The November edition of the Grapevine includes a reminder about the Oregon Wine Industry Labor and Salary Survey, the Program Announcement for the Oregon Wine Symposium, and an opportunity to be part of our Oregon Wine Gift Guide. Read more below.
Letter from Gina Bianco
Dear Industry Colleagues,
As we embark on the holiday season, I want to take the opportunity to give thanks for all who have supported OWB programs and activities throughout the year. Additionally, I am so proud to have a strong OWB team firmly in place, that is working hard every day to better serve you. We have accomplished a lot this year and we’re very excited for what lies ahead as we head into the new year. As we look to 2025, I wanted to touch on a few projects that we will be working on.
OWB 2025 Strategic Planning
In early December, the OWB board and staff will kick off the 2025-2030 strategic planning process with our consultants, Coraggio Group, based in Portland. We are excited to begin this work and collaborate with the industry, trade and our adjacent partners in tourism, education, hospitality and more. Foremost in our approach to planning is that we are giving you ample opportunity to provide us with your thoughts. We want your input and we want you to be part the process and the solution. To that end, we invite you to participate in the OWB Listening Session from 2pm to 4pm on day two (Tuesday, February 4) of the Oregon Wine Symposium. Whether you’re attending Symposium or not, we welcome you to join the Listening Session. Let us know you’re coming by registering for this free session here and select the OWB Interactive Listening Session ONLY option if you are not attending the Symposium.
Wine Tourism Strategic Plan
We are thrilled to have received a Wine Country License Plate matching grant from Travel Oregon to develop a five-year statewide approach to promoting Oregon Wine. This planning process will work alongside our broader five-year strategic plan and will be incorporated into the final strategic plan. We will be kicking off this work in January and look forward to engaging with our industry, trade and tourism partners to develop a comprehensive plan and set of assets and tools to bring the Oregon wine story to all audiences while being true to the local branding so important to each region’s unique identity.
Come Over October – Worldwide Success!
As you may know, OWB was a Champion Sponsor for the Come Over October (COO) campaign. We are so pleased at the worldwide results COO garnered and we appreciate the Oregon industry’s engagement and the collaboration we had with our regional winery associations and wine businesses across the state. We thank you for participating in Oregon’s COO campaign! This initiative shows the power of the wine industry when we work together toward a common goal. In the US and internationally, the campaign reached:
4.6 million people through social media
10+ million impressions across 1000+ stores (Total Wine, Kroger, Gary’s and more)
1.7 billion press impressions, including podcasts, radio, Forbes, Associated Press, The Washington Post, International Business Times and Yahoo News!
3 million people via advertising in Wine Enthusiast, Tasting Panel Magazine, SOMM Journal, VinePair, Wine Folly, and more
OWB looks forward to collaborating with you on a continuation of the campaign this coming spring. Keep an eye out for more information coming soon.
Wishing you an abundance of tasting room visitors, wine club memberships and gift-giving wine sales throughout the holiday season and beyond!
Tips & Best Practices for crafting compelling Oregon wine gift suggestions
Digital Graphics & Assets for use in your e-newsletters, digital ads, social media posts, print materials, and more
Social Media Recommendations and Amplification Opportunities
Gift Registration Form to submit your gifting landing page for consumers looking for wine gift ideas
Next week, OWB will launch the Oregon Wine Gift Guide, featuring top gifting suggestions for Oregon wines. Your submission will be included and we’ll actively promote the campaign through social and digital channels, as well as our 40k+ consumer mailing list, ensuring your gifting submission will have expanded reach.
Let’s work together to put a bottle of Oregon Wine on every holiday table – the gift that brings people together. Tag @oregonwineboard in your gifting campaigns on social media, and we’ll help amplify your efforts!
Oregon Wine Media Library – Share and Utilize Imagery
As a reminder, the OWB has a media library that is available to the industry. To use, simply request access to the site, which includes professional photography of Oregon wine imagery. Additionally, if you would like to share your images for others to use, you are welcome to upload them here.
Reminder: Order Your Oregon Wine Touring Guides
Get ready for the holiday season! Copies of the current Oregon Wine Touring Guide are still available to order. This edition is an 80-page magazine full of compelling editorial, beautiful photography, helpful local tips and tasting room listings with regional maps. Printed guides come in boxes of 40 and may be ordered here.
Wine Industry Marketing
TTB Social Media Guidelines Update
The TTB released new social media guidelines at the end of October pertaining the use of social media (broken down by platform) in the advertising of alcohol beverages. Questions concerning these guidelines should be directed to the TTB Market Compliance office at: [email protected].
