There’s still time to register for next week’s Oregon Wine Symposium. Don’t miss the group ticket discount when registering four or more members of your team, as well as the $60 per person savings for OWA members. We look forward to seeing you when the Symposium gets underway next Tuesday at 9 a.m. sharp.
And our industry is coming together for the Symposium at a time when Oregon is again envied by many growers and winery owners around the world. In this hyper-competitive global environment, which presents more complex challenges than ever, the fine wine consumer is demanding and willing to pay for Oregon wine.
2019 Nielsen data confirm Oregon’s off-premise dollar volume grew +12% in a wine category up less than 1%
SOVOS/ShipCompliant Direct-to-Consumer shipment data echo that good news, with Oregon winery shipments to consumers trending at +13% compared to the category’s national average of +7%
While Oregon represents 1.6% of wine sales according to Nielsen, ShipCompliant reports that Oregon wines account for 6.6% of the total value of U.S. wine shipped DTC
Presenters at next week’s Symposium will offer additional insights on the factors contributing to Oregon’s exceptional performance.
If you are among the many grape growers and winemakers interested in offering input to Oregon State University’s Dr. Elizabeth Tomasino as she designs research approaches to learn more about fire smoke and its volatile phenols, don’t miss the meeting in Portland right after the Symposium on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 8:30 a.m. To assist in her planning, Dr. Tomasino asks that you register here in advance.
Dr. Tomasino will be working with scientists from UC Davis and Washington State University in mapping out a multi-state fire smoke research project that will be funded by an initial federal budget allocation of $2 million, which resulted from Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley’s leadership combined with strong support from Oregon’s entire congressional delegation.
Congratulations to the organizers of the Assemblage Symposium who deserve special recognition for hosting a sensational inaugural event open to all women and diverse communities in wine. A gathering of 275 industry members, speakers and guests from a total of nine states gathered in McMinnville last month to collaborate for two days of seminars, workshops and keynotes. The agenda included topics ranging from current issues related to women in wine cellars and vineyards to personal finance and career development. The planning committee also generously budgeted to award 15 all-access scholarships to emerging leaders in wine. Mark your calendars for Assemblage 2021 to be held next January 12-13.
Finally, if the wet winter weather has you looking ahead to spring, mark your calendars for Thursday, April 16 at 10 a.m. when the Oregon Wine Board’s International Committee will hold its annual planning meeting at Chemeketa’s Eola campus near Salem. Winery owners need not be actively shipping wine internationally right now to attend. If you’re interested in hearing more about Oregon’s global opportunities, we hope you’ll join us to discuss the best ways to use OWB’s federal grant funding in 2021. RSVP here so we’ll know to save you a seat.
Tom Danowski
President
MARKETING
Sign Up for Oregon Wine Month Webinar | Feb. 20
Oregon Wine Month is coming up in May, presenting our community a powerful opportunity to join together to make a big impact in the marketplace. Register to join a webinar on Feb. 20 to learn about the elements of the 2020 activity plan, including consumer communications, restaurant engagement and point of sale materials.
Register for Vinexpo Hong Kong | May 26-28 | Deadline: Feb. 28
Join OWB in May at Vinexpo, the premier wine trade show in Asia. Vinexpo attracts buyers and importers from Asia and around the world, providing a great opportunity for producers looking to grow their sales internationally.
Oregon Wine Month POS Available to Order for Tasting Rooms and Distributors | Deadline: March 2
The Oregon Wine Month 2020 toolkit is live and point of sale materials are ready for order. The OWB will print and ship POS materials to any distributor nationwide or Oregon tasting room interested in showcasing this annual celebration of Oregon wine. Let your wholesale partners know, and place your orders by March 2.
Sign Up to Pour at Total Wine During Oregon Wine Month
Total Wine & More is planning to celebrate Oregon Wine Month this May in their 193 stores across 20 states. During this focus period, they want to bring as many Oregon wineries as possible to their stores to pour for shoppers. Wineries with placements in Total Wine are invited to sign up for in-store tasting events at locations around the country.
WUSATA Trade Mission to the Philippines and Malaysia | April 20-24
The Western United States Agriculture Trade Association (WUSATA), in conjunction with USDA, will host a trade mission to the Philippines and Malaysia April 20-24. To learn more, read a message about this opportunity from Bob Morus, Oregon Wine Board Chair and International Committee Chair.
