We know many of you are bottling or monitoring the vines as you prepare for crush, so I’ll make this quick.
First off, don’t miss this invitation to help us keep your winery profile current on the Oregon Wine Board’s tourism website as well as in Travel Oregon’s tourism information system. Your participation helps us prepare for the next system update, which will ensure that the range of trip planning resources used by consumers are accurate and up-to-date.
This compliment about the OWB’s Touring Guide came in last week from a fine wine retailer and it confirms the value of investing a few minutes to log in and give your winery’s profile a check-up: “We have tourists come into our store on a daily basis looking for information on wine country and your publication is a great resource for them.”
Another item to tick off your pre-harvest checklist: Save the dates for the 2020 Oregon Wine Symposium in Portland. It’s back on February 11-12. For those wanting to learn more about how to share a wine trial idea at Symposium, read further down in this newsletter. And with Symposium registration opening up in just four weeks, watch your inbox for reminders about early discounts on tickets.
Finally, this infographic was lifted with permission from the Capital Press. It’s a useful and impressive dashboard reflecting the vital signs of Oregon’s expanding wine economy. The data are aggregated and verified by Full Glass Research, a market research boutique focused on the wine industry. The full, 46-page report is published by the Oregon Wine Board and is available here. This information may be helpful as you talk with neighbors, lawmakers, media and others about the contribution winemakers and grape growers are making to our state.
We’ll come to you again asking your assistance in updating this valuable resource next year.
Tom Danowski
President
NEWS FROM THE OREGON WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION
The OWA delivered a brief update last week to the OLCC’s seven-member Board. The presentation provided some foundational perspective for the Commissioners about our industry, its history and statewide reach, our distinctive labeling and winemaking rules, the intensely competitive environment in which you operate, and some key metrics from recent market data as well as the economic impact study.
The Commission just completed a four-stop statewide tour during which Commissioners, Executive Director Steve Marks and OLCC staff heard from growers and winemakers about some areas of concern. OLCC also used those meetings to communicate about the procedures it will follow in establishing a rulemaking advisory committee, which will be made up of industry members chosen from among those expressing interest directly to OLCC.
As with all its rulemaking, the OLCC will follow a prescribed process that includes an open hearing during which public testimony can be offered.
OWA will have no role in selecting rulemaking committee members or in determining the scope and timeline for their work. We will however keep our Association members informed as we hear more about how the OLCC intends to move forward.
MARKETING
Verify Your Tasting Room Information | Deadline: Sept. 5
In anticipation of refreshing the digital flipbook version of the Oregon Wine Touring Guide this winter, please take a few minutes to ensure that the information we have on record about your tasting room is accurate. The OWB also provides your data to the Oregon Tourism Information System, which is maintained by Travel Oregon and shared with tourism partners around the state.
Wine Spectator Fall Advertising Opportunity
Wine Spectator is offering cooperative advertising opportunities in December’s Top 100 Wines of the Year issue, providing exposure in the magazine at a more affordable price than standalone advertising. Participation is first-come, first-served and only a few spaces remain available.
RESEARCH
Study of Wine Tourists from Key U.S. Markets
All Oregon wine tourism regions can benefit from a study recently released by the WVWA as part of its research to understand wine tourists from key U.S. markets. This comprehensive report segments wine tourists by several factors, including affluence and wine consumption habits, while also providing profiles of wine tourists from 10 markets. This study was funded in part by a Wine Country Plates grant from Travel Oregon.
2019-20 OWB-Funded Research Projects
In June, the Oregon Wine Board of Directors approved funding for a slate of 9 projects, as recommended by the industry’s Research Committee, that aim to advance quality grape growing and winemaking in Oregon. We will publish an update on each project starting this winter. Past updates are published on the OWB’s industry website.
2020-21 Viticulture & Enology Research RFA
At its August meeting, the Oregon Wine Board of Directors approved the request for applications for viticulture and enology projects to be funded in the 2020-21 fiscal year. Applications will be accepted via the Unified Grant Management system from Dec. 1 – Jan. 31 and will be reviewed by the industry’s Research Committee in spring 2020.
OWB-Funded Research Update: Examining the Impacts of Environmental Variations and Farming Practices on Wine Grape Microbiomes
Dr. Jeremy Weisz, associate professor in the Department of Biology at Linfield College, has prepared an update about research he is conducting to investigate how farming practices and geography may impact wine grape microbiomes.
OWB-Funded Research Update: Determining the Role of Auxin Response Factor 4 in the Timing of Véraison
Dr. Laurent Deluc, associate professor in grapevine genetics and genomics in the Department of Horticulture at OSU, has prepared an update about research he is conducting to understand the impact of auxin-related protein ARF4 on the timing of ripening initiation in Vitis vinifera.
August 2019 Weather and Climate Forecast
On Aug. 3, Dr. Greg Jones of Linfield College published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at July conditions and forecasts conditions for August, September and October.
CALLS FOR WINE
Call for Symposium 2020 Wine Trial Proposals
With harvest on the way, you may be thinking about exploring new winery tools and techniques. If you have an experiment or trial you would like to develop and share at the 2020 Oregon Wine Symposium, contact Scott Dwyer prior to harvest. You may also reach out with an idea for which you need help developing a protocol. The Symposium organizers are searching for three trials, ideally focused on viticulture, enology and a product/tool.
OPPORTUNITIES
Participate in Pinot Palooza L.A. | Sept. 28
The global Pinot noir event Pinot Palooza is making its entrance into the U.S. with an event in Los Angeles on Sept. 28. The event producers invite Oregon wineries to sign up to participate, with details available on the event prospectus website. Scroll down on the site for exhibitor details and participation fees.
Eugene Magazine to Feature Oregon Wine in December | Deadline: Oct. 11
Eugene Magazine invites all Oregon wineries to submit a bottle of their signature wine with tasting notes for inclusion in their Winter issue, which comes out in December and will feature Oregon wine statewide. The submission deadline is October 11.
Come Share Your Winery’s Story with the OWB
The OWB team always likes getting to know better the community we represent. Wineries are invited to sign up to share their wines and brand story with us in our office at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. This is a great opportunity for you to get to know our organization better, ask questions and share your suggestions.
OTHER NEWS
Thank You for a Successful Visit from The Wine Advocate
Thank you to everyone who submitted wines and hosted The Wine Advocate’s Erin Brooks during her three weeks in Oregon late July and early August. While here, Erin tasted through more than 600 wines and attended IPNC. Subscribers to The Wine Advocate will have access to her Oregon report when it is published this fall.
Find or List Grapes for Sale on OWB’s Marketplace
If you are looking for a buyer for your grapes, or are interested in buying grapes, don’t forget to check out the Marketplace on the OWB’s industry website. The Marketplace also includes listings for bulk wine, equipment and job opportunities.