The February edition of the Grapevine includes an invitation to enroll in Oregon Wine Month participation, an update on current Calls for Wine, industry events and educational opportunities, and more. Read more below.
Letter from Jess Willey
Dear Colleagues,
It was fantastic to see so many of you turn out at last week’s Oregon Wine Symposium. This annual event is a cornerstone for our statewide wine industry, and a real point of pride for the Oregon Wine Board team and our event partners at the Oregon Winegrowers Association. It’s always inspiring to feel the energy of more than 1,200 industry members joining together to learn, share ideas, and plan for the future. Thank you to all the speakers, Education Committee members, and attendees for making it possible. If you have thoughts on what you’d like to see next year (Save the Date: Feb 3-4, 2026), please be sure to fill out your post-event survey or get in touch with me directly – I want to hear your ideas!
The late winter / early spring is a perennially busy season for the OWB team as we get ready to execute Oregon Wine Month, host wine critics, review research grant proposals, represent Oregon wine at international events, and much more. In the newsletter below there are myriad opportunities to plug into our marketing and media relations programming, to contribute to industry research efforts, and have your voice heard.
On that note, OWB has kicked off the development of our 2025-2030 strategic plan, and we’re deep in the listening phase. Members of our staff and Board will be traveling to Roseburg, Ashland, Salem and Hood River in March to host in-person listening sessions, and there will also be four Zoom meeting options for those that cannot make an in-person session. See the dates and sign up here. This is your chance to influence how the OWB prioritizes its resources and efforts over the coming five years – please participate!
As we all know, one of the unique strengths of wine is its ability to bring people together. We can take that approach to our businesses, too, as our Oregon wine industry has always found its strength when it works together. On behalf of the OWB team, thank you for your ongoing engagement with us. We hope to see you soon.
In community,
Jess Willey
Director of Research & Education
Marketing
OWB Marketing
Oregon Wine Month: Toolkit Update and Call for Enrollments
The 2025 Oregon Wine Month Toolkit is here! This dynamic resource will continue to grow as we finalize campaign elements, so check back regularly for updates. You can use these tools to kick-start your marketing efforts and make the most of Oregon Wine Month. You may register your events and promotions for Oregon Wine Month here. Together, let’s celebrate Oregon wine and launch the 2025 wine country tourism season with impact!
Tillamook Event Activation
As announced during our OWM kick-off webinar, OWB is partnering with Tillamook to be part of its Graze & Sip event on Sunday, May 4. Tillamook is interested in partnering with wineries who share their sustainability values. If you are interested in participating, we would love to hear from you by Friday, February 28.
Please direct any interest or questions about Oregon Wine Month programming and events to Carissa Cook, OWB’s Marketing & Insights Director.
Update your Oregon Wine Board Listing by April 1
The new Oregon Wine Touring Guide for 2025 is under development! We encourage all Oregon wineries to check their listing on the OWB site and update any outdated information. The toolkit for your listing updates can be found here. Thank you in advance for reviewing and updating as necessary, which will make this year’s process as efficient for everyone as possible.
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
Sign up for Regional Salary Survey Workshops
Dr. Jeff Peterson presented initial findings from the 2024 Oregon Wine Industry Labor and Salary Survey at last week’s Oregon Wine Symposium, and next month he’ll host four in-person workshops aligned with the OWB’s Strategic Plan Listening Session dates. Come talk with Jeff about factors for benchmarking the compensation you offer and how to consider the survey results in light of cost-of-living factors in your region. Sign up for a workshop here, and remember it’s not too late to contribute your data and help ensure your region is well represented.
Press and Media
Media Highlights
VinePair included three Oregon wines in its “Best Wines for 2025” list. Read more.
Two Oregon wineries were featured in VinePair’s 2025 Winemakers to Watch article. Read more.
Oregon Wine Press recognized Eugenia Keegan as its OWP Person of the Year. Read more.
Oregon Wine Press highlighted Oregon’s Black winemakers in “Uprooting the System”. Read more.
Media Opportunities & Calls for Wine
James Suckling 2025 Oregon Report – Now Accepting Submissions
Oregon producers are invited to submit up to four different SKUs of Oregon wine for the 2025 James Suckling Oregon Report, including new releases that have not yet been reviewed by JamesSuckling.com. The submissions for this call are limited to 400 wines, which OWB will track. One bottle per submission, any variety, although the emphasis of the Oregon report will be on Pinot noir and Chardonnay. Wines submitted should be those currently in the market or soon to be released. Full details for this Call for Wine can be found here.
