It was energizing and inspiring to see so many growers, winemakers, industry colleagues and guests at last week’s Oregon Wine Symposium. You helped set another all-time Symposium attendance record and are already setting us up to make it even better the next time around as we hear your preliminary feedback. Be sure and save these dates: February 16-17, 2021.
To make sure we capture all of your suggestions for next year, please take a minute and share your thoughts about the Symposium here. Your completed survey will ensure you get a first look at the various presentations when they are provided by the speakers and consolidated next month.
Last Wednesday’s Industry Awards presentations were especially memorable as we recognized the extraordinary talents of those offering their experience and energy from all over the state. This year’s honorees represented the Rogue and Willamette valleys as well as The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater in northeast Oregon.
2020 Industry Awards winners from left to right: Dr. Greg Jones, Industry Partner; Moises Sotelo, Vineyard Excellence; Nahum Bahena, Vineyard Excellence; Steve Robertson, Outstanding Industry Leadership; Herb Quady, Founders Award. Not pictured: John Pratt, Board Service.
Following the “State of the Industry” presentation that opened the Symposium program, the Marketing and Communications elements of the Oregon Wine Board’s five-year strategic plan took center stage. Based on surveys and input gathered during live sessions with growers and winemakers in seven listening sessions held around the state last year, here are the OWB’s four primary areas of strategic focus in Marketing and Communications:
Board Directors and the OWB’s management team will be visiting various regions this spring to share our thinking in person and to invite your further input as we move forward.
Recent recognition for Oregonians in our industry was not limited to the Symposium. The Wine Enthusiast’s annual Wine Star Awards gala held in San Francisco on Jan. 27 focused on Oregon by bestowing the “Innovator of the Year Award” on the Oregon Solidarity project. Pictured here are Christine Clair, Ed King, Justin King and Jim Bernau, who worked closely with winemakers including JP Valot and Jason Lett and several Southern Oregon growers to bring the three 2018 wines to market.
The Solidarity project has already generated a significant donation to Southern Oregon growers and winemakers and recently earned more national media attention for Oregon in the Wall Street Journal.
Finally, to all industry members in the Columbia Gorge: please join OWB managers and Board Directors in a few weeks on Tuesday, March 10 at 5 p.m. for an informal industry reception in Hood River. We look forward to the chance to exchange ideas and hear your thinking about ways in which the OWB can more effectively support your region. Click here for event details and if you are able to join please RSVP to Stacey Kohler and bring a bottle or two of your wine to share.
Tom Danowski
President
MARKETING
Sign Up for Oregon Wine Month Webinar | Feb. 20
Oregon Wine Month is coming up in May, presenting our community a powerful opportunity to join together to make a big impact in the marketplace. Register to join a webinar on Feb. 20 to learn about the elements of the 2020 activity plan, including consumer communications, restaurant engagement and point of sale materials.
Wine Spectator is offering cooperative advertising opportunities during Oregon Wine Month in May as well as in October, providing exposure in the magazine at a more affordable price than standalone advertising. Participation is first-come, first-served, and only a few spaces remain available. The May deadline is Feb. 20 and the October deadline is July 16.
Oregon Wine Month POS Available to Order for Tasting Rooms and Distributors | Deadline: March 2
The Oregon Wine Month 2020 toolkit is live and point of sale materials are ready for order. The OWB will print and ship POS materials to any distributor nationwide or Oregon tasting room interested in showcasing this annual celebration of Oregon wine. Let your wholesale partners know, and place your orders by March 2.
Sign Up to Pour at Total Wine During Oregon Wine Month
Total Wine & More is planning to celebrate Oregon Wine Month this May in their 193 stores across 20 states. During this focus period, they want to bring as many Oregon wineries as possible to their stores to pour for shoppers. Wineries with placements in Total Wine are invited to sign up for in-store tasting events at locations around the country.
