The OWB Board members and staff have been traveling to wine regions across the state to hear from wine growers and makers about how they would like OWB to serve them in the coming five years. Thank you to those who joined us in the Umpqua and Rogue Valleys last week.
We want to hear from you!
As part of our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan development, OWB is hosting listening sessions this month, and you are invited! We look forward to our final two in-person sessions next week:
Can’t make it in person?
For those who cannot make it to an in-person session, we will also be holding virtual meetings on March 19, 21, 25 and 27. Click here for the full schedule, locations, and to register.
OWB has a new home!
We are happy to share that we have moved into our new office! We are now located at 5550 S. Macadam Ave, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97239. Please update your records and we look forward to welcoming industry members to the office once we have settled in.
Read on for a reminder to register to participate in Oregon Wine Month, an update on current calls for wine, industry opportunities and events, and more.
Sincerely,
Your OWB Team
Marketing
OWB Marketing
Oregon Wine Month: Toolkit Reminder and Call for Enrollments
The 2025 Oregon Wine Month Toolkit is your resource to kick-start your marketing plans and make the most of Oregon Wine Month. We encourage you to register your events and promotions for Oregon Wine Month here, so OWB can help amplify your efforts. Together, let’s celebrate Oregon wine and launch the 2025 wine country tourism season with impact!
Please direct any interest or questions about Oregon Wine Month programming and events to Carissa Cook, OWB’s Marketing & Insights Director.
Update your Tasting Room Listing with the Oregon Wine Board by April 1
Development of the new Oregon Wine Touring Guide for 2025 is underway! We encourage all Oregon wineries to check and update their listing on the OWB site. The toolkit for you listing updates can be found here. Thank you in advance for reviewing and updating as necessary, which will make this year’s process as efficient as possible for everyone.
Education
Sign up for Regional Salary Survey Workshops on March 17 & 20
Dr. Jeff Peterson presented initial findings from the 2024 Oregon Wine Industry Labor and Salary Survey at the Oregon Wine Symposium, and next week he’ll host the final two in-person workshops aligned with the Regional Listening Sessions in Salem (March 17) and Hood River (March 20). Come talk with Jeff about considerations for benchmarking the compensation you offer and how to consider the data in light of cost-of-living factors in your region. Sign up for a workshop here.
Oregon Wine Research Institute’s Grape Day is April 8
Grape Day is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Wine Research Institute (OWRI) highlighting research vital to the Oregon wine industry. It offers industry members valuable insights as well as a chance to network and engage with researchers. The day includes oral presentations from OWRI members and guest speakers, along with lunch and interactive poster sessions. The event is held at Oregon State University’s Corvallis campus. Learn more and register.
Vit Now! Reducing Vineyard Costs in a Difficult Market on March 17
There is growing industry concern about how to manage vineyards in a difficult grape market. Join a panel discussion with OSU and USDA experts at Noon on March 17 as they provide considerations and address frequently asked questions. Register in advance to receive meeting connection details: https://beav.es/N3d.
The panel includes:
Achala KC, Associate Professor, Botany & Plant Pathology, OSU
Alec Levin, Viticulturist and OSU-SOREC director
Walt Mahaffee, Research Plant Pathologist, USDA-ARS
James Osborne, Enology Extension Specialist and OWRI Director, OSU
James Sterns, Associate Professor Applied Economics, OSU
Patty Skinkis, Viticulture Extension Specialist, OSU
Vit Now! is a webinar series from OSU Viticulture Extension offering timely topics to vineyard producers and wine industry professionals. Watch previous sessions here.
Press and Media
Media Highlights
Becky Garrison covered B Corp wineries in the Willamette Valley for the latest issue of Northwest Travel & Life. Read more.
The 7 Best Wines from Women Winemakers According to Buyers by SevenFifty Daily featured 3 Oregon Winemakers. Read more.
SIP Magazine published its take on Oregon’s 2024 harvest. Read more.
Vogue spotlighted the Willamette Valley as an underrated wine region. Read more.
Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News covered Oregon and Washington wine’s presence at the recent UK events, including the London Grand Tasting. Read more.
