The December edition of the Grapevine includesa reminder to fill out the Oregon Wine Labor & Salary Survey, the launch of the 2024 Oregon Vineyard & Winery Census, an update on TEXSOM Awards submissions, and more.Read more below.
Letter from Anna Maria Ponzi
Dear Industry Colleagues,
In my role as co-chair of the OWB Marketing Committee, I’m thrilled to share two exciting projects currently in development for the new year. First, a refresh of the long-standing Oregon Wine Month campaign. We’re bringing renewed focus to its intention through collaboration and industry participation. You’ll see updated programming and resources soon. Additionally, OWB will debut its first-ever Oregon Wine film, which will be shared widely and leveraged across multiple audiences throughout 2025 and beyond. This is a first for OWB and I’m so pleased it’s finally happening! A preview will be presented at the Oregon Wine Symposium in February – stay tuned for more details.
In my role as Director for the Center of Wine Education at Linfield University, I’m proud to announce the inaugural Graduate Certificate in Wine Business Leadership! This program is designed to equip wine professionals (and those new to the industry) with the necessary tools required to succeed in the wine business. As we navigate through one of the industry’s most challenging moments, this program will offer timely insights and essential expertise.
Taught by local wine leaders, the program combines graduate-level wine business concepts with industry-specific topics addressing real-world issues. Here’s a roster of courses and instructors:
Strategic Wine Production – Bill Sweat, Co-Owner & Founder, Winderlea Vineyard
Wine Business & Finance – Joe Orlando, ASA & Vice President, Exit Strategies
Wine Law & Compliance – Jesse Lyon, Partner, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Wine Sales – Rebecca Oliver, Business Development Manager, Knudsen Vineyards
Wine Marketing & Hospitality – Kitri Culbertson, Owner, Scarlet Communications & Maria Ponzi, Director of the Center for Wine Education, Linfield University
The Graduate Certificate in Wine Business Leadership will be awarded upon completion of four out of five in-person courses, each covering a key area of the wine industry. Classes begin February 10, 2025, and enrollment is now open. Contact us at [email protected] for more information.
I’m also looking forward to hosting guest lecturer Felicity Carter on campus in March 2025. Carter is the current Editorial Director of Areni Global, a London-based think tank, and was the past editor-in-chief of Meininger’s Wine Business International. She’s most recently recognized for her work on the controversial topic of Wine Health and the WHO’s recent zero-alcohol tolerance position. We hope you’ll join us for this importance conversation. Watch for more details.
These are just a few of the exciting projects we’re working on Linfield University, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to continue to support our thriving wine community in this way.
All my very best to you this holiday season!
(Anna) Maria Ponzi
Anna Maria Ponzi
OWB Board Director &
Marketing Committee Co-Chair
Marketing
OWB Marketing
International Programs Registration Deadline & OPC Candidate Nominations
As a reminder, registration is open for the OWB’s 2025 in-market International Programs. The programming listed below is intended for wineries to participate in-person.
2025 International Programs – Registration Requested by December 20
March 11: Copenhagen Tasting – Register
March 13: Oslo Trade Tasting – Register
March 16-18: Prowein Dusseldorf – Pre-Register
April 7: Toronto Trade Tasting – Register
April 9: Montreal Trade Tasting – Register
May 20: Osaka Trade Tasting – Register
May 22: Tokyo Trade Tasting – Register
May 27-29: Vinexpo Singapore – Pre-Register
OPC International Summer Tour Candidate Nominations
OWB is now taking nominations from all wineries for the Summer Tour associated with Oregon Pinot Camp (OPC). To nominate one of your key international partners or to learn more about the requirements for nomination, visit the nomination page.
Any questions about the OWB’s International Programming should be directed to Margaret Bray.
