Some of you might already know that last week I judged at the 40th annual Texas Wine Awards, known as TEXSOM Awards for the last decade. Wine judging is grueling for any wine professional and wine lover. It is mentally, “sensorially,” and physically exhausting especially when the exercise lasts for three days, this is why I limit my judging to just a couple of important competitions.
The competitions I judge at must be the highest of caliber in terms of setup, wines submitted, and judges invited. When I was a younger buyer learning judging, I would participate in regional competitions across Australia, which are prevalent and mostly judged by winemakers. Today, I limit myself to TEXSOM and Decanter International Wine Awards, both of which are by invitation and employ only subject matter experts therefore the 4-person panels consist of Masters of Wine, Sommeliers, and region-specific wine media and critics.
The 2024 Texsom awards allowed judges to assess current vintages available from U.S. regions and around the world from Australia to Champagne to Portugal.
There was much excitement from judges about the high quality of the 2021 and 2022 vintages presented from the Pacific Northwest specifically.
If brand building is key to your marketing strategy, I recommend you look at each competition and consider the exposure you will receive as a participant or winner in the event. Evaluate the cost of entry versus the benefits offered: access to digital marketing materials to promote your brand, and opportunities to participate in consumer events. Finally, look at the reliability of judging as a benchmark between competitions your peers participate in.
As a reminder to Oregon producers, the 21st Decanter World Wine Awards submissions for entry closes March 15. Entry details can be found here.
These international competitions can help bring global awareness to your brand and your region. Here is an example of an article from Clive Pursehouse, the North American editor for Decanter: The Pacific Northwest Shines at Decanter World Wine Awards. For brands seeking distribution in the UK, entering the Decanter World Wine Awards will introduce your wines to UK importers when results are revealed.
Last Call for Oregon Wine Month POS | Deadline March 8
In case you missed the Oregon Wine Month 2024 planning webinar on Jan. 23, the recording is available here. This session covered programming for all sales channels. As we move closer to May, check the OWM Toolkit for updates. We are producing three formats: 8.5”x11” case cards, 4″x6″ table tents, and bottle neckers all available in various layouts. All pieces will have a QR code linking consumers to sweepstakes and educational content. Click here to order and feel free to reach out to David DeWitt (OWB Trade Relations) or Neil Ferguson (OWB Director of Marketing) with any questions.
Showcase Your Wine in the Pair It Forward Campaign
OWB is relaunching its successful social media campaign called Pair It Forward (#pairitforward). This campaign uses short videos in which winemakers, chefs, or artisan food producers across the state talk about their favorite wine and food pairings. Visit the Pair It Forward toolkit for a detailed overview of the campaign, including instructions on how to film and upload your video.
Updated Digital Oregon Wine Touring Guide Now Available
The 2023-24 edition of the Oregon Wine Touring Guide has been the most successful ever, with a record-breaking 7,000 copies shipped to consumers across the U.S. in the first year alone. The industry has always responded to the Guide enthusiastically, ordering nearly 300 40-count boxes to date, which is almost double the entire amount of orders for the previous edition. To maintain momentum and also recognize changes to businesses, OWB and its partner MEDIAmerica have just launched an updated digital edition of the guide that includes refreshed winery listings based on feedback we solicited directly from our industry. View the digital edition and order print copies.
Wine Industry Insights
Vinepair Asks: As a Major Wine Critic Calls Time on Heavy Bottles, Will Others Follow Suit?
Thick, heavy glass bottles certainly had their moment in the sun sending a clear message: “I’m important. I’m serious. I’m powerful. You should pay more for me.” But recently, the wine world seems to have finally caught on to the absurdity of it all with well-known critics such as Karen MacNeil and Jancis Robinson leading the charge. Read more.
Wine Industry Advisor: WineAmerica’s Update on Important Regulatory Matters
WineAmerica is currently working on two very important regulatory issues: the TTB activity on Label changes and the U.S. Dietary guidelines. Learn more.
Education
Fill out the Oregon Wine Symposium Satisfaction Survey | Deadline March 6
As always, we encourage your feedback on the 2024 Oregon Wine Symposium so we can make it even better next year. Please clickhereto complete the survey by March 6 and we will send you a link to access the recorded sessions.
Jefferson Public Radio Reports on New Tools Developed by Oregon Researchers to Mitigate Climate Change and Wildfire Smoke
Oregon State University Researchers are developing special coatings to protect Northwest wines from any smoke flavors. Vineyard managers could spray the coatings onto their grapes to protect the fruit from absorbing smoke chemicals and tainting the wine. Oregon State University researchers are developing the new coatings. Learn more.
Wine Industry Advisor reports on State Representative David Gomberg’s Wine Industry Recognition
The Oregon Winegrowers Association (OWA) presented State Representative David Gomberg with its Oregon Wine Leadership Award during the Oregon Legislative Wine Caucus reception on Feb. 27 in Salem. The award is given in recognition of outstanding leadership in promoting the Oregon wine industry through public policy initiatives. Learn more.