Media Opportunities & Calls for Wine
James Suckling Oregon Report – Submit Wines to Napa Office by April 1
The James Suckling team is accepting samples for its Oregon Report at their Napa offices until April 1:
Shipping information:
JamesSuckling.com
c/o Jackson Street Wine Warehouse
849 Jackson St # 3 Napa, CA 94559
Send one bottle per SKU and include an info sheet with SRP and case production (replaces the online form). Six SKUs maximum. Questions may be directed to Katie von Bargen.
OWP Cellar Selects – Due on March 18
Oregon Wine Press Cellar Selects | June 2025
Rhône- and Loire-style whites and blends: Melon de Bourgogne, Viognier, Chenin Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Picpoul, Muscat, Grenache Blanc (+SPK)
Please send TWO bottles of up to FOUR submissions per brand. Varietal-specific sparkling wine accepted. Include retail price, no price limit and wine must be received by 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 18.
Please drop off or ship your submission(s) by UPS or FedEx only to:
Oregon Lithoprint, Attn: Cellar Selects OWP, 1315 N.E. Miller St., McMinnville, OR 97128
Drop off hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Questions? Contact Michele Francisco.
Research
Viticulture & Enology
March 2025 Weather and Climate Forecast
Dr. Greg Jones recently published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at February conditions and forecasts conditions for March and April, and May.
Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research (NSCFR) Winter Newsletter
Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research (NSCFR) has published the Winter edition of the quarterly newsletter, with updates on Pacific Northwest research, news, USDA funding, and personnel. View the 2025 Winter newsletter. Interested in subscribing? Get future editions sent directly to your inbox by signing up here.
Opportunities
Spotlight your Winery in Wine Spectator’s Annual Oregon Wine Showcase
Wine Spectator is offering Oregon wineries the opportunity to be featured in the same issue as its 2025 Oregon Wine Report. Reaching subscribers the first week of May, the showcase is perfectly timed for amplifying the excitement of OR Wine Month to a national audience of 2.2 million high-frequency wine buyers. In addition to print exposure, your winery will receive boosted visibility through email and e-newsletter mentions linking to your website. Don’t miss this chance to elevate your brand, attract new customers, and drive tasting room visits. Reservations will be accepted until March 19 and you can learn more here. Please reach out to John Grecco with any questions or to reserve your spot.
WineDirect to Commerce7 for Websites: Free E-Commerce Webinar with Vin Agency and Carisen Randing
With the recent acquisition of WineDirect by Commerce7, many winery proprietors have questions about how the transition will affect their websites. Vin Agency is offering a free webinar, in partnership with industry colleague Carisen Randing, to discuss the transition. They will be fielding questions about:
Winery e-commerce options, Commerce7 capabilities vs WineDirect, migrating a website to Commerce7 from other platforms, and more.
This webinar will be moderated by Vin Communications Director Katherine Cole, and will feature the expertise of Jon Krauss, Creative Director, Vin Agency, and Carisen Randing of CR Winery Services. Click this link to RSVP. Questions? Reach out to Katherine Cole at [email protected].
Take Silicon Valley Bank’s Annual Direct-to-Consumer Survey by March 24
You are invited to take Silicon Valley Bank (SVB)’s annual Direct-to-Consumer survey by March 24. Provide your perspective and help shape their 2025 Direct-to-Consumer wine report. Respondents will receive a comprehensive set of survey results, including the SVB wine team’s analysis and industry benchmarks. Click here to complete the survey.
Other News & Information
OWB FY25-26 Budget Process and Proposed Timeline
OWB’s budget development for FY25-26 is getting started. The Annual Business Plan Toolkit includes timelines, dates, budgets, industry input form, meeting registration links, and recordings of public presentations.
We greatly value the input of all OWB stakeholders. We hope to see you at our strategic plan regional listening sessions this month. You can also share your ideas via this form: FY25-26 Budget Planning Ideas. If you would like to have a more in-depth discussion, please reach out to OWB’s Chief Financial Officer, Sally Crawford. The submission deadline to be considered for the FY25-26 budget plan is June 1, 2025.
