Dear Friends,
Today we start the two-week countdown towards the 2022 Oregon Wine Symposium with enology, viticulture, and business sessions delivered online starting Tuesday morning, Feb. 15. If you’re not yet ticketed, jump on in. Register now for three-days of outstanding seminars and live exchanges.
One of the star presenters returning on day one of this year’s Symposium is Silicon Valley Bank’s Rob McMillan. Rob will be commenting on the 2021 national industry survey results and offering thoughts on the factors driving the +24% revenue growth trend reported by Oregon wineries. Oregon’s trajectory compares to +17% growth for the overall wine category.
Warm up for Rob’s Symposium session by viewing his Jan.19 presentation of SVB’s national survey findings.
In the same way that SVB data confirm strong, broad-market momentum for Oregon, the 2021 SOVOS ShipCompliant report focuses specifically on Oregon’s overperformance in the direct-to-consumer segment (DTC). Oregon’s DTC case volume increased nearly 14%, a 10x multiple of the wine category’s overall rate. OWB’s news release last week announcing the SVB and SOVOS reports has received enthusiastic support from media and is helping to further expand awareness and interest in the Oregon story.
SOVOS also provides this guide with tips on complying with each state’s DTC wine shipping rules, and here’s their detailed list of shipping rules by state.
Thank you to the nearly 170 wineries that have signed on so far to the Community Benchmark/WISE Academy DTC dashboarding and training program. It is made possible by a grant awarded to OWB by Oregon’s Department of Agriculture. We were glad to see many of you who Zoomed in for the first WISE session last week, which focused on helping tasting room teams understand their sales mixes andidentify growth strategies. For more information about how your business can still get in on Community Benchmark/WISE Academy’s sales tracking and training, visit OWB’s program toolkit. And don’t miss the session in two weeks on Feb. 15 at Symposium dedicated to this topic.
Looking ahead to upcoming events after the virtual Symposium, see OWB’s website to register for the next all-industry forum or OWB’s Mar. 3 Board meeting. Both will convene via Zoom.
P.S. A big pat on the back to Dr. Jeff Peterson at Linfield University for jump-starting the next Oregon Wine Industry Labor and Salary Survey, which tracks both vineyard and winery positions across the state. If he gets enough completed surveys, Dr. Peterson will be able to compare the 2021 information to measurements from previous years. The information supplied by business owners will go to Dr. Peterson and Linfield University, not OWB. Here’s the link to the questionnaire, which you’re asked to complete by Sunday, Feb. 20.
Tom Danowski
President
Marketing
Oregon Wine Month POS Available for Order
Printed POS is available for order now through March 1 on the Oregon Wine Month toolkit. Wineries, retailers, distributors, and any promotional partners are invited to place an order for complimentary printing and delivery in early April. Share with your trade contacts today.
Oregon Wine Month 2022 Webinar #2 I Mar. 1
Registration is now open for the second of two Oregon Wine Month 2022 webinars on Tuesday, Mar. 1 at 10 a.m. Join us to learn about the program’s DTC tactics, tools, and more. Register now.
Education
Register for the 2022 Oregon Wine Symposium: Coming to You Virtually in February, Then In-person in March
The annual premier education event and trade show for the Northwest wine industry, the Oregon Wine Symposium, will once again unite experts from the scientific and wine business communities to share the latest research, best practices, and industry expertise in a virtual format Feb. 15-17. Learn more about the educational program details and register.
In addition to the virtual event, Oregon Wine Symposium LIVE will take place in-person Mar. 8-9 at the Oregon Convention Center. The in-person Symposium will include six main sessions and mini seminars, a trade show featuring valued industry partners, technical tastings, continuing education and certification opportunities, networking, and socializing. Register to attend.
Diversity in Wine Leadership Forum x Change Cadet Presents Do the Work Series (Pt. 1)
As the Oregon wine industry looks toward expanding teams in the new year, a relevant article relating to diversity and inclusion appeared from Elaine Chukan Brown on JancisRobinson.com entitled Widening the wine world that is well worth a read. This article address a number of conversations around diversity and the current landscape for education and recruitment. There is an opportunity to engage in a three-part workshop coming up in April with Dr. Akilah Cadet. This series of workshops is specifically for leaders working on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging initiatives in the wine industry who want to do the work of becoming accomplices and learn how to integrate anti-racism work into every aspect of their personal and professional lives. Sign up now to secure your spot.
