Dear Friends,
CONGRATULATIONS to vineyard professionals and winemakers around the state on jobs very well done. Just six months ago Oregon’s vintage appeared to be in jeopardy. However, the latest reports indicate that the vines responded to your careful attention and things broke right in Oregon with those late-season weather conditions. The early assessments of fruit quality are also encouraging.
As you pick up where you left off before harvest and crush, here’s what we’ve been up to at the Oregon Wine Board (OWB):
First, we’re eager to hear your opinions and feedback about our work in education, marketing, research, and communications. Here is the link to a quick OWB satisfaction survey that will help us more effectively invest industry resources and grant funds. We’ll be awarding Symposium tickets to a few respondents chosen at random next month. This survey is open until Friday, Dec. 2.
If your winery sales team is planning out the coming year, don’t miss this first summary of support items we’re assembling for Oregon Wine Month ’23. There’s more to come next month, including an industry Zoom during which more program details will be announced.
We’re welcoming Dionne Irvine (Rogue Valley) and Gary Mortensen (Willamette Valley), who have each accepted the Governor’s appointment to join the nine-member Oregon Wine Board of Directors. We’re very glad to have such esteemed industry members working on your behalf along with my team and all returning Directors.
And if you’re interested in seeing your Oregon Wine Board in action, Zoom in to the next regularly scheduled Directors meeting on the morning of Friday, Dec. 2. All OWB meetings are open to the public. Just let us know if you need the Zoom meeting link.
Not long after our Board meeting, we’ll convene our next all-industry Zoom forum on Tuesday, Dec.13 at 11 a.m. We’ll be joined by guests, including Sam Tannahill and OSU Ag. College Dean Staci Simonich, sharing some details on the comprehensive plans the college is making to support Oregon’s $7.2B wine sector. Register here
While you’ve been busy picking and crushing, we have been planning the return of the Oregon Wine Symposium at the Oregon Convention Center on Feb. 14-15. It will be brought to you by OWB and the Oregon Winegrowers Association (OWA). And YES, it will be LIVE and IN PERSON again. Have a look at the program here then register to attend.
P.S. The picture below from my scrapbook, was taken last month with industry icons Frédéric & Véronique Drouhin. Their family has been championing Oregon since first purchasing land in the Dundee Hills in 1987 when there were only 65 wineries in the state (the 2021 count is 1,058). Véronique Drouhin has been Domaine Drouhin Oregon’s (DDO) winemaker since the first vintage (1988). Her brother Frédéric is the President of Maison Joseph Drouhin globally. Here, they are at the winery before we sat down with DDO President and CEO David Millman to talk about recent developments including the latest expansion of the Drouhin family’s Oregon vineyard holdings in the Willamette Valley.
Tom Danowski
President
Marketing
Oregon Wine Month 2023 Sell Sheets Available Now
OWB is hard at work to deliver another strong campaign this coming spring. Industry members are invited to download and share the initial sell sheets. Promotional period specific and evergreen version.
Reminder: Order Your Complimentary Oregon Wine Touring Guides
As planning continues for the 2023 edition of the Oregon Wine Touring Guide, OWB is down to the last batch of 2020-22 editions and now is the perfect time to order copies. It is available for complimentary order and delivery to tasting rooms and tourism businesses throughout Oregon.
The largest in-person wine industry trade show and education seminar in the Northwest unites experts from the scientific and wine business communities to share the latest learnings, best practices, and industry expertise. After two years of hybrid events, the 2023 Oregon Wine Symposium will reunite the Northwest wine industry for two days of learning, connecting, and growing together at the Oregon Convention Center. Register at Earlybird rates
Press & Media
Press Highlights
The New York Times Showcases Sustainability and Oregon Winemakers
In “Savoring Oregon’s Wine Country, No Driving Required”, Elaine Glusac highlights local winemakers and sustainability in McMinnville. This article has been republished in other outlets like the Honolulu Star.
Punchdrink.com Talks About the Raptors Protecting Oregon Vineyards
In her article, “The Vineyard Falcon Does Not Suffer Fools“, Rebecca Grant writes about master falconer Alina Blankenship, her relationship with her raptors, and the protective role they play in our vineyards.
Media Opportunities: Calls for Wine
Honest Cooking I Deadline Nov. 25Honest Cooking extended the deadline for their special winter wines issue to Nov. 25.
The Drinks Business I Deadline Jan. 13The Global Pinot Noir Masters recognizes and rewards the finest Pinot Noirs on the world stage. If you have any questions, please contact enter@theglobalmasters.co.uk.
Sean Sullivan is Introducing the Northwest Wine Report
Writer and critic Sean Sullivan, formerly of the Wine Enthusiast, has rebranded his site from Washington Wine Report to Northwest Wine Report. The site will now be covering all things wine in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia. Read plans for the site here and see details about sending your wines to Sullivan for review here.
Research
2022 Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) Awards
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced its $70 million investment in 25 SCRI awards. Selected projects address key challenges of national, regional, and multistate importance in sustaining all components of food and agriculture, including conventional and organic food production systems. Among the 25 winning projects, two are for grape research. NIFA also has released its request for applications (RFA) for the 2023 SCRI program.
Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research Conference | Nov. 14 -16
The NCSFR Fall Newsletter includes updates on Pacific Northwest research, USDA funding, and events. Get future editions sent directly to your inbox by signing up here. Looking for info about the upcoming conference? Get details here. A limited amount of scholarships are available.
Opportunities
Make a Nomination for the 2023 Oregon Wine Industry Awards | Deadline Nov. 11.
Nominations for the 2023 Oregon Wine Industry Awards are being accepted until Nov. 11. The awards recognize contributions to the industry in the categories of Lifetime Achievement, Founder, Outstanding Industry Leadership, Vineyard Excellence, and Industry Partner.
Participate in Women Raising the Bar 2023 Study | Deadline Nov. 18.
This Women in Wine Oregon and Women of the Vine & Spirits study offers people working in the beverage alcohol sector the opportunity to have their voices heard to help identify improvement opportunities for companies across the beverage alcohol value chain. All responses go to Deloitte and will be kept confidential. This year, the survey is open to Women employed across the supply chain. Please take the survey and/or forward it to your networks, to help better understand the various aspects of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in our industry in Oregon.
Tell us how we are doing | Deadline Dec. 2.
The Oregon Wine Board (OWB) will be reviewing and updating its Industry’s strategic roadmap. We invite all members of the Oregon wine industry to share their perspectives in an anonymous survey about how OWB is meeting industry expectations in our functional areas: Viticulture & Enology Research, Marketing & Media Relations, and Industry Education. Click here to take the survey.
Provide Input for the development of OWB’s 23-24 Budget | Deadline Dec. 30.
While feedback can be provided anytime during the year, we want to call attention to this form in the OWB’s Business Planning toolkit. Scroll down to “How to Stay Involved” and you’ll see a few fields where you can submit your ideas and suggestions for activities or programs for consumers, trade, or industry.
Other News
Protect Oregon Wines, Join CA and WA in Stopping Counterfeits
The California Wine Institute (CWI) has obtained a USDA Technical Assistance grant to build a database of wines to determine authenticity. This database will provide references for wines, varieties and winegrowing regions. Oregon has been invited to contribute. The only costs to the winery are for the sample (50 ml.) and shipment to, or drop-off at, the laboratory. Samples must be comprised of 95% or more of the principal grape variety. Learn more about how you can assist in helping identify Oregon’s standards of identity. For additional information, contact Dr. Patricia Howe phowe@WineNMR.org .
Tom Danowski
President
