APRIL 20, 2026

A Note from the OWB

Dear Industry Colleagues:

As we head into May, we’re kicking off Oregon Wine Month and the start of our industry’s busiest tourism season. This is a key moment to create energy in your tasting rooms, connect with visitors, and celebrate what makes Oregon wine so special.

We encourage you to make the most of the month ahead by creating a festive atmosphere, reminding your teams to share the Oregon Wine Month story, and thanking your customers for choosing Oregon wine. Small touches go a long way in building memorable experiences.

We’re supporting the season in a number of ways, from national marketing and media visibility to upcoming educational opportunities and industry programming. With Earth Day just around the corner, it’s also a great time to highlight the sustainability story that sets Oregon apart.

Thank you for all you do to represent Oregon wine. We’re excited to build momentum together this spring and into the summer ahead.

—Your Oregon Wine Board Team

Marketing

Participate in Oregon Wine Month 2026

Oregon Wine Month has officially kicked off, with campaign activity now live and building toward peak visibility in May. Now is the time to activate. Aligning your efforts over the next several weeks helps maximize visibility while Oregon wine is top of mind with consumers.

Ways to plug in right now:

Post using #OregonWineAdventure and tag @OregonWineBoard to align with paid and organic social activity
Join us in participating in #ShareAndPairSundays
Leverage retail and media momentum in your local markets
Add your events to the OWB event calendar for amplification
Highlight Oregon Wine Month in your tasting room, email marketing, and website

The Oregon Wine Month Toolkit remains available with updated assets, messaging, campaign details and partner information to support your efforts.

This is a key moment to build momentum together and drive awareness, visitation, and sales for Oregon wine.

Oregon Wine Creator Partnerships

We’re inviting creators to partner with us to showcase Oregon wine in May and June through our Oregon Wine Creator Partnerships program. If you work with influencers or content creators, we’d greatly appreciate you sharing this opportunity with those who would be a strong fit.

Oregon Wine Touring Guide 2026-2027 Now Available

Order a complimentary 40-count case for your tasting room and view the digital version online.

Education

WAVE Seminar on The State of Smoke Science | April 22, Richland, WA

WAVE (Washington Advancements in Viticulture & Enology) presents the latest U.S. smoke research at a one-day seminar at WSU TriCities campus on April 22. View the agenda and register here.

PNW DTC Wine Symposium | April 28, Prosser, WA

Join wine marketing and sales professionals from around the region at the first PNW-focused DTC Wine Symposium. This one-day conference focuses on practical strategies to grow sales, deepen loyalty, and strengthen customer experiences.

Oregon DTC Webinar with Community Benchmark & WISE | April 30

Register and join this OWB-hosted DTC Insights webinar that brings together data from Community Benchmark, peer insights from top performing tasting rooms, and practical lessons from WISE’s latest Willamette Valley secret shopper analysis. This session will deliver valuable, practical takeaways ahead of peak visitation season.

Accessible Tourism Ambassador Training | May 1, Newberg

Southern Oregon University’s School of Business is conducting an Accessible Tourism Ambassador Training for wine professionals at the Chehalem Cultural Center in Newberg. The session focuses on improving accessibility across visitor experiences. A brief survey is required; there is no cost to participate.

US Sustainable Winegrowing Summit | May 6-7, Walla Walla

OWB is co-hosting the 4th US Sustainable Winegrowing Summit, which brings together industry leaders for panels, case studies, and cross-industry perspectives on sustainability.

Research

April 2026 Weather and Climate Forecast

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

Research Study: The Impact of Tariff Policies on the U.S. Wine Industry

The Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University is conducting a study of how tariff and trade policy changes are affecting U.S. wineries and shaping their business strategies. The findings are anticipated to inform both academic research and industry practice. All Oregon wineries are invited to participate in this research study by the May 10 deadline.

Survey: Help Shape the Future of Oregon’s Wine Workforce

The Oregon Wine Brotherhood is partnering with Oregon State University to better understand the future staffing needs of Oregon wineries and vineyards. Their goal is to ensure scholarship funding for viticulture and enology programs is directed where it will have the greatest impact for the industry. Winery or vineyard owners or operators are invited to participate in a brief survey, which takes just a few minutes to complete.

Press

Media Highlights

“Between Two Worlds” in Wine Spectator
“The quiet rise of Oregon wine” in The Week
“Rooted in Responsibility” in Oregon Wine Press

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

Opportunities

New Producer Grant Opportunity from AgWest Farm Credit | Deadline: May 31

AgWest Farm Credit is currently accepting grant applications from agriculturalists who have a vision for their operation but lack the funds to put their plans into action. Individuals must have two years or less of operational experience or have plans to start their operation within two years of the grant application date. Successful applicants will receive a one-time $15,000 grant to support their operation’s growth.

Calls for Wine

Call for Wine: Oregon Wine Press Cellar Selects July 2026 — April 21
Call for Wine: VinePair Open Call Rosé Submissions — May 5
Call for Wine: Vinous seeks wines for its 2026 Oregon Report – May 12
Paul Gregutt’s Northwest Wine Guide — Open year-round

Industry Events

OWB Board Meeting

April 23 | Zoom | 11:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

A Taste of Oregon Wine History: An Evening with Iconic Women of Oregon Wine | April 29

The Center for Wine Education and The Oregon Wine History Archive is hosting a panel of influential industry women sharing firsthand accounts of the early days of Oregon wine. The event includes a tasting of older vintages from their wineries and discussion surrounding the wines. Learn more and purchase tickets.

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

Grapevine Newsletter: April 20, 2026

APRIL 20, 2026

A Note from the OWB