Press and Media
McMinnville Wine Classic Draws Strong Press for Oregon Producers
Oregonian wine columnist Michael Alberty recounted his experience as a judge for the recent McMinnville Wine Classic fundraiser. He wrote, “For seven hours, we tasted, spit and rendered judgment on the most Oregon wines I’ve ever seen assembled in one place.” Alberty also highlighted some new discoveries, including Flourishing Palm Cellars in Salem, Meraviglioso Winery in Newberg, Giovingo Vineyards in Carlton, and Awen Winecraft in Jacksonville. The Oregonian reaches 4.43 million.
Oregon Pinot Gris Receives Favorable Coverage in Pix
Writer Chasity Cooper, who visited Oregon in the summer of 2021, recently penned this article on Oregon Pinot gris, which may be the first full spotlight on Oregon wine on the Pix site. With 50,000 unique visitors in only its first year of existence, Pix is the world’s first wine discovery platform with e-commerce built in to the articles. Said Cooper: “I was so excited to write about Pinot gris after my visit during the Wine Media Conference last August,” and that enthusiasm shows with generous mentions of Antiquum, The Eyrie Vineyards, King Estate, Ponzi, and more.
Research
January 2022 Weather and Climate Forecast
Dr. Greg Jones recently published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at December conditions and forecasts conditions for January, February, and March.
2021 Vintage Reports
Dr. Greg Jones recently published vintage reports from a reference vineyard network in the North Willamette Valley, Rogue Valley, and Umpqua Valley. This is the last year for the research, which has spanned 19 years covering the climate, phenology, and harvest fruit composition in the regions.
Join the OWB Vit & Eno Research Committee
OWB is still looking for reviewers and members to join the Research Committee. Learn more about the criteria to join here.
Opportunities
Oregon Wine Industry Forum | Next meeting: Mar. 15
Due to the Oregon Wine Symposium, the next monthly Oregon Wine Industry Forum will take place Mar. 15 at 11 a.m. Register for the meeting to stay current on industry trends, connect with industry members across the state, and keep informed on OWB programming and opportunities. Register for the series of meetings.
Take the 2022 Oregon Wine Industry Labor Survey
Jeff D. Peterson, Ph.D. of Linfield University, is once again inviting Oregon wine industry members to participate in the yearly salary and labor survey. The study is specific to Oregon wine businesses and gathers information from 2021. It takes about 15 minutes to complete. Take the survey by Feb. 20.
Call For Wines: Paul Gregutt Launches New Website
Paul Gregutt, who previously reviewed Oregon wines for 23 years at Wine Enthusiast, has set out independently with his own media entity called paulgwine.com. He is asking for Oregon winemakers to please ship him current and upcoming releases. Learn more about this new endeavor and how to submit wines.
Other News
Registration Now Open for Governor’s Conference on Tourism
Registration is now open for Travel Oregon’s Governor’s Conference on Tourism, taking place Mar. 14-16, in Sunriver, Oregon. Health and safety guidelines are subject to change, but at this point in time COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative test will be required to attend.
OLCC Invites Wineries to Use Online Privilege Tax Portal
As the result of House Bill 2150, which was requested during the 2017 legislative session, OLCC’s Oregon Privilege Tax Online (OPTO) is a way for businesses who are required to file privilege taxes to submit their documentation and pay their fees through a web-based portal. Some license types are already reporting in the new system. OLCC will be onboarding wineries in the coming months. OLCC wants to work with the wine industry to make sure our partners are trained and prepared when the time comes to start reporting in the new online system. Learn more.
P.S. A big pat on the back to Dr. Jeff Peterson at Linfield University for jump-starting the next Oregon Wine Industry Labor and Salary Survey, which tracks both vineyard and winery positions across the state. If he gets enough completed surveys, Dr. Peterson will be able to compare the 2021 information to measurements from previous years. The information supplied by business owners will go to Dr. Peterson and Linfield University, not OWB. Here’s the 
Tom Danowski
President
