Dear Friends,
As Oregon Wine Month 2023 gets started a little ahead of its traditional May 1 launch, we want to highlight the shiny, new Zoom sessions packed with sensational educational content about Oregon wines and vineyards. These are designed to be all-inclusive for winery and vineyard professionals, hospitality staff, consumers and, of course, retailers, importers and distributors. The four-part series started up yesterday and continues through Monday, May 22. Click here, then scroll down to “Virtual Education Series” to register. Each seminar runs for about an hour.
Another way to get involved with Oregon Wine Month is to add your voice to the others across the state, showing some of our community’s favorite food and wine combinations. See the online toolkit and show us how you Pair It Forward. OWB, along with Travel Oregon, will promote the videos across social media channels.
The annual LIVE membership meeting was held in Newberg two weeks ago, and the agenda overdelivered on rich information and riveting speakers. LIVE’s distinguished guest keynoter was Jancis Robinson, OBE and MW (pictured here).
Also taking the podium was Dr. Michelle Moyer, a faculty member in the Department of Viticulture and Enology at Washington State University.
Michelle spoke about minimizing the effects of powdery mildew and reminded us that research scientists at WSU and OSU joined forces last year to update the Field Guide for Integrated Pest Management. It can be ordered right here for $33 + shipping.
Feel free to contact Chris Serra for more information about LIVE.If you are a winemaker considering ways to take advantage of the increasing international interest in Oregon wines, then sign up for this free webinar coming up at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26. It will be sponsored by the Western US Agricultural Trade Association, WUSATA. The seminar will offer tips on how to qualify for reimbursements of up to 50% on eligible expenses when traveling abroad for the USDA-grant-funded tasting and education events organized by OWB.To get more specific information on Oregon’s export program, open up this recording of the OWB’s March 1 meeting. It includes an overview of federal funding streams and the various activities that help support OWB’s market expansion objective. The international discussion starts at the 1:39:30 mark in the recording.And I can’t forget to mention that Bob Parker at the University of Oregon is accepting responses that will help him complete the 2022 Oregon Vineyard and Winery Report. Please contact Bob so he can connect you to the online portal for data entry. All information provided by vineyard and winery owners for this report is held confidentially by Bob and his research team at the University of Oregon. Neither the Oregon Wine Board nor any other organization or state agency has access to the business-level data provided.
In Memoriam
Our industry lost a pioneering giant late last month when Dick Erath passed away at 87.
A couple of Dick’s longtime friends sent remembrances testifying to the spirit of fellowship Dick personified throughout his life and, importantly, during the early days of Oregon’s ascendancy.
Ted Casteel, co-founder of Bethel Heights Vineyard writes: “we met Dick Erath in 1977 when we came to the Willamette Valley to take a look at a potential vineyard site in the Eola-Amity Hills. We knew virtually nothing about the area, and we were advised to consult with Dick Erath, one of the best pieces of advice we ever received. He visited our site, consulted with several farmers in the area, and, in the end, gave the place an enthusiastic thumbs up! From then on, it was full steam ahead for us. Dick continued to provide help and advice along the way, not to mention cuttings from his vineyard to start our own nursery. Dick’s remarkable generosity with his time and his experience and his network of contacts, and his sense of humor and optimism, permanently imprinted on us the fundamental spirit of collaboration and openness of the Oregon winegrowing community.”
And Allen Holstein, vineyard owner & author of The Grape Whisperers, remembers: “Dick Erath gave me my first job in the Oregon wine industry to manage his vineyards in 1980. I saw first hand the personal and family sacrifices he made in making out of pocket investments in Oregon vineyards and wines. It was for sure not an easy task. These were foundational to all of us. His pioneering of trial and error of the 70’s and 80’s led to the success that Oregon wines are now famously recognized around the globe. We all owe Dick Erath a debt of gratitude.”
Rest In Peace, Dick.
Oregon Wine Press will be writing a tribute for Dick Erath in their June issue. They would like to hear from you.
Tom Danowski
President
Marketing
OWB Marketing
Pair It Forward Campaign Celebrates Food and Wine
To celebrate Oregon Wine Month, OWB has launched a social media campaign called Pair It Forward (#pairitforward). This campaign uses short videos in which Oregon winemakers, chefs, or artisan food producers talk about their favorite wine and food pairings. Visit the Pair It Forward toolkit for a detailed overview of the campaign, including instructions on how to film your video.
Order Your 2023-24 Oregon Wine Touring Guides
The 2023-24 edition of the Oregon Wine Touring Guide is now available. This guide is a magazine and digital book meant to inspire more visits to your tasting rooms by locals and out-of-towners alike. It makes a wonderful addition to any tasting room and wine club shipments. Wineries, restaurants and hotels are encouraged to order complimentary boxes in our Touring Guide Toolkit.
Wine Industry Insights
IWSR’s Consumer Barometer on Price Sensitivity
Preliminary 2022 data shows all major categories across the total beverage alcohol industry in the US including wine posted growth across premium-plus price tiers (which refers to all price bands from premium to prestige). While total volumes of wine (-2%) declined in the US in 2022, the premium-plus segments grew: wine (+6%). Read the report.
