AUGUST 16, 2022

Letter from Tom Danowski

Dear Friends, We know growers are tracking the accumulating heat units and monitoring vines while winery teams are preparing cellars and bottling to free up tanks, so I’ll keep this letter concise. We hope a few of you at least can squeeze in some vacation days before the fall frenzy. Wherever you find yourself on Thursday though, don’t miss this: 2022 has presented some weather shocks around the state, and those are reverberating through the season. As growers navigate the uncertainty, OSU’s Dr. Patty Skinkis and OWB’s Bree Stock MW have pulled together a webinar on Optimizing 2022 Fruit Quality and Yield. Register for the session two days from now on Thursday, Aug. 18 at 2 p.m. A couple weeks ago, this newsletter highlighted several Oregon Wine Board (OWB) resources for the industry, nearly all of which have been paid for already by tax and grant dollars. But here are a few items of interest not called out earlier:

Seven one-hour Zoom seminars were designed and delivered this year for hundreds of trade members and consumers. They’re still fresh. The sessions rank among the best introductions ever to the vineyards and wines coming from each of Oregon’s primary winegrowing areas. There’s also a bonus presentation in the mix on the future of farming in Oregon. This collection can be helpful in whole or in parts, with wholesale or retail customers, consumers, and with winery and vineyard teams for trainings. The links are all on our website under “Virtual Education Series.”

During the past couple virtual Oregon Wine Symposia, our wine industry members Colin Eddy and Jeff Lewis have delivered a pair of excellent presentations on demystifying the sometimes puzzling world of wine distribution. Both links from 2021 and 2022 connect you to the recordings so you can hear Colin and Jeff’s experienced insights and advice in their own words.

When looking for data to include in sales presentations that make the business case for Oregon wines, don’t miss this Zoom recording. Beginning at the 13-minute mark, the session revealed statistics that cement the argument for wholesalers, restaurateurs and retailers to pay special attention to Oregon as a high-growth segment in a slow-growth wine category.

Moving on, this next announcement is for those who would consider service on the nine-member Oregon Wine Board of Directors. Every fall, the Governor appoints as many as three new Directors to three-year terms. Her Executive Appointments team in Salem has set Friday, Sept. 30 as this year’s deadline for the multi-part application packets. Learn more about OWB service and submit your application directly to Salem. Questions about the process can be directed to the Executive Appointments Office.

Finally, Celine Fauveau starts her Oregon wine career today, joining the OWB as Insights & Industry Relations Manager. That title might sound like jargon to some. The “Insights” portion of Celine’s role embraces the V & E, industry, and market research commitments in OWB’s business plan. The “Industry Relations” work primarily involves communications with growers, winemakers, affiliated partners, and other stakeholders. Neil Ferguson had been serving in the role over the past several months but has now taken up our Marketing Manager position. Join us in welcoming Celine when you see her in Zoom rooms and meetings around the state.

Tom Danowski President

Marketing

Reminder: Order Your Complimentary Oregon Wine Touring Guides

As planning begins for the 2023 edition of the Oregon Wine Touring Guide, OWB is down to the last batch of 2020-22 editions and now is the perfect time to order copies. It is available for complimentary order and delivery to tasting rooms and tourism businesses throughout Oregon. This publication not only helps people find their way in Oregon’s diverse wine regions, but it also inspires them to travel throughout Oregon.

Education

2022 Oregon Wine Labor Survey Presentation Now Available

Since 2017, Sociologist & Anthropologist, Dr. Jeff D. Peterson, with funding support from the Oregon Wine Board and its Education Committee, has conducted a survey of Oregon wineries and vineyards to understand average pay across 20 winery and vineyard positions. The data gathered can help small businesses plan for personnel costs as they expand their teams. Recently, the team released their 2022 presentation, which can be viewed here.

Bilingual Workshop for Vineyard Workers I Aug. 30

Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center is hosting a workshop designed to train Spanish-speaking vineyard workers on grapevine pests/disease identification, biology, and management, and other annual viticultural practices. It includes a practical field session paired with a classroom session followed by lunch. The event is sponsored by the Rogue Valley Winegrowers Association. Learn more and register.