OWP Cellar Selects – Due on February 18
Oregon Wine Press Cellar Selects | May 2025 Pinot Gris (including skin-contact) (+SPK)
Send ONE submission (TWO bottles) per brand of your current vintage. (Varietal-specific sparkling wine accepted.) Include retail price, no price limit and wine must be received by 5 p.m., Tuesday, February 18.
Please drop off or ship your submission(s) by UPS or FedEx only to:
Oregon Lithoprint, Attn: Cellar Selects OWP, 1315 N.E. Miller St., McMinnville, OR 97128
Drop off hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Questions? Contact Michele Francisco.
Decanter World Wine Awards – Entry and Consolidation Deadline Approaching!
2025 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) is still 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.
For shipping consolidation, send by Feb. 28 to:
ALLSTATE Warehouse, 7302 26th St E Suite D101, Fife, WA 98424
Contact: Ole Heiken at [email protected]
This week, OWB’s 50-person Research Committee kicks off its annual review of grant proposals for scientific research projects that address our industry’s top grapegrowing and winemaking priorities. Weigh in on how we define our research priorities – including marketing and economic research opportunities – through this brief research priorities survey.
February 2025 Weather and Climate Forecast
Dr. Greg Jones recently published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at January conditions and forecasts conditions for February, March and April.
Industry Impact Studies
EXTENDED: The 2024 Oregon Vineyard & Winery Census Survey is Open through February 28
The survey for the 2024 Oregon Vineyard and Winery Census will be open through February 28. This annual initiative asks every vineyard and winery business in Oregon to respond with harvest, production, and sales data, in order to develop a full picture of the year in Oregon wine. All data are kept strictly confidential by the researchers, and all data are reported in aggregate.
Information about this initiative can be found on the OWB’s industry website. The survey is sent directly from research partners Bob Parker and Jay Matonte at the Institute for Policy Research and Engagement (IPRE) at the University of Oregon. If you cannot find your unique link, please contact Bob Parker or use this link to start the questionnaire.
2024 Oregon Wine Export Activities Survey is Open through February 28
All Oregon wineries, regardless of whether they currently export wine, are asked to take a brief survey on export activities. This survey is being conducted by OWB’s international marketing services agency, Bryant Christie International (BCI). Learn more about this initiative or start the survey.
Opportunities
She Leads: Celebrating Women in Tourism Events
Sponsored by Travel Oregon, She Leads is a series of three vibrant events for women in tourism and hospitality looking to grow professionally and gain valuable career insights in a beautifully designed, community setting. Attendees will hear from creative influencers who are passionately leading in their industries. The three upcoming events include:
All events are held from 4-7 pm. Please click here to RSVP by February 28.
Linfield University Wine Lecture Series Opportunity
On March 6, Linfield University will be hosting Felicity Carter from the UK as she speaks on the topic of “Wine & Health: A Global Perspective.” This free event is open to the public, but registration is required. Learn more.
LIVE Annual Meeting: Climate Resilience
On March 11-12, LIVE will host its annual meeting, including a board meeting, an in-person event, and lunch by Chef Jack Strong. Click here for full details and to register.
Other News & Information
OWB FY25-26 Budget Process and Proposed Timeline
OWB’s budget development for FY25-26 is getting started. The detailed draft budget will be posted on February 17 followed by a public presentation via Zoom on February 25. Register here. Passcode: 528843.
The Annual Business Plan Toolkit includes timelines, dates, budgets, industry input form, meeting registration links, and recordings of public presentations.
We greatly value the input of all OWB stakeholders. We hope to see you at our strategic plan regional listening sessions this spring. You can also share your ideas via this form: FY25-26 Budget Planning Ideas. If you would like to have a more in-depth discussion, please reach out to OWB’s Chief Financial Officer, Sally Crawford. The submission deadline to be considered for the FY25-26 budget plan is June 1, 2025.
As part of our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan development, OWB will be traveling to regions around the state to host listening sessions in March, and you are invited!
Umpqua Valley/South Willamette Valley, March 3 – RSVP by Feb. 27
Rogue Valley, March 4 – RSVP by Feb. 27
North Willamette Valley, March 17 – RSVP by March 13
Columbia Gorge/Eastern Oregon, March 20 – RSVP by March 18
For those who cannot make it to an in-person session, we will also be holding virtual meetings on March 19, 21, 25 and 27.
Go here for the full schedule, locations, and to register.
