JUNE 19, 2026

A Note from the OWB

Dear Industry Colleagues: As we come to the end of OWB’s 2025-2026 fiscal year, we’re pleased to share with you some of the ways in which we have supported the wine industry through grants and sponsorships as well as media opportunities. Each year, as budget allows, OWB accepts requests for grants and sponsorships that support programs and events that strengthen and celebrate Oregon Wine. This year, the OWB Board voted to increase the budget to further support the industry during these challenging times. This year represented the largest investment OWB has made in supporting our broader wine community, with grants and sponsorships awarded to 26 organizations totaling $129,200. Visit our website to view all funded projects, sponsored events, and community contributions. Sponsorships accounted for $58,200 and supported local and national events that showcased and promoted a group of wineries, including events in New York City, Alabama, Tennessee, and the Houston Rodeo’s Uncorked! Wine Competition where OWB sponsored an Oregon wine educational seminar for the competition judges. Events here in Oregon included sponsoring the cost of a Utah Liquor Board buyer for immersive education at Oregon Pinot Camp; several regional event sponsorships, including Basalt Bash in the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, the Organically Grown Wine Conference, Malbec in the City, Blood of Gods, Roux Portland, and more. An additional $62,000 was awarded in grants. These dollars were primarily awarded to regional winery associations for the purpose of promoting their region’s wine and culture. Linfield University’s Wine Archives received funds for their Preserving Oregon’s Vintage Voices tour, and the Oregon Chardonnay Celebration (OCC) received a grant to bring media to the region to experience OCC and the region’s bounty. OWB also funded a familiarity tour and wine lunch for wine trade, media, and influencers adjacent to Savor Southern Oregon. OWB also receives requests for wine donations to support fundraising events for organizations that serve their communities through auctions and other events. This year, wine donations were made to the Wine Pull at the Make‑A‑Wish “Golf for Wishes” Annual Tournament, the Oregon Dairy Industries Annual Conference and Elliker Cheese Tray Event, the Oregon Wine Symposium Happy Hour, and official state events hosted by Governor Kotek at Mahonia Hall. As we close out the year, we will be working on our 2025-2026 annual report and revisiting our strategic plan. We look forward to sharing data and insights with you that demonstrate how OWB has serviced the industry with opportunities to promote and elevate Oregon wine. Thank you for all you do to represent Oregon wine. We’re excited to continue the momentum together with you in the coming year.

—Your Oregon Wine Board Team

Marketing

Oregon Wine Month Momentum Continues

Oregon Wine Month generated strong engagement throughout May, with consumer, trade, and media activity continuing into June. The campaign is projected to generate approximately 28.5 million impressions, a 78% increase over 2025’s 16 million impressions. Current efforts are focused on extending that momentum through media hosting, influencer partnerships, and regional storytelling opportunities that continue to elevate awareness of Oregon wine.

Media and Influencer Engagement

Last week, OWB partnered with Travel Oregon, Travel Medford, and Travel Southern Oregon to host more than 20 media professionals in Southern Oregon ahead of SAVOR Southern Oregon, providing an immersive introduction to the Oregon wine story.

Influencer partnerships are also underway throughout June, extending Oregon Wine Month visibility and creating new opportunities to reach wine consumers through digital and social channels.

Industry Events Supporting Oregon Wine

We are encouraged by the continued strength of industry-led events and programs taking place across the state. OWB was proud to support the Women in Wine Conference, Ahivoy Golf Tournament, and to sponsor media attendance at Queer Wine Fest. Events such as Rhône Rangers continue to showcase the diversity and quality of Oregon wines. These collective efforts increase awareness and engagement for Oregon wine year round. Please continue contributing to OWB’s consumer calendar and industry calendar so OWB can amplify your efforts. View the full list of OWB-funded grants and sponsorships made over the past 12 months.

Social Media: Keep the Oregon Wine Adventures Coming

Summer is the perfect time to share your Oregon Wine Adventure? Keep sharing your Oregon wine adventures and be sure to tag us so we can follow along and share the love! #OregonWine #OregonWineAdventure #DrinkOregon #SummerWithOregonWine

Education

Oregon Wine Symposium 2026 Session Recordings Available

Password protection has now been removed from session recordings and presentations from the 2026 Oregon Wine Symposium, which can be found on the OWB’s industry website.

