For those who might not yet have seen the sleeper in our online library, say hello again to the Oregon Wine Resource Studio. This set of training and sales presentations was launched a couple years ago with the help of a Specialty Crop Block grant and is updated regularly to include new maps, soil profiles and geological histories, as well as fresh critical acclaim and current statistics on Oregon wine sales trends. Everything in the Resource Studio is available for free including downloadable AVA presentations in multiple formats.
Free copies of the Oregon Wine Touring Guide can still be ordered right here for your tasting room, and the electronic version of the Guide is an easy, welcome reminder to your mailing lists that we’re open for business this summer.
OWA members will want to be sure to register for two important informational webinars coming up this month. The first will be on June 12 when tax experts from Davis Wright Tremaine and TTB explain the finer points of the new federal tax law, including steps wineries should take to realize the full value of more generous wine excise tax credits that became available to every Oregon winery on Jan. 1. The second session, on June 19, will deal with the DEQ’s updated 1400-series permits which include requirements for disposing of winery wastewater. As of last month, a wastewater permit is required for wineries producing at least 6,000 cases of wine annually. Also during this webinar, DEQ requirements for handling stormwater at wineries will be reviewed.
If you’re transiting through PDX airport between now and August, be sure to check out the 14-foot acrylic Oregon wine bottle containing a diorama of the Willamette Valley that graces the entrance to the C concourse. This installation, which was previously located at the San Jose airport, forms the centerpiece of a promotion by Willamette Valley Visitors Association, which won Travel Oregon’s Outstanding Overall Oregon Marketing Program Award in 2017. The bottle moves to the Eugene airport in September.
To the 50 wineries that joined the OWB six weeks ago for our Oregon Wine Trail educational and tasting events in Los Angeles, your feedback is both appreciated and inspiring. It will guide our efforts to further improve these grant-funded activities as we identify other high-potential markets in which to raise Oregon’s profile among trade influencers and fine wine consumers. Of the wineries replying to our survey after the LA visit, 96% said they either “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that they would come back for more Oregon Wine Trail events.
And finally, the industry’s Nominating Committee is accepting applications from those interested in being considered by the Governor for a three-year appointment to the Oregon Wine Board of Directors. Appointees will be invited early next year to stand for ratification by members of the Oregon Winegrowers Association to serve concurrently on the OWA Board. If you think this message is coming a little earlier than it has in the past, you’re right. Our Governor will be campaigning for re-election this year, and the Nominating Committee wants to get its recommendations in before the harvest. Applications are being accepted through July 31.
Cheers,
Tom Danowski
President
Oregon Wine Board
MARKETING
2018 Oregon Wine Touring Guide Available
The 2018 Oregon Wine Touring Guide is available for complimentary order and delivery. This third edition of the guide is packed with new photography, editorial content and updated listings for more than 500 tasting rooms across the state. Order your case.
EDUCATION
OWB Workshop Recording Available: WISE Academy’s 7 Secrets of Sales
The OWB brought the WISE Academy’s Seven Secrets of Professional Sales workshop to the industry in April. The full day seminar covered key aspects of sales such as leveraging your brand, understanding the buyers’ continuum, positive profiling, building rapport, buying signals, codifying your sales successes, wine club features & benefits, asking for the order, and capturing data. This content is password protected under the password OWBWISE. View the workshop recordings using the password.
OWB Workshop Recording Available: Oregon Grape and Wine Profit Calculator
In March 2018, the OWB proudly released the Oregon Grape and Wine Profit Calculator. This web-based tool is designed to give Oregon’s wine businesses accurate forecasting and a complete financial snapshot of their production, sales, marketing and distribution divisions. Two workshops were held to introduce the Calculator, the first edition of which provides a calculation of wine cost of goods and gross margins. Learn more and view the workshop recordings.
OWA Webinar: New TTB Excise Tax Credit Procedures | June 12
On June 12 from 2-3 p.m., Davis Wright Tremaine and the TTB will provide general guidance on how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act likely impacts your winery, steps you can take to take to comply with the Act, and related TTB guidance to ensure full access to more generous wine excise tax credits that became available on Jan. 1. This webinar will only be made available to current OWA members. OWA members log in to register here.
