the country’s dollar volume, followed by Texas (9%) and New York (6%) with Florida and Washington state each accounting for 5%. Oregon, Virginia and Colorado are tied at 3%;
The value of Oregon wineries’ direct shipments outpaced those from Washington state wineries by 47%, despite the fact that Washington’s annual harvest tonnage is three times that of Oregon.

The report uses a sample of transactions to project totals representing direct sales for the 9,069 permitted U.S. wineries; 79% of those wineries are estimated to produce 5,000 cases or fewer annually. Click here to access the full report.

Finally, for members of the Oregon Winegrowers Association, do not forget to register for this Thursday’s 11 a.m. webinar with immigration attorneys from Davis Wright Tremaine. Members can contact Jessica Blauert to sign up and submit questions in advance. Thank you to the OWA members who turned out last Thursday for our information session with representatives from the Department of Homeland Security updating us on the federal government’s internal security priorities and practices when enforcing current laws relevant to agricultural workers.

Tom Danowski
President

OREGON VINEYARD & WINERY CENSUS REPORT

Support Our Industry by Completing Your Census

Every year the Oregon wine industry receives an important request for census information. The data is confidentially gathered and analyzed by the Southern Oregon University Research Center (SOURCE) and is essential for communicating industry grape pricing, economic impact, market growth and much more. Read more and complete your census survey.

MARKETING

Oregon Wine Month Starts Monday!

We are in the final days of the lead up to Oregon Wine Month 2017. Are you wondering if there’s still time to get involved? The answer is YES. The marketing team recently shared a short list of ideas for taking advantage of the OWB’s multi-channel programming around our state’s annual celebration of all things Oregon wine. Read it here.

And, don’t forget to submit your events for free to the OWB’s consumer events calendar, which receives a big traffic spike during May. Post your events here.

Takeover of Sip Northwest Live with Brian Bushlach Starts Saturday

The five-week Oregon Wine Month takeover of Sip Northwest Live with Brian Bushlach begins this Saturday, Apr. 29. Each week, Brian will bring uniquely Oregonian wine industry stories to 50,000 dedicated listeners around the Northwest. Find out when and where to tune in, plus get a shareable podcast link.

Read the OWB’s International Marketing Newsletter

An update on the OWB’s international marketing efforts was published last week. The newsletter included information on international events that have taken place to-date in 2017, as well as information on upcoming events. Contact Marie Chambers if you would like to be added to the international marketing email list. Read the international marketing newsletter.

Call for International Success Stories

Showing the USDA that Market Access Program funds are being used effectively and that activities are resulting in increased international sales and representation for Oregon wineries is essential for continued grant funding. If you have participated in any OWB-sponsored international activities that have resulted in securing representation or sales abroad, send the details of your success story to Margaret Bray.

EDUCATION

Immigration Webinar for OWA Members

In response to the need for guidance and information around changes in federal immigration policy enforcement, the Oregon Winegrowers Association has arranged a members-only educational webinar, which will be hosted on Apr. 26. Learn more and find out how to register.

Introduction to Sensory Evaluation of Wine

Enhance your critical tasting ability and learn the basic aspects of sensory evaluation at a two-day course held at OSU on May 20-21. The course will be taught by Dr. Elizabeth Tomasino, sensory scientist in Food Science and Technology at OSU and the Oregon Wine Research Institute. Learn more or register.

Wine Management Professional Series at Linfield College Starts May 1

Linfield College has created a new Wine Management Professional Series, designed to provide individuals interested in entering the wine business, or those already working in it, with the core knowledge they need to effectively manage a successful winery operation. Learn more or register.

Participate in the Wine Industry Immersion Program at Linfield College

The Wine Industry Immersion program at Linfield College runs every Tuesday and Thursday from Jun. 13 through Aug. 3. Each session is taught by a diverse set of seasoned industry professionals, encompassing the wine production process from vineyard to table. Learn more or register.

