In just a couple days, on Thursday morning, July 22, at 10 a.m., we welcome Travel Portland CEO Jeff Miller into the Oregon Wine Board Zoom room. Jeff will offer his insights on current perceptions of Portland, the communications strategies his team has devised in response, and the road ahead for throttling up the city’s tourism engine that feeds wine regions across the state. It was fortuitous that U.S. News & World Report just listed Portland among the Top 10 on its latest list of the “Best Places to Live in the U.S.”
Of course, Jeff will comment on that news as well as on “This Is Portland,” the new campaign designed to encourage tourists in high-potential feeder markets to consider a PDX visit. Please register to join us and take a minute to send in your questions for Jeff before he sits down Thursday with our moderator, Maria Ponzi.
Another online session that should be of interest is sponsored by the West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force at 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 2. Topics include a review of lessons learned from past wildfire seasons and advice from risk management experts on getting paid for crop loss. Register here.
This webinar sets us up well for the following week when we include crop insurance experts in an Oregon-centered discussion during our next all-industry Zoom meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 10, at 11 a.m. Feel free to send us your questions about crop insurance in advance.
Turning to the subjects of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness, The Proximity Collective convened a webinar last week with some rich content related to bringing DE&I more prominently into our hiring, talent management, and other business practices. Oregon Wine Board Director Remy Drabkin was included in the speaker lineup by the Collective and the Washington State Wine Commission. Remy’s remarks begin an hour and five minutes into the recording.
Now to Oregon Wine Month and the industry’s interest in a stronger, more widely executed event in 2022. If you haven’t yet seen the market data for Oregon’s performance during the promotion, they reflect favorable trends in both direct shipments to consumers and in sales through distribution. In both segments, Oregon’s momentum exceeded the wine category’s overall growth rates.
To jump start planning for 2022, OWB convened discussion groups with industry members, retailers, and wholesale executives during which we invited advice from channel partners, explored factors driving Oregon’s performance, and generated new ideas to enrich and enhance Wine Month. You can view the recordings of those Zooms, first for the three-tier distribution conversation, and separately for the direct-to-consumer session.
And as many of you may be aware, Eugene is hosting the 2021 Wine Media Conference in two weeks on Aug. 5-7. OWB is partnering with AVA groups in Southern Oregon, the Gorge and the Willamette Valley to finance excursions that will get writers out into regions to meet winemakers and taste wines most of our guests probably have not yet been exposed to. This diagram illustrates the excursion destinations for conference attendees wanting to experience as much Oregon wine country as they can squeeze in.
In closing, please note the governor’s office will be accepting applications this fall for those interested in a three-year appointment to the Oregon Wine Board of Directors. The next term begins Jan. 1, 2022, but the application deadline for that term is Oct. 1, 2021. The governor’s Executive Appointments Office asks that all applicants use this interest form, but be aware that a complete application packet includes the form along with answers to some supplemental questions plus a resume and a short bio. For answers to some FAQs about service on the Oregon Wine Board, click here.
And for still more information on the process, please click here. The governor’s staff directs applicants to send completed packets to: executive.appointments@oregon.gov.
Tom Danowski
President
Marketing
2021-22 Oregon Wine Touring Guide available to stock in tasting rooms
The newest edition of the official Oregon Wine Touring Guide is available for complimentary order and delivery in 40-count cases. Request your box of this comprehensive tourism resource for display in your tasting room. Or, slip copies into your next wine club shipment to inspire visits from enthusiasts around the country.
Research
Participate in OSU Extension water use survey
OSU Viticulture Extension is asking for your input on vineyard water use and irrigation management through this survey. They would like to know how water is being used and managed in Oregon vineyards in order to determine industry education needs. The survey should only take a few minutes to complete.
OWB-SPONSORED V&E RESEARCH UPDATE
Botrytis bunch rot: Who, where, when, and what to use
Dr. Walt Mahaffee, research plant pathologist with the USDA-Agricultural Research Service, and his team have prepared an update about their research to develop a better understanding of how and where Botrytis bunch rot disease epidemics start and progress.
July 2021 Weather and Climate Forecast
On July 2, Dr. Greg Jones published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at June conditions and forecasts conditions for July, August, and September.
Education
Briefing on Oregon OSHA temporary heat rulemaking | July 22
On July 22 at 9 a.m., OSHA Administrator Michael Wood will give a briefing about the recent Temporary Heat Rulemaking to the Oregon wine industry. Register now to learn more about the new rule and to have the opportunity to ask questions.
Portland’s Tourism Outlook: A conversation with Travel Portland | July 22
OWB invites you to join us for a virtual conversation with Jeff Miller, CEO of Travel Portland, on July 22 at 10 a.m. Jeff will share his perspectives on the resources supporting Portland’s recovery and how stakeholders are coming together and contributing to the city’s revitalization. Register now and submit your questions for Jeff in advance.
Webinar: Crop insurance | August 2
The West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force is hosting a webinar at 2 p.m. on Aug. 2 covering the latest issues and developments related to crop insurance coverage in the event of wildfire and smoke related losses. Join the webinar to understand how lessons learned from the 2020 crop season will affect crop insurance this year.
Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism sessions available to view
Travel Oregon hosted the Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism virtually in June. The opening keynote session and all breakout sessions are now available to view on Travel Oregon’s YouTube channel.
Calls for wine
Decanter seeks Oregon Pinot noir and Chardonnay | Deadline: Aug. 2
Wineries with international distribution are invited to submit new releases of Pinot noir and Chardonnay for review by Charles Curtis MW of Decanter Magazine. Charles will be conducting his tasting in Oregon, and wines must arrive to NW Wine Distribution in Salem by Aug. 2
Opportunities
Register for 2021 Canada virtual wine mission for Oregon & Washington | Deadline: July 31
The Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA®) and the Oregon and Washington State Departments of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Northwest Wine Coalition, have opened registration for the 2021 Canada Virtual Wine Mission. The event will take place Oct. 18-22 and winery selection is first-come, first served. Register by July 31.
Other News
Oregon Wine Industry Forums | Next meeting: August 10
Join the OWB and partners on Aug. 10 at 11 a.m. for the next Oregon Wine Industry Forum. Guests will include Dr. Greg Jones and crop insurance specialists. 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.
Willamette Valley gains global protection of its name
Last week the Willamette Valley received formal recognition and protection by the European Union through Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Status approval. The PGI system protects iconic names of agricultural products, spirit drinks, and wines with a link to their geographical origin. Only two American wine regions, Napa Valley and now the Willamette Valley, carry this distinction.
