In order to be efficient and thrifty with the industry’s money, we want to avoid any waste that may result from ordering too many lunches at the Oregon Wine Symposium. Despite what you may think of the Convention Center’s food, meals there are not inexpensive.
So, we are extending the early ticket purchase discount for a couple more weeks to allow everyone who wants to join us at the Symposium to do so. Here’s the discount code: POSTCARD20. Please register by Friday, Jan. 27 for an accurate meal count, and thank you for helping us spend wisely.
Before we get to the Symposium though, remember to mark your calendar and register for the upcoming Oregon Wine Month webinar on Tuesday, Jan. 31. We hope you can Zoom with us at 11 a.m. that day for additional details about the strategy and support elements for ’23.
As background, you might like to have a look at this recording of last month’s industry Zoom when we first previewed the Wine Month package.
The OWB’s consumer website has been playing a more central role in OWB marketing over the past several months, and it will be important in the run-up to Oregon Wine Month 2023. We have been investing in advance to promote the site and generate new traffic for more referrals to AVAs and wineries.
Here are some flash numbers from the fourth quarter of 2022;
Total OWB website users increased 21% during November-December versus a year ago
New site visitors were up 20%
Visits were up by double-digit percentages from consumers in California, New York, Washington state, Texas, Massachusetts, Florida, and Illinois among other states
Traffic from mobile devices was up 37%
Outbound clicks from the site to Oregon AVAs, wineries, and wine trails totaled 3,605 for the two-month period, up 18% from last year
For additional metrics associated with OWB’s online programming, click here.
Finally, we could really use your assistance before the end of this month to ensure our Oregon wine industry labor survey generates enough responses for Dr. Jeff Peterson to present findings at the Symposium that business owners and managers can confidently rely on. OWB will not have access to any information provided in completing the questionnaire. Jeff works independently and will be analyzing data that comes to him without any identifying tags that could potentially be traced back to individual respondents. Here’s Jeff’s Survey Monkey link.
P.S. OWB Director Dr. Greg Jones has authored another insightful vintage report. Here is a link that should be of interest. This 2022 edition is specific to North Willamette. Thanks, Greg.
Tom Danowski
President
Marketing
OWB Marketing
Oregon Wine Month 2023 Toolkit Now Available
The Oregon Wine Month toolkit has been updated with a new webinar and discussion, a budget breakdown, a 2023 sell sheet, an editorial calendar, and a schedule. View the toolkit.
Register for OWB 2023 International Marketing Events
If you are interested in growing your brand globally, consider participating in one of the many OWB international events. To view the calendar and to register, visit the International Marketing page.
Wine Market Insights
Silicon Valley Bank State of the Wine Industry Report Virtual Event | Jan. 18
Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) is hosting a live, virtual event to review findings from the new 2023 State of the Wine Industry Report. Registration is required to participate and receive the link to join. Read more about this virtual event and register here.
Education
Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, CA | Jan. 24 – 26
The program features sessions and a two-day trade show. Speakers and conference schedules are available here. Registration information and program guide are available for download here.
Register Now for the Oregon Wine Symposium and Trade Show | Feb. 14 – 15
The largest, in-person, wine industry trade show and education seminar in the Northwest unites scientific and wine business specialists to share the latest learnings, best practices, and industry expertise. After two years of hybrid events, the 2023 Oregon Wine Symposium returns in person to reunite the Northwest wine industry for two days of learning, connecting, and growing together at the Oregon Convention Center. Register here.
Press and Media
Press Highlights
The Wine Industry Advisor’s “Most inspiring people of 2023” Features Remy Drabkin and Her Quest for Equity
In her article, a Universal Drive for Holistic Equity, Kathleen Willcox talks about Remy Drabkin’s social equity work as well as her involvement in environmental sustainability and politics as the first woman and queer-identified person elected Mayor of McMinnville.
Media Opportunities & Calls for Wine
JamesSuckling.com Requests Wines for 2023 Oregon Report
All Oregon wineries are invited to submit three different Oregon wines. Any variety is eligible, wines submitted should be available, or soon-to-be-released, and not yet rated by JamesSuckling.com. More information available soon here.
Research
January 2023 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.
2022 Weather and Climate Vintage Report for the North Willamette
Dr. Greg Jones recently published a vintage summary derived from data obtained from weather stations located at nine locations across the North Willamette Valley. Further updates, climate summaries, forecasts, and regional presentations will be provided at www.climateofwine.com.
Opportunities
Participate in the Oregon Wine Industry Salary Survey | Deadline Jan. 31
This survey, which started in 2017, collects data and identifies trends in salaries and wages for a broad spectrum of wine industry positions in Oregon. Past studies are available on our website. The findings of the 22-23 study will be presented in February at the Oregon Wine Symposium and available for use by vineyards, wineries, and tasting rooms in hiring and benchmarking. A webinar will follow in the spring to assist those interested in using the information for their business. Dr. Jeff Peterson of Vinum Docet, LLC. provided OWB with the survey link. Only he has access to the data respondents will provide. We encourage you to fill out the survey, it only takes 15-20 minutes to complete.
Roots Fund Annual Auction | Donation Deadline Feb. 15
The Roots Fund is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization focused on securing the pathway for communities of color in wine through mentorship, job placement as well as financial support for education and training in wine tasting, hospitality, and business. Their second annual auction will take place on March 5 in NYC at Tribeca 360. They are requesting donations of exclusive wine experiences or rare/library wine. Click the link to get to the Donate Form. If you have any questions, reach out to their charity coordinator: charity@therootsfund.org
Other News
Wine America: Legislative Opportunities for 2023
As the current Farm Bill expires on Sept. 30, 2023, Wine America will ensure that the many grant programs beneficial to the wine industry included in the bill, (such as specialty crop block grants and research programs) are maintained. Wine America will also be working on including an Agritourism Act in the 2023 Farm Bill, aiming to create an Office of Agritourism within USDA, to promote agritourism businesses such as wineries and tasting rooms. On Wine America’s agenda is also the re-introduction of the United State Postal Service Shipping Equity Act, which would let the USPS ship alcohol in states where it’s legally permitted. Read the full article here. For more information about WineAmerica and how to get involved, visit www.wineamerica.org.
Tom Danowski
President