Farm Progress tells the story of Bethel Heights Vineyards
In 1977, when two couples, twins Ted and Terry Casteel and their wives, Pat Dudley and Marilyn Webb, started Bethel Heights Vineyard, it wasn’t without the knowledge that there was potential in growing wine grapes in Oregon. “We were really the second wave,” Pat Dudley said in an interview with Western Farm Press. Read more.
Wine Spectator Advertising Opportunity | Deadline March 18
Wine Spectator is offering Oregon wineries the opportunity to be featured together in its June ’24 “Oregon Wine Report Issue.” The co-op page, designed by Wine Spectator, will encourage readers to visit Oregon and buy Oregon wines. This ad and digital amplification have the potential to reach an audience of nearly 3 million readers who are high-frequency wine consumers. View conditions here.
Burghound Seeking Pinot noir Samples from Oregon
Erica Meadows is requesting Pinot samples of current releases to review in an upcoming issue of Burghound.com. Learn more.
VinePair seeks Sauvignon blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon | Deadline March 11
VinePair is accepting Sauvignon blanc and Cabernet sauvignon to be considered for their buy this booze guides. Learn more.
Register for 2024 Grape Day | April 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The event will take place at LaSells Stewart Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis. Members of the OWRI will share the latest information from their research projects during a series of presentations and an interactive poster session. This year’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Michelle Moyer, a Professor and Viticulture Extension Specialist based in Prosser, WA. Her research bridges foundational understanding of pest biology and plant physiology, with practical application in commercial grape production systems. Learn more and register here.
Save the Date: International Symposium on Grapevine Epidemic Diseases | May 17 – 18
The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), jointly with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), will host the first “International Symposium on Grapevine Epidemic Diseases. Pierce’s Disease & Flavescence dorée” on May 17 – 18 in Austin, Texas. This event will gather international academics and specialists from the viticultural sector. Information about registration fees and logistics will be published soon.
Registrations Open for the U.S. Sustainable Winegrowing Summit | April 30 – May 1
Join the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and co-hosts from California, Washington, New York, and Oregon to learn about cutting-edge sustainable and climate-beneficial practices. Be inspired and gain ideas on how to share sustainable wine-growing stories with consumers and trade. Register here.
Opportunities
Claim Your Community Benchmark Account
OWB has extended its partnership with Community Benchmark for another two years, in collaboration with Willamette Valley Wineries Association and Rogue Valley Vintners who are sharing in the cost to support the program in their regions. Any Oregon winery not yet registered can still claim their account for just $199 for the two-year program. Claim an account.
Join the Women In Wine Family
Women in Wine: Oregon invites you to join us as they grow and expand their reach. Membership with WiW provides access and discounts to educational seminars, networking events, and the annual conference in July. You’ll receive access to the video library from past events and much more. Memberships are valid for one year after purchase. Scholarships and payment plans are available. Please reach out with any questions: [email protected].
Queer Wine Fest Seeking Wineries with LGBTQ+ Leadership | Register by March 15
Are you part of a winery with LGBTQ+ leadership? Queer Wine Fest (June 30, 2024, at Remy Wines) is currently searching for wineries with LGBTQ+ identified owners, winemakers, and/or vineyard managers to be highlighted at this summer’s third annual event. Interested wineries can reach out to [email protected] for more information and to sign up.
Malbec in the City Seeking Oregon Producers | Register by March 15
The organizers behind Malbec in the City are bringing together producers who have wines made with Malbec grapes grown in Oregon. It can be either a Malbec or any Malbec blend. The fun consumer event is taking place on Saturday, April 20 in Portland at Castaway. You can pour your Malbec wine(s) at the event and sell bottles. They are targeting 400+ attendees. To participate, fill out this form.
Register for LIVE Annual Meeting | March 21
This half-day event will feature catered lunch, coffee and pastries, wine tasting, awards, a poster session showcasing new research in sustainable wine, and educational sessions led by: Eric Asimov – New York Times, Adam Rack & Keenan O’Hern – Revino Refillable Bottles, Anna Brittain – Napa Green and Patty Skinkis – Oregon State University. For more details and registration, visit LIVE’s Annual Meeting Website.
Other News
Architectural Heritage Center Seeks Wine Donations for Annual Gala
The Architectural Heritage Center in Portland is seeking wine donations for their annual gala: the “Party for Preservation” taking place on April 26. The gala celebrates historic preservation efforts of the past, present, and future and is their largest fundraising event of the year. Your wine donation will support the AHC’s vision, programs, and advocacy efforts. Interested wineries can contact Tom Lane at [email protected]
Register for Governor’s 2024 Conference on Tourism
On March 11- 13 join hundreds of your industry partners for keynote presentations, educational sessions, networking, our annual awards ceremony, and a night out in the Willamette Valley. Registration is now open. Learn more.
Bree Stock, MW
OWB Director of Education