Give Oregon Wine Program Update
This holiday season, we’re focusing on promoting Oregon Wine as the perfect gift. Thank you to everyone who has joined our Give Oregon Wine campaign so far! It’s not too late to join the promotion on our social channels: tag @oregonwineboard in your gifting campaigns on social media, and we’ll help amplify your efforts! Let’s work together to put a bottle of Oregon Wine on every holiday table – the gift that brings people together.
Oregon Wine Media Library – Share and Utilize Imagery
As a reminder, the OWB has a media library that is available to the industry. To use, simply request access to the site, which includes professional photography of Oregon wine imagery. Additionally, if you would like to share your images for others to use, you are welcome to upload them here.
Education
2025 Oregon Wine Symposium – Early Bird & Group Rates Ending Soon!
The 2025 Oregon Wine Symposium returns to the Oregon Convention Center on February 3-4, 2025. Registration is open and Early Bird and Group pricing is available until Monday, January 6. To view the full 2025 Symposium program, click here.
Online Workshop Available: Introduction to Wine Storytelling | Jan. 15 at 9 a.m.
2025 Symposium speaker Lawrence Francis of Interpreting Wine will be hosting a workshop on Wine Storytelling on Wednesday, Jan. 15, focused on helping Oregon wineries unlock their unique brand stories, drive more event engagement, and activate untapped audiences. This preview of Lawrence’s DTC-track Symposium session will be best suited for winery owners or principals who may plan to attend one of the other Symposium panel discussions while their team members attend this workshop in person. Only 32 spaces are available. Learn more and register here.
Press and Media
Media Highlights
Oregon Wine Press Covers Oregon Wine on a Global Scale
Michele Francisco explores how “Oregon Wine stacks up” globally, both in scores and in testimonials from critical reviewers, for the Oregon Wine Press. Read more
End of Year Media Highlights & Recap – Stay Tuned!
It’s been exciting to see all of the media accolades for Oregon wines that have been published over the last several weeks. Oregon Wine has had a stellar ratings year and there’s so much to talk about that we’ll be sending out a separate communication to celebrate. Watch your email for a year-end wrap-up shortly.
Media Opportunities & Calls for Wine
Decanter World Wine Awards
2025 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) is accepting entries. OWB has teamed up with Decanter to encourage your participation. OWB will cover the costs of consolidated shipping and Decanter is providing a 5% discount on entry fees for up to five entries per winery. Use the code DWWA25-OREGON5 for your first five entries. Full details about the DWWA can be found here.
TEXSOM Awards Update
As a reminder, TEXSOM Awards early bird submission ends at 5pm CST onMonday, December 23. As long as your entries are in your TEXSOM account, you may ship in January with no penalties or late fees. Submissions are accepted through February 3, 2025 and the judging takes place on February 15 – 18, 2025. Use the TEXSOM Awards submission link on their website to log-in or create your account. Email TEXSOM if you need assistance accessing your existing account.
New: OWB Shipping Consolidation
Northwest Distribution and Storage (NWDS) will receive Oregon wines for a consolidated shipment to TEXSOM. NWDS can begin receiving the drop-offs now, and all wines mustbe received by Friday, January 17, 2025. Note that NWDS is closed on Dec. 24 and 25, as well as Jan. 1. NWDS address: 1745 Oxford St. SE, #150, Salem, OR 97302. The following form for NWDS must be filled out and attached twice to each box. For questions regarding media opportunities and calls for wine, contact Katie von Bargen, OWB’s Communications Director.
Research
Viticulture & Enology
December 2024 Weather and Climate Forecast
Dr. Greg Jones recently published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at November conditions and forecasts conditions for December, January and February.
OWB Research Committee Accepting Applications through Jan. 7
The OWB’s Research Committee is comprised of viticulturists and winemakers from around the state. The committee sets research funding priorities and reviews scientific research grant applications received in response to the OWB’s annual Request for Proposals. Click here to learn more about the committee’s work, requirements, and expectations, or to apply to join the committee. Contact Jess Willey, OWB Director of Research & Education, with any questions.
