We’re exactly four weeks away from the virtual Oregon Wine Symposium starting Tuesday, Feb. 16, and you can get registered right here. Remember the $30 per ticket discount is still available when at least four people sign up as a group.
Among the many Symposium highlights will be a presentation of new data from our latest economic impact study. That happens on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 18 and will include details on jobs, tourism and other essential measurements of our $7.3 billion statewide industry.
And on Friday, Feb. 19 at 1:45 p.m., the work of the past several months, during which industry members provided invaluable help in defining and designing a cohesive brand identity for Oregon wine, will be unveiled.
The pieces fit together beautifully, and the launch will showcase foundational statewide elements complemented by regional expressions built on the insights and aspirations of growers and winemakers across Oregon. Our marketing and creative team have a memorable and inspiring show in store.
In addition to the annual Symposium, the OWB continues to host monthly all-industry forums in which a broad range of topics are presented and discussed via Zoom.
The most recent forum convened last Tuesday. Important information was offered about the latest $284 billion infusion into the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program. This latest round of PPP financing is available even to those who successfully applied for loans last year. Here is the link to a recording of that meeting, and you can find the PPP discussion starting at the 30-minute mark. For those who are interested, here is the “second draw” PPP application, which can be submitted up until March 31.
Our next Wine Industry Forum begins at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9. Guest presenters from Travel Oregon will share new information about the upcoming round of Wine Country License Plate grants, and the CEO of pix.wine will introduce a new direct-to-consumer sales platform with suggestions for managers to make the most of it. Take a look at the agenda here and register today. All industry members are welcome.
Part One of Silicon Valley Bank’s annual State of the Wine Industry webinar was recorded last week. The hour-long session was hosted by frequent Oregon Wine Symposium contributor Rob McMillan. Register for Part II now since it’s coming up the day after tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 21 at 9 a.m.
In other news, we congratulate and extend a big, hearty OWB welcome to Governor Kate Brown’s two new appointees, Remy Drabkin and Dennis O’Donoghue. They began their terms of service last week as Directors on the nine-member Oregon Wine Board. Remy farms a vineyard in Dayton and makes her Remy Wines and Three Wives brands in McMinnville. In her off hours, Remy is a member of the McMinnville City Council. Dennis, a former military pilot and retired Boeing executive, owns Celtic Moon Vineyards and farms 42 planted acres in Eagle Point. Thank you both for volunteering your time and talent to the industry.
Finally, if you’ve been interested in helping shape the industry’s agendas in scientific research, education, communications or marketing, profiles of the committees corresponding to those areas of OWB’s charter are listed on the OWB website. If you’d like to learn more, or express interest in joining your peers on a committee for 2021, please let us know.
Tom Danowski
President
RESEARCH
Participate in the 2021 Oregon Wine Industry Labor Survey | Deadline: Jan. 20
Dr. Jeff Peterson at Linfield University invites all winery and vineyard managers to complete the 2021 Oregon Wine Industry Labor Survey. This will form the basis of the next Oregon Wine Salary Report. The study intends to mirror the Wine Business Monthly salary survey but focuses on Oregon, which is often underrepresented in the WBM report.
Silicon Valley Bank’s 2021 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 the challenges currently faced by the U.S. wine industry as well as the unique opportunities for wineries that lie ahead.
January 2021 Weather and Climate Forecast
On Jan. 6, Dr. Greg Jones of Linfield University published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at December conditions and forecasts conditions for January, February and March.
Update from Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research
The Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research (NCSFR) recently shared new priorities that were set during its mid-December conference, including those for viticulture and enology. They are also exploring how best to collaborate with small fruit industry groups and align their research needs, and have provided a general update on NCSFR communication efforts.
EDUCATION
Check Out the Speaker Lineup and Register for Symposium | Feb. 16-19
With a new virtual format comes the opportunity to host the most internationally diverse group of Symposium speakers yet. Along with wine industry experts from the West Coast, Symposium 2021 offers the chance to learn from researchers, winemakers and business leaders from Canada, France, Spain, South Africa, Argentina, Australia and more.
WAVEx Webinar: Does Vineyard Mechanization Pencil Out for You? | Jan. 20
WAVEx seminars feature research from the Washington wine industry in a condensed format. This webinar on the business case of vineyard mechanization dives into the mechanization benchmark study conducted for the Washington and Oregon wine industries by Dr. Clark Seavert, Oregon State University ag economist. Growers will learn how to use the free online AgBiz Logic program to see how mechanization can affect their profitability.
Unexplored Oregon: A Virtual Master Class | Feb. 2
On Feb. 2 from 1-2:30 p.m., the OWB is sponsoring a virtual master class called Unexplored Oregon. While this seminar is designed specifically for a trade audience, Oregon wine industry members are invited to listen in. Bree Stock MW will moderate a panel of Oregon winemakers for a multi-faceted discussion of Oregon’s winegrowing regions, varieties and styles.
OPPORTUNITIES
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Application Period Open | Deadline: Jan. 29
The Oregon Department of Agriculture is now accepting proposals for the USDA’s 2021 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Approximately $1.5 million is expected to be available to agriculture industry associations, producer groups, processors, commodity commissions, non-profits, for-profits, and local government agencies in Oregon. The application deadline is noon on Jan. 29.
Rhône Rangers Launches Oregon Chapter
The Rhône Rangers, the leading organization of winemakers producing classic Rhône varieties in the USA, is excited to launch its first chapter in Oregon. Membership includes a profile on the Rhône Rangers website, participation in monthly live consumer Zoom sessions and participation in national Rhône Rangers tasting events. For more information, email Craig Camp.
TEXSOM International Wine Awards Accepting Submissions | Deadline: March 28
The TEXSOM organization is now accepting submissions into its 2021 TEXSOM International Wine Awards competition. This esteemed competition aims to identify and champion wines of quality and distinction from around the world, supporting medalists with exposure through the extensive TEXSOM sommelier and wine industry network. The submission period runs through March 28, with judging in late April.
OTHER NEWS
A Conversation with Jancis Robinson MW | Jan. 28
Join Dr. Greg Jones, director of the Evenstad Center for Wine Education at Linfield University as he hosts Jancis Robinson MW for a conversation on all things wine at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 28. Registration is required. Robinson is one of the world’s most influential wine writers. She writes daily for JancisRobinson.com and weekly for the Financial Times. She is founder-editor of The Oxford Companion to Wine, co-author with Hugh Johnson of The World Atlas of Wine, and co-author of Wine Grapes. Each of these books is recognized as a standard reference worldwide.
Oregon Wine Industry Forums | Next Meeting: Feb. 9
Join the OWB and partners on Feb. 9 at 11 a.m. for the next Oregon Wine Industry Forum. These monthly discussions are open to any proprietor, employee or consultant of an Oregon winery or vineyard. Register for this opportunity to stay current on industry trends, connect with industry members across the state and stay informed on OWB programming and opportunities. Did you miss the last forum? Watch the recording.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The OWB’s industry website hosts a calendar that includes industry-facing events as well as events with significant industry participation. Consult it when scheduling or rescheduling events to avoid conflicts, and don’t forget to post entries as well.
Links to post to both the industry calendar and the OWB’s consumer-facing calendar can be found here.
