Let me open with a quick reminder to join your industry friends & neighbors in contributing your data to complete the annual Oregon Vineyard and Winery Report. Your involvement is essential for an accurate reflection of our industry’s vital signs.
Next up is an open invitation to the annual meeting of the OWB’s International Committee. Mark your calendars for 11 a.m. on May 16 when we’ll gather at Chemeketa’s Northwest Wine Studies Center west of Salem. You need not be selling wine internationally right now to attend. This meeting is designed for both export veterans and those just interested in learning more about the global potential for Oregon wines. Click here for meeting details and to RSVP.
Finally, don’t forget to let us know about your Oregon Wine Month events so we can promote them via the OWB’s website, through social channels, and in the OWB’s consumer-facing paid media schedule, which includes The Oregonian, oregonlive.com and traveloregon.com.
NEWS FROM THE OREGON WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION
If you’re among those planning ahead to meet the June 30 deadline for paying grape taxes to OLCC on 2018 tonnage, remember that Oregon law makes growers directly responsible for $12.50 per ton when selling fruit to out-of-state wineries. See Column E on this form. The OLCC does not currently pursue wineries outside Oregon for grape taxes. However the OWA, working with key industry members this session on Senate Bill 111, is seeking to clarify OLCC’s authority to collect the tonnage tax from its licensees crushing Oregon fruit in other states.
We might have somehow missed you with our invitation to join the OWA or renew your membership for 2019. If we did, click here to take advantage of new member benefits and support the industry’s policy agenda in Salem and Washington, D.C. To renew your membership for 2019, consult these simple instructions.
One of those benefits is access to members-only events such as the Portland consumer tasting scheduled for June 2. Click here to express your interest in participating in this event.
Finally, the OWA is working now with attorneys at Davis Wright Tremaine and industry members from the Rogue, Walla Walla and Willamette valleys to consolidate comments to TTB responsive to the Bureau’s call for input as it prepares to amend 27 CFR parts 4, 5 and 7, which relate to regulations governing the labeling and advertising of alcohol beverages.
One question from Part 4.94 leads us to ask whether winemakers producing “late harvest” wines would object to a proposed change that would require labeling with the amount of sugar in the grapes at harvest and with the R.S. in the finished wine? If you have a comment about that possible amendment to regulations, please reply to the OWA.
Cheers,
Tom Danowski
President
MARKETING
New 2019 Oregon Wine Touring Guide Available
The 2019 Oregon Wine Touring Guide is available now for complimentary order and delivery. This fourth edition of the guide is packed with new photography, editorial content and updated listings for more than 500 tasting rooms across the state. The 2019 guide is intended for placement at wineries, hotels and other tourism related businesses.
Sign up to Pour at Total Wine during Oregon Wine Month
Total Wine & More is planning to celebrate Oregon Wine Month this May in their 193 stores across 20 states. During this focus period, they want to bring as many Oregon wineries as possible to their stores to pour for shoppers. Wineries with placements in Total Wine are invited to sign up for in-store tasting events at locations around the country.
RESEARCH
2018 Oregon Vineyard and Winery Survey Open: Participate Now
The U of O recently opened the survey form for the 2018 Vineyard and Winery Report. Broad participation in this annual study helps ensure accurate figures on industry growth and the ability to tell a compelling story about the wine industry in Oregon. Thank you for doing your part.
Participate in the Linfield College 2018 Oregon Wine Industry Salary Survey
The second annual Oregon Wine Industry Salary Survey from Linfield College is still open and the researcher requests participation from vineyard and winery managers around the state to augment data presented at the Sympsoium. The updated report will be shared with the industry later this spring.
March 2019 Weather and Climate Forecast
On March 2, Dr. Greg Jones of Linfield College published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at February conditions and forecasts conditions for March, April and May.
Register for OWRI Grape Day | April 3
Join OWRI at Oregon State University in Corvallis on April 3 for Grape Day, their annual event highlighting research relevant to the Oregon wine industry. The event provides industry members with an opportunity to network and discuss research with OSU researchers and invited speakers.
EDUCATION
Sprayer Calibration Techniques Workshop (English & Spanish) | March 14
Rescheduled from Feb. 27: Chemeketa Community College, Erath Family Foundation and Oregon Wine Board are sponsoring a class on conventional sprayer calibration techniques, including calibration, maintenance and inspections. The $15 registration fee includes snacks, coffee and tea. Space is limited so register now for the class in English or with Spanish translation, held March 14 at the Chemeketa Wine Studies Eola campus.
CALLS FOR WINE
Wine & Spirits Accepting Oregon Sparkling and Rosé Wines | Deadline: April 5
Honest Cooking Seeking Wines for Spring and Summer | Deadline: March 31
Honest Cooking Magazine is compiling its spring and summer wine guides. Specifically they are seeking sparkling, Chardonnay, rosé and natural wines in price segments $15 and up.
OPPORTUNITIES
Agri-Eco Tourism Conference Presented by OSU Extension | March 14
OSU Extension’s 2019 Agri-Eco Tourism Conference will take place in Salem on March 14. The event centers around running successful agritourism and ecotourism operations.
Chemeketa Wine Studies Experimental Wine Tastings | March 20 and June 5
Join Chemeketa’s Wine Studies students for an experimental wine tasting open to Oregon wine industry members. Taste a variety of experimental wines, provide feedback and discuss current industry topics. You can also present wines from your own trial for feedback. This tasting is possible thanks to support from the Oregon Wine Brotherhood.
Participate in the 2019 International Volcanic Wine Conference | June 5
The second annual International Volcanic Wine Conference will be held in New York on June 5 and is now open for wineries to sign up to participate. The conference comprises a full-day educational program for wine industry professionals and members of the media.
Crush on Oregon – OWA Consumer Tasting Event in Portland | June 2
OWA will be holding a consumer tasting event at Castaway in Portland on Sunday, June 2. Registration is now open on a first-come, first-served basis and spots will be allocated regionally. The event is open to OWA members only.
Wine Spectator 2019 Advertising Opportunities
Wine Spectator is offering cooperative advertising opportunities in 2019, providing exposure in the magazine at a more affordable price than standalone advertising. Up to nine first-come, first-served spaces are available per issue.
OTHER NEWS
Travel Southern Oregon Symposium | March 17-18
The 23rd annual Travel Southern Oregon Symposium will take place in Medford March 17-18. Among other tourism topics, this event includes a panel on the Southern Oregon wine visitor, based on a study done in partnership between the U of O and the OWB.
2019 Oregon Wine Industry Awards
At the Oregon Wine Symposium, nine awards were given in honor of outstanding contributions to the Oregon wine industry. Congratulations to all recipients.
Oregon Solidarity Video Brings Collaborative Project to Life
The Oregon Solidarity project, which brought together Rogue Valley growers and Willamette Valley winemakers in the face of hardship during the 2018 harvest, is brought to life in a new video.
Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism | April 14-16
The Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism aims to educate and connect tourism stakeholders and business partners, advancing alignment for a healthy Oregon tourism ecosystem, which inspires travelers to visit Oregon.
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