IWSR‘s Key Trends Driving the US Wine Market in 2023
This report analyzes the performance and outlook for the US wine market. Read the report.
Concours Mondial Reviews 2022 Sparkling Wine Industry
The global sparkling wine market is anticipated to continue growing in the coming years. Factors such as rising disposable income, changing consumer preferences, and the popularity of sparkling wine as a celebratory drink are expected to support growth in the category. Read more.
Education
Register for Dr. Jeff Peterson’s Webinar on Salary Survey Findings | April 13 at 10 a.m.
Join sociologist Dr. Jeff Peterson for his webinar providing an in-depth analysis and interpretation of the 2022 Oregon Wine Industry Labor and Salary survey. Dr. Peterson will provide insights and comparisons into regional cost of living, new and growing roles in the industry, and strategies to improve equitable salary solutions. Register here.
Register and Share Oregon Wine Month Educational webinars
For Oregon Wine Month, OWB is hosting a series of educational webinars. Trade and industry members are invited to join OWB Director of Education Bree Stock MW as she takes a close look at the styles, varietals, and terroirs that make Oregon wines so diverse. These masterclasses take place Mondays at 11 a.m. For more information visit our website.
Webinar No. 2: Regional Whites | April 24, 11 a.m. Register
Webinar No. 3: Regional Reds | May 15, 11 a.m. Register
Webinar No. 4: Understanding Soils & Climate | May 22, 11 a.m. Register
Press and Media
Press Highlights
OPB Superabundant Highlights Oregon Chardonnay
Oregon Chardonnay is having a moment. A new generation of winemakers is pushing the boundaries of what our region can do. With some key scientific advances, and a better understanding of our soils and terroir, Oregon chardonnays are breaking into numerous “best of” lists and commanding premium prices. View the Video.
The Drinks Business Reports on Vinexpo Asia Singapore choosing USA as Country of Honour
Three wine regions: California, Oregon and Washington will share a pavilion and will host a series of masterclasses led by renowned writer Elaine Chukan Brown and Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein. Read MoreJancisRobinson.com Features One of the Four Remaining Family Owned Founder Wineries of Oregon
Tamlyn Currin tells the story of one of Oregon’s founding families and describes Elk Cove 2020 Pinot Estate Noir as “A juicy, earthy, sustainably grown Pinot from one of Oregon’s founding families – and at a good price”. Read more
Media Opportunities & Calls for Wine
TEXSOM International Wine Awards Accepting Wine Submissions | Deadline April 14
Judging for TEXSOM International Wine Awards (TIWA) will occur from April 30 through May 3, 2023, in Irving, Texas. Wineries do not have to have distribution in Texas to submit entries. OWB has partnered with FedEx to support this opportunity and can cover ground shipping for your wine entries. Shipping details and instructions are available on our website.
Oregon Wine Press (OWP) is seeking Muller Thurgau | Deadline April 27
Oregon Wine Press is planning to feature Muller Turgau in their August Issue. Find out more.
Research
March 2023 Weather and Climate Forecast
Dr. Greg Jones recently published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at March conditions and forecasts conditions for April, May and June.
Opportunities
Wine Industry Network (WIN) Webinar: The Future of Logistics | April 13
G3’s Director of Business Development, Nicole Ostertag, will be hosting a webinar on the future of logistics to share her expertise. Over the course of 30 minutes, she will provide insights on some of the most significant challenges facing us this year, including new regulatory threats and transport updates. Register here.
Linfield BIPOC Wine Industry Symposium | April 13
Nationally recognized BIPOC wine industry leaders will share thoughts on how the industry can better recruit, engage, and retain the BIPOC community as consumers, employees, and future leaders. Find out more and register here.
Other News
Our Legacy Harvested Received Travel Oregon’s Tourism Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion Award
ThisAward celebrates a business or destination that has demonstrated leadership in raising awareness, or facilitating change, to build a more inclusive and welcoming environment for visitors to Oregon. Our Legacy Harvested’s Tiquette Bramlett received this year’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award. She is committed to helping create opportunities for diversity at all levels of Oregon winemaking—and has already done so through her commitment to Our Legacy Harvested. Read more.
Wine Industry Network Advisor offers a recap on Ingredient Labeling
Wine Ingredient Labeling is already a reality in Europe, and is coming to the U.S. soon. Michael Kaiser, WineAmerica’s Executive Vice President and Director of Government Affairs says “ We just want the format to be as least invasive as possible.” Read, what producers need to know to get ready?
Oregon Grape Quarantine: New Requirements for New Plantings
If you are planting grapevines this year, be aware of new rule changes that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2023. The Oregon Grape Quarantine now requires all plants purchased from outside the state to be certified. Learn more about this rule change here. If you are interested in having your out-of-state shipments tested by the Oregon Department of Agriculture for free, read the handout and complete the request form.
Tom Danowski
President