Press and Media

Wine Business Monthly Spotlights Oregon Family Vineyards

Oregon family vineyards and how they stay the course while exploring new horizons are the focus of a wonderful article in this month’s Wine Business Monthly, p. 74.

magazine article about oregon wine families

Portland Monthly Recommends Oregon Rosé

A handful of Oregon’s rosé greats were chronicled in this Portland Monthly article, with old school (the Erie) meeting new school (Monument, Cutter Cascadia) and some classic standards (JK Carriere) all being featured.

VinePair Looks Beyond Pinot Noir

This article by Julia Coney features many of the winemakers she visited last when OWB hosted her trip to Oregon in July 2021. The wines Julia selected span the Willamette Valley, Umpqua Valley, and the Rogue Valley as the winemakers and wines she tasted were from all over the state while also highlighting Oregon’s less famous grape varieties.

Washington Post Covers Efforts to Represent Industry Diversity

Oregon wine producers including Andre Mack, Leah Jorgensen, and Kate Norris have been mentioned in a Washington Post article examining the push to increase representation of diverse winemakers.

Media Opportunities: Calls for Wine

VinePair VinePair seeks Merlot for its Buy This Booze column and standalone wine reviews. Deadline to send samples is August 19. Learn more

Research

August 2022 Weather and Climate Forecast

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

Optimizing Fruit Quality and Yield This Growing Season I Webinar on Aug. 18 at 2 p.m.

Join Oregon State University Viticulture Extension Specialist Dr. Patty Skinkis to review how you can tackle the challenges of this growing season while optimizing fruit quality and yield. Dr. Skinkis will provide a detailed outline for best practices in the vineyard for the coming weeks to achieve high quality fruit without sacrificing yield. This webinar will feature current data and past research from cool and late vintages to address current concerns surrounding fruit ripening and yield. She will also answer your questions and provide a road map for navigating this unique vintage. Register now.

Northwest Center for Small Fruit Research’s Annual Conference Taking Place Nov. 14-16

Save the date! The NCSFR’s Annual Conference will be held from Monday, Nov. 14 to Wednesday, Nov. 16 at the Red Lion Columbia Center in Kennewick, WA. A room block is open for hotel reservations now and you can reserve your room here. Attendees can call (509) 783-0611, mention the conference, and get the room block rate.

Opportunities

Make a Nomination for the 2023 Oregon Wine Industry Awards | Deadline: Nov. 11

Nominations for the 2023 Oregon Wine Industry Awards are being accepted until Nov. 11. The awards recognize contributions to the industry in the categories of Lifetime Achievement, Founder, Outstanding Industry Leadership, Vineyard Excellence, and Industry Partner.

Apply to the Oregon Wine Board of Directors | Deadline: Sep. 30

The Executive Appointments staff at the governor’s office are accepting applications from industry members interested in joining the Oregon Wine Board of Directors for a three-year term starting Jan. 1, 2023. The deadline for submitting applications is September 30, 2022. Learn more about Oregon Wine Board service and submit your application. If you have any questions, please reach out directly to the Executive Appointments Office.

Other News

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month I Sept. 15 – Oct. 15

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, a small group of Oregon winery owners and winemakers who share a Hispanic background are coming together to celebrate in order to share their stories, display the diversity of the Hispanic cultures spanning most of Latin America and Spain, and as small business owners, give back to the Spanish-speaking community in Oregon. Each of these wineries will be offering special wine selections from Sept. 10 – 30 to commemorate this event and 10% of ticket and bottle sales will be donated to Ahivoy. Learn more.

Protect Oregon Wine Legitimacy and Authenticity. Join CA and WA in Stopping Counterfeits

The California Wine Institute (CWI) has obtained a USDA Technical Assistance grant for 5 years of funding to build a robust database of wine samples in order to determine authenticity. Oregon has been invited to contribute to this effort. This important set of data will provide references for wine varieties and winegrowing regions. The only costs to the winery are for the sample collection (50 ml.) and shipment to, or drop-off at, the laboratory. Samples must be comprised of 95% or more of the principal grape variety. Learn more about how you can assist in helping identify Oregon’s standards of identity, and contact Dr. Patricia Howe [email protected] for additional information.

Upcoming Events

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October 18

Grapevine Newsletter August 16 2022