Thanks to the 33 growers, winemakers, travel partners and managers from 14 AVAs around the state who Zoomed in last week for the OWB’s most recent information sharing meeting. Representatives from Travel Oregon, Vive Northwest and the Washington State Wine Commission joined us along with wine and food journalist Lauren Mowery, who offered her suggestions on how to partner more effectively with writers and bloggers. The full conversation is captured here in the meeting recording.
Also last week, registration opened for the 2021 Oregon Wine Symposium, which gets underway on Tuesday, Feb. 16. Details on the virtual program and ticket discounts are available here.
And I’m sure almost all of you will remember that we have a longstanding Symposium tradition of recognizing our industry colleagues for contributions that enrich our industry. Over the past year there have been an even greater number of extraordinary individuals stepping up. The awards nomination window is open for a few more days through Sunday and you can click here for more details on the award categories and past winners.
Looking ahead to next Tuesday, Nov. 17, feel free to Zoom in for an all-industry open forum beginning at 11 a.m. We will hear updates from the regions and welcome guests including Dr. Elizabeth Tomasino from Oregon State University commenting on volatile phenol testing in grape samples and drizly.com CEO Cory Rellas with an introduction to his company and how the fulfillment service it offers can help build brands.
In news from Salem, Governor Brown announced a two-week suspension of certain activities across nine Oregon counties due to increased incidence of COVID-19 infections. You can learn more here in the OWB’s COVID-19 Toolkit. The “pause” in social gatherings and related indoor capacity limitations are in effect starting tomorrow, Nov. 11.
As Oregon recovers from September’s wildfires and smoke events, industry input is critical to understanding the magnitude of the effects on vineyard and winery businesses. While we have mentioned these surveys before, your input is still welcome by tomorrow, Nov. 11 on two related studies that will help researchers more accurately gauge the economic impacts.
The Oregon Wine Industry Economic Impact survey gathers information enabling forecasts on the various aspects of Oregon’s wine sector. The 15-20 minute survey is open through tomorrow and, while it was originally designed with 2019 in mind, it includes some supplemental questions specific to 2020. If you completed the questionnaire previously, check your inbox for an email from Robert Eyler at Economic Forensics & Analysis that includes a short set of follow-up questions to update your 2020 estimates. Contact Rob if you are uncertain whether your business has already participated or if you need the link resent;
A second multi-state smoke impact survey is being fielded in conjunction with our peers in California and Washington. The economic impact projections will support Congressional lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C., seeking emergency federal funding.
A final note on the wildfires, which have highlighted the subject of crop insurance for more Oregon grape growers. The Oregon Winegrowers Association presented this webinar on insurance as an industry service a few weeks ago.
Like many in our industry, we were saddened to learn late last month that Sanjeev Lahoti, co-founder of Saffron Fields Vineyard in Yamhill, passed away unexpectedly at the home he shared with his wife of 30 years, Angela Summers. Trained as a chemical engineer, Sanjeev also held an MBA and spoke five languages. Angela and Sanjeev became Oregon wine grape farmers in 2004, deciding soon after that to become winemakers as well. To learn more about Sanjeev and Angela, and their love of Oregon, view this interview from Linfield University’s Oregon Wine History Archive.
On Nov. 6, OSHA released its Temporary COVID-19 Rules, which will take effect on Nov. 16. Full text and supporting details are on the Oregon-OSHA website, including an exposure risk assessment form and an overview table to help employers navigate the rules.
Governor Brown Issues Two-Week Pause on Activities in Nine Counties
On Nov. 9, Governor Brown increased to nine the number of counties included in the two-week pause beginning Nov. 11. The statement outlines commercial and personal recommendations to mitigate community spread of COVID-19.
RESEARCH
Participate in the 2019-20 Oregon Wine Industry Economic Impact Study | Deadline: Nov. 11
Every three years, OWB commissions a critical piece of research that provides important information when communicating with the media, lawmakers, granting entities, county commissioners, and more. Please take a few minutes to gather information and complete the economic impact questionnaire that will enable our research partners to produce a comprehensive report for 2019 and estimate the effects of 2020’s events.
