Your Oregon Wine Board of Directors took some important actions at its most recent meeting last week.
The first was approval of the Research Committee’s 2019-20 recommended slate of eight viticulture and enology applications. These projects represent an investment of $417,500 and are designed to address critical questions such as how the grapevine red blotch virus is transmitted and how growers can most effectively deal with fungicide resistance exhibited by powdery mildew spores, to name just two.
The approved proposals were among a total of 33 submitted by research scientists from across the country for consideration by 41 of your industry colleagues who contribute their time and experienced insights to the OWB Research Committee. Thank you to our volunteers for the continuing effort made to ensure the industry’s grape tax money for Research is wisely spent.
If you are not getting the OWB’s regular updates on previously approved research projects currently underway, please let us know and we will be sure to add you to our list.
Secondly, the Board approved the objectives framing the OWB’s 2019-2024 Marketing and Communications Strategic Plan. This work grew out of an intensive, day-long planning summit preceded by industry surveys and eight industry listening sessions held around the state between February and April during which 97 industry members turned out to share their perspectives on where Marketing and Communications dollars can be most effectively directed. The four key elements of the approved plan are:
You’ll be hearing more about the ways in which our OWB Marketing, Communications and Education managers will work with our industry committees to develop and execute programming fulfilling these objectives as our annual plans for the coming year take shape.
Finally, the Board also received an update on the expanded range of activities to be undertaken in the coming year by the OWB’s International Committee. Industry members gathered last month to assess progress in our key export markets and discuss new initiatives to help more Oregon brands capitalize on the demand for Oregon wines by leveraging the federal grant funding that fuels our global program calendar.
Tom Danowski
President
NEWS FROM THE OREGON WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION
If you’ve been following media coverage of Oregon House Bill 3427, the “Student Success Act,” then you’re aware that the bill became law with the Governor’s signature on May 16. What you might not have heard however, is that the funding mechanism includes a new “commercial activities tax” on businesses that includes a $250 minimum, plus 0.57% on in-state annual sales in excess of $1 million. However, on behalf of wineries operating above that sales threshold, the OWA worked with state lawmakers to allow federal wine excise and state privilege taxes to be deducted from a winery’s taxable revenue.
In other news from Salem, Senate Bill 257 appears to be on track helping preserve fermentation sciences funding for wine research at Oregon State University. House Bill 2015 has progressed to a subcommittee of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. This bill enables those in Oregon without proof of legal residence or citizenship to hold drivers licenses or permits.
Finally, thank you to the 36 OWA member wineries that joined us from all over Oregon in Portland June 2 to pour for about 420 wine enthusiasts and help raise money for the Oregon Food Bank. The event helped promote Oregon’s varietal and regional diversity to many new consumers, and we’ll be taking the learnings to make the 2020 version of “Crush on Oregon” even bigger and better.
MARKETING
Give Us Your Thoughts on Oregon Wine Month
Another Oregon Wine Month is in the books! Thanks to all of you who came out in force to help make May a great success. Please answer 3 quick questions to provide us with the insight we need to continue to improve the Oregon Wine Month program.
Oregon Wine Trail New York City: Event Recap
On May 6, the OWB hosted more than 60 wineries from around the state at our Oregon Wine Trail event in New York City. We welcomed more than 300 members of the trade to a walk-around tasting, distributor VIP reception and Master Class, and 300 consumers to the ticketed evening tasting event. Oregon Wine Trail 2020 dates and locations will be announced later this summer.
Wines From the Edge – An Oregon and New Zealand Collaboration: Recap
On May 7 in New York City, the OWB and New Zealand Winegrowers co-hosted Wines From the Edge, a trade event exploring the similarities and differences between the two regions. Two master classes and a lunch were attended by dozens of buyers as well as key New York-based media. The presentations are available to watch online.
Order Oregon Wine Touring Guides for Your Summer Visitors
With maps, itineraries and 500 tasting room listings, the 2019 Oregon Wine Touring Guide is a strong addition to any tasting room or tourism business. Order your complimentary case of 40 copies now in advance of the summer travel season.
RESEARCH
OWB-Funded Research Update: Nitrogen Management in the Vineyard and in the Winery
Dr. Paul Schreiner of USDA-ARS has prepared an update about research he is conducting in collaboration with OSU researchers to understand the impact of nitrogen applications in the vineyard and during the winemaking process.
OWB-Funded Research Update: Elucidating Brettanomyces Paths of Entry into the Cellar
Dr. Christopher Curtin of OSU has prepared an update about research he is conducting with co-PI Dr. James Osborne to determine how Brettanomyces yeasts finds their way into the cellar.
June 2019 Weather and Climate Forecast
On June 3, Dr. Greg Jones of Linfield College published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at May conditions and forecasts conditions for June, July and August.
EDUCATION
Webinar: Wine Club Management Workshops with VingDirect
Two weeks remain of the series of DTC educational webinars hosted by VingDirect and sponsored by the OWB in partnership with the Oregon Wine Brotherhood. This week will focus on building a strong wine club foundation, while next week will delve deeper into maintaining your club and retaining members. Note, you must register for each webinar separately to receive links to join.
2019 Oregon Wine Symposium Content Now Open to All
For the first few months following Symposium, session recordings and presentation materials are only available to attendees completing the post-event survey. The password protection has now been removed from 2019 Symposium content online, meaning you can view recordings and download presentations covering wine business, viticulture and enology.
Women in Wine Conference: Fermenting Change in Oregon | July 8
Join Women in Wine Oregon on July 8 at Willamette Valley Vineyards in Turner for the first gathering of women and men dedicated to empowering the next generation of female leaders in the wine industry. Speakers include Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild, and Meg Crofton, former president of Disney Resorts.
Seminar: Viticulture at Linfield College | Aug. 1-14
Linfield College is offering a two-week seminar on viticulture, which will cover grape varieties, general grape biology and physiology, the environmental factors required to grow grapes, and basic aspects of vineyard management. The hybrid course includes online study followed by a 5-day field course.
CALLS FOR WINE
Submit Wines for The Wine Advocate to Review | Deadline: July 22
Erin Brooks from The Wine Advocate will be in Oregon to review wines in late July. She will focus on the 2017 vintage but is willing to accept for review any bottled wine not already scored by The Wine Advocate. Up to 650 wines will be accepted before the July 22 deadline on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of four wines per producer.
OPPORTUNITIES
Northwest Wine Radio Booking for Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 Shows
Northwest Wine Radio shares the stories of Northwest-based winemakers in a friendly setting, reaching consumers throughout the Pacific Northwest. The producers are seeking wineries to feature on their program this fall and next spring. Wineries that have not been featured in the last 18 months are invited to participate free of charge.
Linfield College Wine Studies Center Seeks Instructional Associate
Linfield College invites applications through July 15 for a position at the Instructor level in Wine Studies. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in business or a related field, along with wine industry experience, is required. Other qualification requirements, responsibilities and application instructions can be found in the job posting.
Travel Oregon Competitive Small Grants Application Period Closes June 19
Travel Oregon has published its 2019-20 Competitive Small Grants guidelines. Applications will be accepted until June 19. Small Grant requests can be up to $20,000 and only require a 10 percent cash match.
OTHER NEWS
Info Session for Sonoma State Global EMBA in Wine Business | July 21
Join Sonoma State University for an information session about its Global Executive MBA in Wine Business at Sokol Blosser on July 21. The program comprises four leadership intensives and three-month segments of online case and project-based learning and faculty mentoring.
