As harvest gets underway across Oregon, we want to wish you a safe, successful, and rewarding season. This time of year highlights the incredible dedication and collaboration that make our industry so special. We’re grateful to be part of this community and look forward to celebrating the fruits of your hard work in the years to come.
Sincerely,
Your OWB Team
Marketing
Share Your Oregon Story. Come Over October.
This October, the Oregon Wine Board is launching a storytelling-focused approach to Come Over October (COO) with the new theme: Share Your Oregon Story.
Creating a promotion, special event or offer to encourage visitation in October
Sharing your COO activations with OWB for promotion on social media and an upcoming press release
Uploading photos & videos for OWB to use in upcoming social media marketing
Share and post images or video that showcase connection over your Oregon wine. Tag @OregonWineBoard and @ComeOverOctober and use #OregonWine #ComeOverOctober.
Travel Portland Visitor Guide
OWB is featuring Oregon wine in the 2026 Portland Visitor Guide. We’re purchasing a full Oregon wine–branded page with space for about six Portland-area wineries or tasting rooms to participate at a discounted co-op rate of $950 each. This co-op ad puts your winery in front of travelers through 125,000 printed copies and 278,000 digital impressions. This is a cost-effective way to reach visitors as they plan where to sip, taste, and explore in Portland.
Email [email protected] by September 26 if you’re interested in this opportunity. Space is limited and will be filled on a first come basis.
The Oregon Wine Symposium is back February 3-4, 2026 in Portland! Sponsorships are a vital part of enabling the event, and a great way for vendors and service providers to show their support for the Oregon wine industry. Details on sponsor opportunities can be found here — please share with any partners who may be seeking more visibility in Oregon.
The Oregon Wine Symposium has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to identify a photographer to capture the February 2026 event. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please share this RFP with them. The deadline to submit a response is Monday, Oct. 6.
Seeking 2025 Winery Trials
The Oregon Wine Symposium’s Enology Program Committee is looking for any winery running a trial during the 2025 vintage that may yield wines to showcase at Symposium in February 2027. If you’re planning winery trials this fall and would be willing to bottle samples of your experiments to share with winemakers around the state, please send Jess Willey a short note with the following details:
Focus of the trial (what you hope to learn)
Variety & AVA
Specific treatments being tested, if known
Number of variables anticipated
Confirmation that 18-24 bottles could be available to sample
Your contact info
Research
Participate in the Oregon Wine Economic Impact Survey
The 2024 Oregon Wine Economic Impact Survey is underway, and input from vineyard and winery businesses around the state is vital. The survey asks for grape and wine production, sales, employment, and investment, and is a critical piece of the development of the biannual report quantifying the impact of the wine grape and wine industries in Oregon. Results inform conversations that help to educate policymakers, trade, media, and economic development groups about contributions and trends that are affecting grapes and wine in our state. More information, including FAQs and a preview of the survey, can be found on the OWB’s industry website, or you can get started here. All data is aggregated and kept completely confidential by our research partners.
September 2025 Weather and Climate Forecast
Dr. Greg Jones recently published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at August conditions and forecasts conditions for September, October, and November.
Press and Media
Media Highlights
Congratulations to three Oregon Wine industry professionals who received Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards nominations, including Stoller Wine Group president Gary Mortensen, Troon Vineyard general manager Craig Camp, and Hope Well Wine owner and winemaker Mimi Casteel. Read more about the nominees in Wine Enthusiast.
Congratulations to Bethel Heights for securing the first ever perfect score from Decanter for an Oregon wine. Read the article here.
Wine Spectator reviewed eight Oregon Wines, awarding high scores to Pinot noirs, Chardonnays, and Pinot gris. Check out which wines made the list.
Oregon wineries who are bottling in Revino’s signature reusable and light-weight glass wine bottle program are featured for their commitment to sustainability. Read the full article in Fast Company.
Oregon Wine Industry Awards – Nominations open through Friday, Nov. 14
The Oregon Wine Industry Awards represent a tradition dating back more than three decades. They provide the opportunity to celebrate individuals whose work has made a significant contribution to our industry’s collective success. The nomination period for the 2026 Oregon Wine Industry Awards is open through Friday, Nov. 14.
All are invited to make nominations, which will be considered by the Oregon Wine Board of Directors at its December meeting. Award recipients will be notified mid-December and recognized in conjunction with the Oregon Wine Symposium in February. Please direct any questions about these awards to the OWB via email.
Call for Oregon Wine Board Director Nominations
Each fall, the Governor appoints new Oregon Wine Board (OWB) Directors for three-year terms starting January 1. You may apply directly to the Governor’s office by Oct. 1. Click here for information about OWB service.
Oregon Ireland Sister State Committee Board & Commission Member Opportunities
A bill passed last session (SB0961) created the Oregon-Ireland Sister State Committee. The Committee will have nine members, seven of whom are appointed by the governor.
An opportunity currently exists for a Rural/Agricultural representative position. This is a great opportunity for an Oregon grape grower or winemaker to join in on this trade delegation.
Appointment terms are for two years and members are eligible for reappointment. The committee will hold one or two meetings per calendar year (meetings may be virtual). Learn more and apply here.
“Wine Characters” Interview Opportunity
Carl Giavanti is a winery publicist and publisher of “Wine Characters,” an international winemaker interview series that profiles the stories of winemakers and their wines. Carl is interested in promoting and featuring Oregon Wine in this ongoing interview series. If you’d like to participate, email [email protected] to request the interview document and instructions.
Roux is a citywide festival in Portland, Oregon featuring exclusive pop-up dinners, parties, panels and hands-on experiences highlighting women in food & drink culture from October 6-12. The Most Delicious Week of The Year brings influential women participants from all around the world including Chopped Challenge winners, James Beard Award-winning chefs and acclaimed food writers for an inspiring week of community and connection for food and beverage lovers of all types. Roux has opportunities for six women winemakers in Oregon to pour/sample at events throughout the weekend. Please reach out to [email protected] by Friday, September 26 if you’d like to participate.
Other News & Information
OWB Expands Industry Grant Program
The Oregon Wine Board has revised its industry grant program for FY2025–26, increasing the maximum award amount up to $10,000 per applicant. These grants are designed to support Oregon-based not-for-profit wine organizations in hosting and promoting wine-related events and programming that benefit regions, engage consumers, and strengthen connections with wine lovers. Read full details and access the submission form.
SAIF Resources on Worker Safety Wildfire Smoke Preparedness
It’s important for businesses and individuals to be prepared for dangerous wildfire smoke. As with any emergency, having a plan in place before there is a need could help prevent injuries and illness. SAIF, a not-for-profit workers’ compensation insurance company, has tips for what to do before, during, and after a wildfire.