Take the Smoke Impact Survey | Deadline: Nov. 11
Anyone who owns or leases vineyards, regardless of whether/how they were impacted by smoke, is requested to complete the Smoke Impact Survey by Nov. 11. This data will enable an estimation of the value of Oregon wine grape crop loss in 2020 due to wildfire smoke impacts, which Oregon’s advocacy teams will use in partnership with other West Coast wine associations to advocate for federal relief through USDA’s Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program (WHIP+).
November 2020 Weather and Climate Forecast
On Nov. 3, Dr. Greg Jones of Linfield University published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at October conditions and forecasts conditions for November, December and January.
EDUCATION
Profit Planner Tutorial Sessions with Tim Hanni MW | Nov. 12 – Dec. 3
Tim Hanni MW of Wine Business Education is hosting a series of tutorial webinars, diving into each of the workbooks within the Profit Planner business planning tool. The next webinar takes place Nov. 12 and covers the Marketing and Sales Workbook.
AHIVOY Accepting Applications for 2021 Wine Industry Professional Training | Deadline: Nov. 15
A few scholarships remain for AHIVOY’s 2021 Wine Industry Professional Training program. Working vineyard stewards and wine industry employers interested in learning more about the program can find information on AHIVOY’s website, along with the application form.
13th International Terroir Congress | Nov. 16
Linfield University’s Wine Lecture Series is sponsoring access to a session at the 13th International Terroir Congress hosted by the University of Adelaide. Register for the sponsored session titled “Scales of Terroir” on Nov. 16 from 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Webinar: Customer Service During COVID-19 | Nov. 19
Travel Oregon presents an interactive panel session on Nov. 19 highlighting techniques that successful business owners are using to create positive experiences in the midst of a complex landscape. Presenters and panelists will highlight strategies, resources and powerful customer service insights that can radically improve public interactions during COVID-19.
NW Center for Small Fruits Research Conference | Dec. 14-16
Join NCSFR for a three-day conference that kicks off Monday, Dec. 14. The tentative agenda includes updates from USDA leadership, research presentations, a NCSFR short film premier and virtual poster sessions. The conference concludes with an awards lunch hour with raffle prizes.
Webinar Series: Grape Red Blotch Disease | Through Dec. 15
Join OSU’s Oregon Wine Research Institute (OWRI) for a free live webinar series on Grape Red Blotch Disease. These seminars will focus on research findings from Oregon-based studies conducted by researchers at OWRI and partners at USDA-ARS covering virus epidemiology, vector identification and biology, grapevine performance, wine production, fruit and wine composition, and wine sensory results. Each seminar will allow a live Q&A session, and ODA pesticide credits are approved for the first five seminars in the series.
OPPORTUNITIES
Share Your Community’s Story with the OWB
The Oregon wine industry is full of clubs, committees, co-ops, partnerships, friends and neighbors. We want to get to know you and your community. One Tuesday afternoon each month, the OWB team will host representatives of 3-4 wineries for a 90-minute virtual happy hour. Sign up to share what brings you all together, your collective goals, challenges and, of course, your wines.
OTHER NEWS
2021 Oregon Wine Industry Awards Nominations Open | Deadline: Nov. 15
Nominations for the 2021 Oregon Wine Industry Awards are being accepted until Nov. 15. The awards recognize contributions to the industry and will be presented during the Oregon Wine Symposium in February.
2021 Federal Crop Insurance | Deadline: Nov. 20
Oregon vineyards can obtain federal crop insurance through the USDA Risk Management Agency at a subsidized rate depending on the scope of the policy. Growers have until Nov. 20 to sign up for insurance for the 2021 crop year.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The OWB’s industry website hosts a calendar that includes industry-facing events as well as events with significant industry participation. Consult it when scheduling or rescheduling events to avoid conflicts, and don’t forget to post entries as well.
Links to post to both the industry calendar and the OWB’s consumer-facing calendar can be found here.
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