Dear Friends,
I’ll keep this letter short as we know you’re busy preparing for a busy holiday weekend.
It’s almost time again for Specialty Crop Block Grant applications. This class of awards from the Oregon Department of Agriculture is designed to assist both for-profit and non-profit industry associations.
These 2024-25 grants do not require matching funds. The application period begins on Friday, Dec. 1, but it’s open for almost nine weeks until Jan.31, 2024. Read here for more information about the process.
And remember your group may be eligible to fill out this simple request form for money from the Oregon Wine Board to help offset the cost of hiring a grant writer.
Join us Thursday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. for the Wine Board’s next all-industry webinar during which we will present more details on the Board’s budgeting for next year, plus a look at re-designed materials for Oregon Wine Flies Free, and tips on accessing the hundreds of new vineyard and winery pics available in our recently launched media library portal.
Oregon Wine Symposium 2024 is only 12 weeks away. Save the dates Feb.13-14, and lock in the best discounted prices on your tickets right here.
Join us in offering a hearty CONGRATULATIONS to Dr. James Osborne, who was appointed last month as Director of the Oregon Wine Research Institute. Dr. Osborne has been recognized for distinguished scholarship and exceptional teaching while also serving as an invaluable partner to Oregon winemakers over the years. Well done OSU for elevating James!
Last month we summarized the latest satisfaction survey results reflecting how industry members rated OWB’s work on a 1-10 scale. Your responses are displayed in the pie chart below on the right. But a question came up about how the 2023 ratings compare to previous surveys. See below at left for the breakdown of responses a decade ago to the same question.
Finally, and on behalf of OWB’s management team, I extend our sincere wishes to you all for a safe, happy, and memorable holiday weekend.
Tom Danowski
President
In Memoriam
The global wine and vineyard community lost a true icon and friend with the passing of Scott Henry on October 26. Scott truly cared about other people and the Oregon Wine industry, contributing to the historic, unprecedented growth it experienced during his involvement since the early 1970s.
His background as an aeronautical engineer, and then as an Umpqua Valley grape trellis innovator, has been well-chronicled over the years. But he was so much more.
I had the privilege of working for Scott for over 25 years and such an honor it was. My first memories of Scott date back to the newly formed Oregon Wine Advisory Board which was working to set up some structure and guidelines for the crazy notion of growing wine grapes and making wine here. His leadership in the mid-70s planted the seeds of professionalism that helped establish the success Oregon wines enjoy today.
Scott Henry was a true Oregon Wine pioneer in the purest sense. His unparalleled support and wisdom have given Oregon wine a position in the world of wine we could not have accomplished without his guidance.
Written by by Doyle Hinman
Marketing
OWB Marketing
OWB Launches Extensive Media Library
The new Media Library is the result of a statewide photography project partially funded by Travel Oregon’s Wine Country License Plate (WCLP) grant program. The project portrays Oregon’s six wine regions with a mixture of landscape and winery photos, as well as communities and industry members. Featuring more than 1,000 new photos, the library is available to wine industry associations, tourism groups, wineries around the state, and members of the media. The Media Library can be accessed here. Questions and requests can be sent to Director of Marketing Neil Ferguson: [email protected].
OWB’s Marketing and Budget Planning Webinar I Dec. 7 at 10 a.m.
The agenda includes OWB’s 2024-25 budget planning, a review of OWB tools/resources industry members can use for providing input and utilizing our organizational offerings, a media and image library unveil and walk-through, and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide input and ask questions. See the full agenda and register here.
Wine Industry Insights
Wine Business Deep Dive into Organic Farming Costs and Profitability.
The organic market is growing. In the U.S. today, it accounts for 3-4% of vineyard acreage. The comparable figure in Europe’s three largest wine-growing countries is 18%. Craig Ledbetter, VP of Vino Farms in Lodi, looked into the cost and profitability of farming organically. Learn more.
Education
Oregon Wine Symposium Early Bird Registration
The Oregon Wine Growers Association (OWA) and the Oregon Wine Board (OWB) are proud to announce that registration has opened for the largest in-person wine industry trade show and education seminar in the Northwest. On Feb. 13 and 14, the Oregon Wine Symposium will unite experts from the scientific and wine business communities to share the latest learnings, best practices, and industry expertise in a new condensed one day-and-a-half format. Register at the Early Bird rate.