2026 Virtual Smoke Summit Recording Available

The 2026 Smoke Summit, hosted by the West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force, provided valuable insights from industry experts on the latest developments in wildfire smoke impacts and smoke management, including current research, risk-management tools, and practical guidance for growers and wineries preparing for harvest. View the recording.

bw166-Gomberg & Fredrikson Webinar | June 23, 9-10 a.m.

All are invited to register for a June 23 webinar hosted by bw166 and Gomberg & Fredrikson. Topics will include a review of updated market data for 2025, year-to-date estimates volumes of beverage alcohol shipped into the US in 2026, consumer spending trends on beverage alcohol in 2026, and demographic and consumer beverage alcohol trends.

Research

Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research Spring Newsletter

Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research (NSCFR) has published the spring edition of its quarterly newsletter, with updates on Pacific Northwest research, news, USDA funding, and awardees, along with funding updates and new factsheets. If you’d like to get future editions sent directly to your inbox, sign up here.

OSU’s James Osborne wins ASEV Extension award

Dr. James Osborne, professor, enology extension specialist and director of the Oregon Wine Research Institute at Oregon State University, has received the American Society for Enology and Viticulture’s Anita Oberholster Award for Extension Excellence. Congratulations James on this well-deserved recognition!

June 2026 Weather and Climate Forecast

Dr. Greg Jones recently published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at May and forecasts conditions for June, July, and August.

Press

Media Highlights

“These Are the Grapes American Wine Insiders Are Most Excited About Right Now” in Food & Wine
“10 U.S. ‘Coolcation’ Destinations Where You Can Beat the Heat This Summer” in Travel + Leisure
“The World’s First Queer Wine Festival Is Coming to an End, and Guests Are Raising a Glass One Last Time” in Parade Magazine
Oregon Wine took home 72 medals in the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards, including including a Best in Show from Domaine Serene Vineyards & Winery and a Platinum from Alexana Estate.

Stay up to date on top stories featuring Oregon Wine on our Industry Press Page.

Opportunities

Pour Your Wines at OWB

We welcome opportunities to engage directly with Oregon wineries through visits and tastings at our office. These sessions provide a space for meaningful conversation, education, and connection with OWB staff. Wineries are invited to share their story and their wines alongside insights and perspectives about current industry opportunities or challenges. Learn more and view available dates.

Calls for Wine

VinePair Open Call for Chardonnay — June 4, 2026
Paul Gregutt’s Northwest Wine Guide — Open year-round

Other News & Information

USDA Announces Enrollment Period and Payment Rates for Specialty Crop Farmers

The USDA has announced payment rates and the enrollment period for the Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers (ASCF) program. USDA will issue $1.625 billion in payments to eligible specialty crop producers in response to elevated input costs and market disruptions resulting from unfair foreign trade practices that have hindered specialty crop exports.

Producers with a Login.gov account can access and submit their pre-filled applications beginning June 1, 2026. Producers who do not have a Login.gov account, or who prefer to enroll in person at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office, may request their pre-filled applications beginning June 8, 2026. The ASCF enrollment period closes on August 7, 2026.

These payments are authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and administered by the Farm Service Agency. The assistance is intended to help specialty crop producers cover production and marketing expenses in the face of significant market disruptions during the 2025 growing season. For more information and to apply, please visit Specialty Crop Relief Payments.

Fiscal 2026-27 Budget Revisions

OWB will present budget revisions to the FY26-27 v2026.03 budget passed in March at a public presentation for input. A draft budget will be posted by July 24 followed by a public presentation on July 29 at 9:30 a.m. Register for the Public Budget Forum.

All details including timelines, dates, budgets, industry input form, meeting registration links, and recordings of public presentations are available on the Budget & Financials page of the industry website.

You can also share your ideas at any time via our Budget Planning Ideas form. If you would like to have a more in-depth discussion, please reach out to OWB’s Chief Financial Officer, Sally Crawford.

Wildfire Smoke Toolkit

The Wildfire Smoke Toolkit on the OWB Industry Site houses a variety of resources and information to support Oregon vineyards and wineries in managing the impacts of wildfire smoke on grapes and wine. The toolkit will be updated as new resources become available.