WUSATA Trade Mission to the Philippines and Malaysia | April 20-24
The Western United States Agriculture Trade Association (WUSATA), in conjunction with USDA, will host a trade mission to the Philippines and Malaysia April 20-24. To learn more, read a message about this opportunity from Bob Morus, Oregon Wine Board Chair and International Committee Chair.
Sovos/ShipCompliant recently released its 2020 Direct to Consumer Wine Shipping Report. This report shows Oregon’s DTC shipment volume grew 13.1% in 2019 compared with the national category average of 7.4%. On Feb. 26, Sovos/ShipCompliant will conduct a 30-minute webinar arranged by the WVWA to review the Oregon data from the report.
Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research RFA | Deadline: March 13
The Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research (NCSFR), funded by the USDA Agricultural Research Service, has released a Request for Applications for FY2020 funding. The full RFA and supporting information is posted on the NCSFR website and the deadline for submission is March 13.
Subscribe to OWRI’s Vine to Wine Newsletter
The Oregon Wine Research Institute at OSU publishes a monthly e-newsletter, Vine to Wine, and all members of the Oregon grape growing and winemaking community are encouraged to subscribe. Vine to Wine includes news and information regarding programs, events, advances in research, resources in your area and much more.
February 2020 Weather and Climate Forecast
On Feb. 3, Dr. Greg Jones of Linfield College published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at January conditions and forecasts conditions for February, March and April.
EDUCATION
Vineyard & Winery Accounting 101 & 201 Webinar Recordings Available to View
The OWB recently sponsored two webinars on vineyard and winery accounting. In Accounting 101, the presenters discussed how to read financial statements to determine profitability and the process of inventory costing. In Accounting 201, they covered how to build a cost analysis program for a vineyard and wine brand
Biochar 101 Workshop | Feb. 27-28
OWB and OSU have partnered with Tualatin Soil Water Conservation District to bring a free two-day Biochar 101 workshop to Oregon growers, farmers and producers. Register to attend one or both days of this hands-on workshop.
2019 Oregon Vintage Report Conference | March 2
Register for the 2019 Oregon Vintage Report conference, which takes a detailed look at winegrowing trends from the most recent vintage. During this technical conference, presenters will analyze the 2019 climate and discuss what impact it had on phenolic trends. They will also provide an advanced focus on the Willamette Valley along with an introduction to the world’s most advanced understanding of testing for smoke impact.
Wine Marketing & Tourism Conference | March 3-5
Registration is open for the 2020 Wine Marketing & Tourism Conference taking place in Eugene March 3-5. Wineries, winery associations, destination marketing organizations, marketing agencies and media are all welcome and invited to attend.
Vineyard Management Online Class with Dr. Patty Skinkis | Spring 2020
OSU Professor and Viticulture Extension Specialist Dr. Patty Skinkis will be teaching a non-credit online course suited to current industry professionals or those interested in entering the industry who are looking to increase their viticulture or wine grape production knowledge. The course focuses on the impact of vineyard management decisions on grapevine physiology and economics. Registration is required, and space is limited.
Travel Oregon Rural Tourism Conference | April 26-28
Travel Oregon is hosting its first-ever Rural Tourism Conference this spring. The primary purpose of this event is to support destination management organizations, businesses and industry partners in cities with populations of less than 25,000 that are not adjacent to, or part of, an urban or metropolitan area. Anyone who works in or with Oregon rural communities is invited to attend.
OPPORTUNITIES
2020 Wine Country Plates Grant Applications | Deadline: Feb. 21
Travel Oregon will be accepting applications for 2020 Wine Country Plates matching grants through Feb. 21. These grants are available to non-profit organizations for projects promoting wine and/or culinary tourism. Requests for letters of support from OWB are best made by sending us a draft letter outlining what you believe will be most helpful to support of your application.
OTHER NEWS
Latest James Suckling Oregon Report Published
Fresh off the heels of a January tasting of more than 450 Oregon wines, Nick Stock, executive editor of JamesSuckling.com, has published his latest Oregon report with glowing reviews. Our summary shares the 10 highest-scoring wines and a link to the full report, accessible via subscription.