Education
2025 Oregon Wine Symposium Program Announcement
The 2025 Oregon Wine Symposium program is now live! Industry volunteers from around the state have worked with the OWB team to develop a curriculum aimed at helping to drive resiliency, growth and success in your business. Register today to join us at the Oregon Convention Center on Monday and Tuesday, February 3-4, 2025. Early Bird pricing is available until Monday, January 6.
Please send up to FOUR submissions (TWO bottles) per brand (a Malbec, a Merlot, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Bordeaux red varietal blend). **Blend must be at least 75% Bordeaux varietals. (+SPK) Varietal-specific sparkling wine accepted.
1. Send TWO bottles of each submission.
2. Include retail price.
3. No price limit.
4. Wine must be received by 5pm on Tuesday, December 17.
Please send your submissions (by UPS or FedEx only) to: Oregon Lithoprint, Attn: Cellar Selects OWP, 1315 N.E. Miller St., McMinnville, OR 97128
Drop-off on weekdays between 8am-5pm
Oregon Wine Press Almanac Issue – Submit content by December 6
Oregon Wine Press Editor Michele Francisco is seeking the following content for OWP’s January Almanac issue:
1. Wineries celebrating a milestone anniversary (10/15/20/25/30/35/40/45/50/55/60).
2. Wineries, staff members or wines that received a significant award or accolade in 2024. Please send a brief quote about it, along with the title of the award/accolade, and name and title of person being quoted.
3. Industry members that have any predictions for Oregon wine or see any new trends within our industry (e.g., the rise in sparkling wine production, climate change, sustainable farming practices, adopting more eco-friendly packaging and materials, etc.). She will consider examples of ideas you have recently implemented as well. Please send a brief quote and include the name and title of person being quoted.
Please email your answers to Michele no later than Friday, December 6: [email protected]. High-resolution images are welcome as well.
Research
Viticulture & Enology
November 2024 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.
2025-26 Viticulture & Enology Research RFP Available
As a reminder, the 2025 Request for Proposals for Viticulture & Enology Research Projects is now available to view. Each year, OWB seeks proposals for research projects relevant to Oregon viticulture and/or enology and consistent with the OWB’s Strategic Plan for Viticulture and Enology Research. Applications will be accepted through the Unified Grant Management website between December 1-January 31. Any questions may be directed to Jess Willey, OWB Research and Education Director.
Wine Industry Business
Reminder: Take the Oregon Wine Labor & Salary Survey by Dec. 20
As a reminder, the annual Oregon Wine Salary and Labor Survey is open for responses until December 20. This OWB-sponsored survey, conducted since 2017, collects data on salaries and wages for the Oregon wine industry. The anonymous survey only takes 15-20 minutes to complete, and the report provides current and historical information on wages and salaries that can be used by vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms in planning and making hiring decisions. Learn more here or get started by clicking here. Please reach out to Jess Willey, OWB Research & Education Director, with any questions regarding the survey. Thank you for your participation!
New: View the Salary Survey Q & A Session with Dr. Jeff Peterson
Thank you to those who joined our Q & A session with Dr. Peterson last week, and for those who are interested in the information and were unable to attend, you can watch the recording here.
2024 Oregon Vineyard and Winery Census Survey
To better address industry needs, the survey for the 2024 Oregon Vineyard and Winery Census will launch in mid-December,about two months earlier than previous surveys. This new timing will allow the pricing report to be released in early spring 2025, and the full report in early summer. This annual census initiative asks every vineyard and winery business in Oregon to respond with harvest, production, and sales data, in order to develop a full picture of the year in Oregon wine.
As a reminder, this survey will be sent directly from research partner Bob Parker and his team at the Institute for Policy Research and Engagement (IPRE) at the University of Oregon. Keep an eye out for more information coming soon!
Opportunities
Final Chance! Nominate a Peer for a 2025 Oregon Wine Industry Award
The Oregon Wine Industry Awards represent a tradition dating back more than three decades. They provide the opportunity to celebrate individuals whose work has made a significant contribution to our industry’s collective success. The nomination period for the 2025 Oregon Wine Industry Awards is open through end of day today, Nov. 22.
All are invited to make nominations, which will be considered by the Oregon Wine Board of Directors at its December meeting. Award recipients will be notified mid-December and recognized during the Oregon Wine Symposium in February. Please direct any questions about these awards to the OWB via email.
Other News & Information
Grape Assessment Information: Sales to Canada
The OWB has received inquiries regarding grape sales to Canada. As a reminder: An Oregon vineyard who sells and exports grapes to a non-OR winery without OLCC permit owes $12.50/ton directly to OLCC.
For questions about filing the Oregon Wine Board Tax, contact the OLCC at [email protected].
Thursday, December 5 from 9am-2pm
Kimpton Riverplace Hotel, Portland
The Oregon Wine Board and Staff will hold
the December board meeting and all members of the industry are invited and welcome to attend. To learn more and/or RSVP, email [email protected].
