Contact: Linea Gagliano Oregon Wine Board
Director of Communications
[email protected]
503.729.6021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May is Oregon Wine Month
Culinary Industry Comes Together to Celebrate Oregon’s Award-Winning Wines and Wineries
Portland, OR, March 31, 2023 — Every day of the year is a special time to enjoy Oregon wine, whether it’s sitting by a crackling fire during Cellar Season, witnessing the kaleidoscope of colors that drip from the vines in the fall, or enjoying a picnic under grand oak trees in the summer. However, there is something about spring: while buds are breaking on the vines, culinary artisans throughout the state come together to celebrate Oregon Wine Month (OWM) in May. For a list of events to help plan your Oregon wine trip go to Oregonwine.org.
“Preparations for Oregon Wine Month are in full swing with collaboration from trade and industry partners nationwide,” said David DeWitt, Trade Relations Manager for OWB. “Along with our valued state partners, the Oregon Wine Board has developed programming to amplify sales efforts to connect with consumers that deliver an exceptional Oregon wine experience this May. We are seeing wine events pop up throughout the state and look forward to one of the best Oregon Wine Months yet.”
The Oregon Wine Board (OWB) works to enhance the reputation and awareness of Oregon wine. May is a time to collaborate with and celebrate vineyard managers, winemakers, tasting room staff, farm managers, chefs, and more for the elevated experiences they create, leading to a rising international reputation of the state’s wines and creating enhanced economic impact. Industry partners are encouraged to utilize the OWM toolkit to make it easy to take part in the month-long celebration. This year, OWB has several ways for current and future Oregon fans to engage in the state’s wine scene:
Pair It Forward Campaign
Oregon is a stunning location that has attracted culinary artisans to our cities, mountains, and shores for decades. Since the first vines were planted in Oregon, it has been lauded as some of the most food-friendly wines in the world. Because of this reputation, OWB is collaborating with chefs, ice cream makers, bakers, winemakers and more to share their favorite Oregon wine to pair with the state’s culinary delights. Follow OWB on Instagram to be inspired or share your own favorite food and wine pairing. Use the hashtag #Pairitforward to include and follow your favorite suggestions.
Sweepstakes
Oregon wine tastes good anywhere, but there is something special about enjoying the state’s award-winning wines where they were made. Whether in the lush rolling hills of the Willamette Valley, Rogue Valley, Umpqua Valley or Portland region, grand prize winners will select their own adventure with help from Oregon Wine experts. The trip includes three nights lodging and curated experiences featuring wine, food, and the cultures of Oregon Wine Country. Each grand prize will also include two roundtrip tickets on Alaska Airlines, who allows mileage members to check a case of Oregon wine at no cost.
Enter for your chance to win. All contests run mid-April – May 31, 2022.
Educational Seminars
Become an Oregon wine expert! OWB will offer several wine masterclasses, which are available to trade, industry and wine enthusiasts alike. These educational sessions will be led by OWB’s Education Director and Master of Wine, Bree Stock. There is no cost to participate.
Register for one or all the 2023 OWM Webinars.
Webinar No. 1: Sparkling Oregon – April 10, 11 a.m. PST | Register “Webinar No. 2: Regional Whites – April 24, 11 a.m. PST | Register
Webinar No 3: Regional Reds – May 15, 11 a.m. PST | Register
Webinar No. 4: Understanding the Soils & Climate May 22, 11 a.m. PST | Register
You’re also invited to view archived seminars here.
Driving Wine Tourism and Trade Interest
We know that wine and culinary splendors are often the impetus for planning a trip to one or several of Oregon’s spectacular wine regions. While outstanding wine experiences are available year-round, May is a special time where winemakers and restaurants hold special tastings and events. Once travelers get a taste of Oregon, they seek out products when they return home, which is one of the reasons OWB works to engage with members of the wine trade industry to make sure people can enjoy their favorite wines when they return home, creating a beautiful cycle of economic impact.
As a source of inspiration for travelers throughout the state, OWB produced its most recent Oregon Wine Touring Guide for 2023-24. Wine lovers will find all they need to plan their trips in this comprehensive 80-page magazine features more than 500 tasting room listings, maps of all the state’s wine touring regions, gorgeous photography, useful local knowledge, and detailed feature stories. Individuals and businesses can order issue(s) here.
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About the Oregon Wine Board:
The Oregon Wine Board is a semi-independent Oregon state agency managing marketing, research, and education initiatives that support and advance the Oregon wine and wine grape industry. The Board works on behalf of all Oregon wineries and independent growers throughout the state’s diverse winegrowing regions. To learn more, visit industry.oregonwine.org.