Press and Media
Media Highlights
The Buyer Reports on the Success of Wines from the Edge London Masterclass
Wines from New Zealand and Oregon were presented together at the recent Wines From The Edge tasting in London. Masters of Wine Peter McCombie of New Zealand and OWB’s Bree Stock hosted a tasting comparison in a joint masterclass. The Buyer’s Mike Turner and Roger Jones shared their thoughts and wine picks. Read more.
Wine Spectator Releases Top 100 List
Each year, Wine Spectator editors survey the wines reviewed over the previous 12 months and select their Top 100 based on quality, value, availability, and excitement. This annual list honors successful wineries, regions, and vintages around the world. Review the list to see Oregon’s proud representation including a place in the top 10 with Résonance Pinot noir. Read more.
Vinepair Publishes 50 Best Wines of 2023
In 2023, Vinepair deepened their love of chillable reds, inspiring them to save a spot in the fridge for red wines. They developed a taste for juicy rosés from Austria and found many treasures in the Willamette Valley, with Pinot noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines. Read more.
Decanter Would Like to Hear from You | Respond by Dec. 1
Decanter‘s reach extends to more than 100 countries, with 34% of print and digital distributed in North America. Over the last year, Decanter has made a significant commitment to the U.S. with dedicated editor Clive Pursehouse, who covers Oregon and Washington from Seattle. Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) is celebrating its 20th edition this year and Oregon is currently underrepresented in both submissions and event engagement. Help Decanter understand how it can better serve the Oregon wine industry by taking 5 minutes to participate in their survey.
Register for 2024 London Wine Competition | Submit by Feb. 22
Organized by the Beverage Trade Network, the 2024 London Wine Competition is accepting registrations for submission until Feb. 22, 2024. Learn more.
Research
Viticulture & Enology
November 2023 Weather and Climate Forecast
Dr. Greg Jones recently published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at October conditions and forecasts conditions for November, December, and January 2024.
James Osborne Named Director of the Oregon Wine Research Institute
Founded in 2008 as a partnership between the Oregon wine industry and Oregon State University, the Oregon Wine Research Institute (OWRI) builds on Oregon’s reputation of quality in grape and wine production and enables growers and winemakers to make informed decisions to further enhance its well-deserved reputation. James Osborne will continue to lead his research program as he takes on this new leadership role at the OWRI. Learn more.
Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) Seeks Relevance Reviewers
USDA-NIFA is recruiting industry representatives (growers, packers, shippers, staff from commissions and trade associations, etc.) to volunteer to review the industry relevance of pre-applications for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) for 2024. Relevance reviewers ensure that SCRI projects address critical needs for the grape and wine industry. The time commitment is about 15 – 20 hours total, spread over two months (Jan. Feb.) to review and score pre-applications and to participate in the final 1.5-hour grape panel Zoom meeting the week of Feb. 26, 2024. Learn more.
Opportunities
View OWB Calendar of International Programming, Register to Participate
OWB’s calendar of international events for the 2023-2024 fiscal year is now available and registration is open for all events. The calendar with registration links is available here.
Provide Suggestions and Planning Ideas for Next Fiscal Year | Feb.1
OWB is interested in your budget planning input for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Visit the Annual Business Plan Toolkit for a detailed list of dates, meetings, budget postings, and the idea submission form. Input will be accepted through Feb.1, 2024. If you would like to have a more in-depth discussion regarding your feedback or learn about other feedback we have received, please email [email protected] or reach out to Sally Crawford at [email protected].
Other News
Make a Nomination for 2023 Travel and Tourism Achievement Awards | Deadline Nov.30
Travel Oregon is soliciting nominations for the annual Travel & Tourism Industry Achievement Awards based on work completed in the 2023 calendar year. These annual awards recognize people and organizations across the state that go the extra mile to enhance the travel and tourism industry in Oregon. The award recipients are outstanding examples of professionals who, by virtue of their vision, perseverance, and dedication, are a credit to Oregon’s tourism and hospitality industry. Award recipients will be announced at the Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism, March 11-13, 2024, at the Salem Convention Center. You can read more about categories and submit nominations here.
World of Pinot Noir | Feb. 29 – March 2
The event returns to the seaside Ritz-Carlton Bacara resort in Santa Barbara. The program includes tasting seminars, pairing dinners, and tastings showcasing more than 200 premier Pinot Noir producers from around the globe. Winery registration information and marketing opportunities are available here.