Wine Industry Business
Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research (NSCFR) Applications Open
Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research (NSCFR) has opened the Request for Applications window for 2025. With over $1 million in grant funds available, the deadline for submission is on January 10, 2025. Detailed guidelines, research priorities and eligibility criteria are available on their website.
Deadline Extended: Take the Oregon Wine Salary Survey by Jan. 15
As a reminder, the annual Oregon Wine Salary and Labor Survey is open for responses, and the deadline has been extended until January 15. This OWB-sponsored survey takes 15-20 minutes to complete and collects data on salaries and wages for the Oregon wine industry. The anonymous survey provides current and historical information on wages and salaries that can be used by vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms in planning and making hiring decisions. Learn more here or get started by clicking here. Please reach out to Jess Willey, OWB Research & Education Director, with any questions regarding the survey. Thank you for your participation!
New: 2024 Oregon Vineyard and Winery Census is Open
To better address industry needs, the survey for the 2024 Oregon Vineyard and Winery Census launched earlier this week, about two months earlier than typical. This new timing will allow the pricing report to be released in early spring 2025, and the full report in early summer. This annual census asks every vineyard and winery business in Oregon to respond with harvest, production, and sales data, in order to depict the year in Oregon wine. Learn more.
This survey is sent directly from research partner Bob Parker at the Institute for Policy Research and Engagement (IPRE) at the University of Oregon. If you are expecting to receive the survey and did not get an email on Tuesday, December 17, please contact Bob Parker at IPRE.
New: 2024 Export Survey
Does your winery export or are you interested in learning more? This year, the OWB will be collecting export data for the Oregon wine industry in a separate survey. This data is kept confidential, and reported only in aggregate, no individual winery data will be shared without the permission of the winery. The data is essential to OWB’s international program and is primarily used to report to USDA, who provides over 90% of OWB’s funding for international activities. Please, take 10-15 minutes to enter your export data from the 2024 calendar yearhere. The deadline is Saturday, February 15, 2025.
An visual overview of the three current
OWB Industry Research Initiatives is shown below.
Other News & Information
Join winemakers in the Umpqua Valley for the 53rd annual Greatest of the Grape!
Saturday, February 1, 2025
6:00 – 9:00 pm (VIP option available)
Seven Feathers Casino Resort in the Umpqua Valley
Indulge in delicious wines produced by Umpqua Valley wineries, with each winery bringing a red and a white wine for you to taste. Attendees will vote for the People’s Choice award, to determine who will be crowned the Greatest of the Grape! Other activities include a silent auction to help raise money for the Umpqua Valley Winegrowers Association, and the famous “Wheel of Wine” where you get to spin-to-win, while supporting a local charity. This is one of Oregon’s largest winter wine tasting events, which you won’t want to miss! Admission includes wine tasting, delicious appetizers, and a souvenir wine glass. For more details and to purchase tickets, click here.
Oregon Chardonnay Celebration returns
Saturday, February 22, 2025
2:00 – 5:00 pm
The Allison Inn & Spa
Immerse yourself in Oregon Chardonnay, sampling wines from over 50 of Oregon’s top Chardonnay producers. The Allison’s executive chef Jack Strong and guest chefs from Portland and the Willamette Valley will create perfectly paired bites to accompany the wines. New this year is the addition of retail sales! For more details and to purchase tickets, click here.
Grape Assessment Information: Sales to Canada
The OWB has received inquiries regarding grape sales to Canada. As a reminder: An Oregon vineyard who sells and exports grapes to a non-OR winery without OLCC permit owes $12.50/ton directly to OLCC.
For questions about filing the Oregon Wine Board Tax, contact the OLCC at [email protected].
OWB International Marketing & Export Committee Meeting
Tuesday, January 28 from 1-3pm, via Zoom
The OWB’s International Marketing & Export Committee (IMEC) will hold its next meeting in January. If you are not on the committee and are interested in attending, email [email protected].