Save 15% on Upcoming WISE Academy DTC Classes

Popular Oregon Wine Symposium presenters WISE Academy are hosting a series of classes on DTC sales and marketing in the Willamette Valley during June. They are offering employees of Oregon wineries 15% off registration. See the class schedule and get the discount code.

RESEARCH

Read the Spring 2017 Weather and Climate Summary and Forecast

Dr. Greg Jones of Southern Oregon University has published an updated spring 2017 weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at the first quarter of 2017 and forward through the next 90 days. Read the report.

Attend a Discussion on Glyphosate Impacts and Alternatives

Attend a presentation by Mimi Casteel of Hope Well Wine on glyphosate, how it works, pesticide modes of action and alternative practices. This event is presented by LIVE and will be hosted at Gran Moraine Winery from 4-6 p.m. on May 2. Learn more about this event.

Recruiting Industry Collaborators for Statewide Crop Load Project

Dr. Patty Skinkis, viticulture extension specialist at Oregon State University, is recruiting new vineyard and winery partners for the statewide crop load project during 2017. Dr. Skinkis is specifically looking for Pinot noir or Chardonnay producers in Oregon. The deadline to apply is Apr. 28. Read about the project and apply to participate.

CALLS FOR WINE

Submit New Release Wines to The Wine Advocate

Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Oregon’s new critic at The Wine Advocate, is planning her review of Oregon wines in June 2017. Submissions are due Jun. 2. Read the guidelines and instructions on submitting wines for review.

Submit Wines for the 2017 Oregon Wine Competition

All Oregon wineries are invited to submit up to five wines to the 2017 Oregon Wine Competition with judging Aug. 5-6. The competition is associated with the Oregon Wine Experience, which showcases the full breadth and depth of Oregon wines. All proceeds benefit Asante Foundation, a designated Children’s Miracle Network hospital. Read OWB education manager Bree Boskov MW’s blog post on why wineries should participate, and get details on how to enter.

Register to Participate in the Sélections Mondiales des Vins Canada

The 2017 Sélections Mondiales des Vins Canada (SMV Canada), the largest international wine competition in North America, will be held from May 25-29 in Quebec City. The deadline to register is Apr. 30, and wines must be received by May 5. Find out more about how to enter the competition.

Submit Wines for Sunset Magazine International Wine Competition

The 2017 Sunset Magazine International Wine Competition is now open for entries. The early bird deadline for submissions is May 5, with a final submission deadline of May 19. Get more information and details on how to enter.

OTHER NEWS

Come Share Your Winery’s Story with the OWB Team

The OWB team always likes getting to know the wineries and vineyards we represent. Wineries are invited to OWB’s office to share their wines and brand story with us at 3:30 p.m. on Fridays. This is a great opportunity for you to get to know our organization better, ask questions of us and share your suggestions. Learn more and sign up for a visit.

Attend “History of the Vineyards” Lecture at Linfield College

Join winegrower Ken Wright and author and journalist Jim Gullo for an evening lecture at Linfield College at 7:30 p.m. on May 1. The talk grows out of a series of reports that Wright commissioned Gullo to undertake that explore the histories and land usages of the 13 Willamette Valley vineyard properties that Wright farms and/or sources for his site-specific Pinot noir wines. Read more.

OWB QUICK LINKS

You might want to…

Order Oregon Wine Touring Guides for your tasting room
Update your public tasting room profile
Learn about how the OWB evaluates industry requests for funding
Search the Industry Marketplace for grapes, bulk wine, real estate, equipment or jobs
Submit a listing to the Industry Marketplace
Promote an industry educational opportunity
Submit an event to the industry calendar
Submit an event to the consumer calendar

UPCOMING EVENTS

MAY 1 – 31

OREGON WINE MONTH

State-wide

MAY 5 – 7

SPRING RELEASE

Walla Walla Valley

JUNE 24 – 27

OREGON PINOT CAMP

Willamette Valley

JULY 28 – 30

IPNC

Linfield College in McMinnville

AUGUST 5 – 6

THE OREGON WINE COMPETITION

Jacksonville

AUGUST 21 – 27

OREGON WINE EXPERIENCE