OWA Webinar: Wastewater/Stormwater Management | June 19
The DEQ recently renewed the 1400-A and 1400-B wastewater permits applicable to wineries, effective May 21. Wineries should also understand requirements for stormwater management under the 1200-Z permit. Learn more about how these permits might impact your business at an OWA member-exclusive webinar presented by Davis Wright Tremaine, DEQ and Farrallon Consulting. OWA members log in to register here.
Oregon Wine in L.A. Master Class Available to Watch
As a part of the Oregon Wine Trail trade event in Los Angeles on April 24, OWB’s Bree Boskov MW and Chris Tanghe MS of GuildSomm presented Mastering Oregon. Attended by 70 qualified L.A.-area trade, this master class highlighted eight different varieties from nine Oregon AVAs. Watch the full recording.
RESEARCH
Research Update: Nitrogen Management in the Vineyard and in the Winery
Dr. Paul Schreiner, research plant physiologist, USDA-ARS-HCRL and OWRI, has prepared an update on the research he is leading on how nitrogen availability in the vineyard affects vine productivity and wine properties in Pinot noir and Chardonnay. This project receives funding from the Oregon Wine Board as part of its viticulture and enology research grant program. Read Dr. Schreiner’s update.
Research Update: Understanding the Yield-Quality Relationship in Cool Climate Pinot noir and Chardonnay Production
Dr. Patti Skinkis, OSU Viticulture Extension Specialist, has prepared an update on the research she is leading on short- and long-term impacts of increasing or decreasing yield of Pinot noir through cluster thinning. This project receives funding from the Oregon Wine Board as part of its viticulture and enology research grant program. Read Dr. Skinkis’ update.
OWRI Grapevine Red Blotch Disease Survey
The Oregon Wine Research Institute at Oregon State University is conducting a survey on Grapevine Red Blotch Disease to understand how widespread the disease is in Oregon and what educational information is needed by industry. The survey should not take more than a few minutes. Begin the survey.
OSU Agricultural Water Survey
Researchers at Oregon State University are reaching out to all produce growers in the state of Oregon to investigate water use practices in order to help farmers meet new federal requirements. A short survey has been created to better understand water practices on produce farms. Begin the survey.
CALLS FOR WINE
Oregon Wine Experience Competition – Submissions Due June 15
The Oregon Wine Experience is gearing up for its 15th year this August, with August 4-5 being the renowned Oregon Wine Competition. The organizers are hoping to expand with new wineries throughout Oregon. See the full submission guidelines.
OPPORTUNITIES
Apply Now to be Considered for the Oregon Wine Board of Directors in 2019
There are expected to be two openings on the nine-member Oregon Wine Board starting in January 2019. Applications for those positions are being accepted until July 31. The Governor’s Oregon Wine Board appointees are also invited to stand for ratification by members of the Oregon Winegrowers Association to serve concurrently on both Boards of Directors. Read more and learn how to apply.
OTHER NEWS
Take 20 Seconds to Help OPC Update its Data
Do you have 20 seconds? Please spare them to help the OPC organizers update their information on Oregon Pinot producers for their 2018 program. Click here to answer three brief questions.
Travel Oregon Publishes Economic Tourism Impact from 1991-2017
The report describes the economic impacts of travel to and through the state and each of its 36 counties over the time period of 1991 to 2017, and includes detailed estimates of travel spending, employment earnings and more. A primary objective of the research is to provide reliable figures that permit year-to-year comparisons at the state and county levels. View the interactive database for your county or region.
List or Search Grapes for Sale on the Marketplace
If you are looking for a buyer for your grapes, or are interested in buying grapes, don’t forget to check out the Marketplace on the OWB’s industry website. The Marketplace also includes listings for bulk wine, real estate, equipment and job opportunities. Post items for sale or visit the Marketplace to search items for sale.
If you’re transiting through PDX airport between now and August, be sure to check out the 14-foot acrylic Oregon wine bottle containing a diorama of the Willamette Valley that graces the entrance to the C concourse. This installation, which was previously located at the San Jose airport, forms the centerpiece of a promotion by Willamette Valley Visitors Association, which won Travel Oregon’s Outstanding Overall Oregon Marketing Program Award in 2017. The bottle moves to the Eugene airport in September.