RESEARCH
Subscribe to OWRI’s Vine to Wine Newsletter
The Oregon Wine Research Institute at OSU publishes a monthly e-newsletter, Vine to Wine, and all members of the Oregon grape growing and winemaking community are encouraged to subscribe. Vine to Wine includes news and information regarding programs, events, advances in research, resources in your area and much more.
Sovos/ShipCompliant 2020 Direct to Consumer Wine Shipping Report
Sovos/ShipCompliant recently released its 2020 Direct to Consumer Wine Shipping Report. Among other highlights, this report shows Oregon’s DTC shipment volume grew 13.1% in 2019 compared with the national category average of 7.4%.
Silicon Valley Bank’s 2020 State of the Industry Report and Webinar
Silicon Valley Bank recently published its annual State of the Wine Industry report and hosted a webinar to discuss the findings. The report discusses headwinds and tailwinds faced by the wine industry and offers predictions for 2020 along with a discussion of competitive category interactions and implications of shifting demographics.
February 2020 Weather and Climate Forecast
On Feb. 3, Dr. Greg Jones of Linfield College published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at January conditions and forecasts conditions for February, March and April.
Stakeholder Meeting: Provide Input on Smoke Exposure Grant Proposal | Feb. 13
Elizabeth Tomasino (OSU), Tom Collins (WSU) and Anita Oberholster (UC Davis) are collaborating on a research grant proposal to address smoke impacts on grapes and wine. Please register to join them in Portland the day after Symposium so they can get your input on issues related to wildfire smoke.
Participate in OSU’s Agritourism Survey
If you entertain visitors or conduct direct-to-consumer sales at your vineyard, you’re encouraged to participate in OSU’s Agritourism Survey. Part of a national study, the goal is to learn more about ways that farm businesses open to the public to develop tools and resources for farmers.
EDUCATION
Vineyard & Winery Accounting 101 Webinar Recording Available to View
On Jan. 21, the OWB sponsored a webinar during which industry solutions strategists Crafted ERP discussed how to read financial statements to determine profitability and the process of inventory costing. The recording is available on the OWB’s industry website.
Profit Planner Workbooks Relaunched
The Profit Planner online business planning workbooks have recently been relaunched with an upgraded platform and other improvements. Oregon winery and vineyard employees can access this valuable tool free, thanks to a partnership between OWB and Wine Business Education.
Biochar 101 Workshop | Feb. 27-28
OWB and OSU have partnered with Tualatin Soil Water Conservation District to bring a free two-day Biochar 101 workshop to Oregon growers, farmers and producers. Register to attend one or both days of this hands-on workshop.
Travel Oregon Rural Tourism Conference | April 26-28
Travel Oregon is hosting its first-ever Rural Tourism Conference this spring. The primary purpose of this event is to support destination management organizations, businesses and industry partners in cities with populations of less than 25,000 that are not adjacent to, or part of, an urban or metropolitan area. Anyone who works in or with Oregon rural communities is invited to attend.
Markham Heid, a seasoned writer for a variety of national lifestyle and news magazines, is seeking samples of Oregon Chardonnay for a story this spring. Please note, he will feature only wines that are available to purchase online.
OPPORTUNITIES
Participate in the New World International Wine Competition | Deadline: Feb. 7
Jerry D. Mead’s New World International Wine Competition is celebrating 30 years of service to the wine industry. Entries to the 2020 competition are being accepted through Feb. 7, and the judging will take place Feb. 23-24.
City of Veneta RFP for Community-Oriented Craft Beverage Business | Initial Deadline: Feb. 15
Veneta, one of Oregon’s fastest-growing cities, is investing in developing a vibrant downtown. It is inviting well-qualified entrepreneurs and established business owners to submit a proposal to be its craft beverage anchor.
2020 Wine Country Plates Grant Applications | Deadline: Feb. 21
Travel Oregon will be accepting applications for 2020 Wine Country Plates matching grants through Feb. 21. These grants are available to non-profit organizations for projects promoting wine and/or culinary tourism. Requests for letters of support are due to OWB by Feb. 7.
OTHER NEWS
Latest James Suckling Oregon Report Published
Fresh off the heels of a January tasting of more than 450 Oregon wines, Nick Stock, executive editor of JamesSuckling.com, has published his latest Oregon report with glowing reviews. Our summary shares the top 10 highest-scoring wines and links to the full report, accessible via subscription.