Industry Events

Queer Wine Fest | Dayton, June 28

Queer Wine Fest brings together queer-owned, queer-made and queer-grown wines from across the country for an outdoor tasting and celebration that raises money for Wine Country Pride, a local nonprofit dedicated to creating visible celebrations of the queer community while connecting all people through education and economic activity. This event is the fifth and final Queer Wine Fest. Learn more and purchase tickets.

Blood of Gods | Walla Walla, July 17 & 18

Blood of Gods returns for its fifth year with the gates thrown open and the volume turned up. Heavy metal. Wild, feral wines. Art that doesn’t behave. For one day in Walla Walla, all of it collides into something louder, stranger, and more alive than anything you’ll find on a tasting-room calendar. Events include panels, a vendor market, wine tasting, and afterparty concert. Learn more and purchase tickets.

Basalt Bash & Barrel Auction | Milton-Freewater, July 24 & 25

The Rocks District Winegrowers is partnering with the Milton-Freewater School District with the goal of meeting the challenge of a critical need: expanding the delivery of mental-behavioral health services within the community at large. Events include a Global Syrah Masterclass, Wine + Tamale Tasting, Fiesta Block Party, and Barrel Tasting + Auction. Learn more and purchase tickets.

Method Oregon Grand Tasting Weekend | Willamette Valley, July 24-26

Method Oregon is a non-profit organization dedicated to establishing Oregon as a world-class sparkling wine region and telling the story of Oregon’s fast-growing traditional method sparkling wine movement. The Grand Tasting Weekend events include a Sparkling School, Bubbles Block Party, and special promotions at member wineries. Learn more and purchase tickets.

OWB Public Board Meeting | Portland, August 13

OWB Office: 5550 S Macadam, Ave., Suite 100 Portland, OR 97239 | Zoom | 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Reminder: Add your industry and consumer events to the OWB’s events calendars. Industry event calendar | Consumer event calendar

Grapevine Newsletter: June 19, 2026

JUNE 19, 2026

A Note from the OWB

Marketing

Oregon Wine Month Momentum Continues

Media and Influencer Engagement

Industry Events Supporting Oregon Wine

Social Media: Keep the Oregon Wine Adventures Coming

Education

Oregon Wine Symposium 2026 Session Recordings Available

2026 Virtual Smoke Summit Recording Available

bw166-Gomberg & Fredrikson Webinar | June 23, 9-10 a.m.

Research

Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research Spring Newsletter

OSU’s James Osborne wins ASEV Extension award

June 2026 Weather and Climate Forecast

Press

Media Highlights

Opportunities

Pour Your Wines at OWB

Calls for Wine

Other News & Information

USDA Announces Enrollment Period and Payment Rates for Specialty Crop Farmers

Fiscal 2026-27 Budget Revisions

Wildfire Smoke Toolkit

Industry Events

Queer Wine Fest | Dayton, June 28

Blood of Gods | Walla Walla, July 17 & 18

Basalt Bash & Barrel Auction | Milton-Freewater, July 24 & 25

Method Oregon Grand Tasting Weekend | Willamette Valley, July 24-26

OWB Public Board Meeting | Portland, August 13

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JUNE 19, 2026

A Note from the OWB

Marketing

Oregon Wine Month Momentum Continues

Media and Influencer Engagement

Industry Events Supporting Oregon Wine

Social Media: Keep the Oregon Wine Adventures Coming

Education

Oregon Wine Symposium 2026 Session Recordings Available

2026 Virtual Smoke Summit Recording Available

bw166-Gomberg & Fredrikson Webinar | June 23, 9-10 a.m.

Research

Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research Spring Newsletter

OSU’s James Osborne wins ASEV Extension award

June 2026 Weather and Climate Forecast

Press

Media Highlights

Opportunities

Pour Your Wines at OWB

Calls for Wine

Other News & Information

USDA Announces Enrollment Period and Payment Rates for Specialty Crop Farmers

Fiscal 2026-27 Budget Revisions

Wildfire Smoke Toolkit

Industry Events

Queer Wine Fest | Dayton, June 28

Blood of Gods | Walla Walla, July 17 & 18

Basalt Bash & Barrel Auction | Milton-Freewater, July 24 & 25

Method Oregon Grand Tasting Weekend | Willamette Valley, July 24-26

OWB Public Board Meeting | Portland, August 13

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