Canadian Sommelier Multi-State Tour Recap

In October 2016, OWB hosted a group of 12 sommeliers from various regions in Canada including Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. This was the first time Oregon collaborated with California, New York and Washington on a successful inbound tour that visited all three West Coast states. After visiting California and attending a New York wine tasting there, the sommeliers spent a day and a half in Oregon, which included a Southern Oregon dinner and stops at wineries in the Willamette Valley before continuing on to Washington. This tour generated an increase in sales of Oregon wines in Canadian markets and generated additional placements on restaurant menus in the various provinces. The USDA funded this tour with a grant, and due to its success the USDA will be funding a second grant to replicate this tour with a focus on trade members from Denmark.