If the demands of the harvest have kept you away from your inbox, Welcome Back.
Here are some calendar items that may be of interest as we look ahead to 2020.
First off, everyone is reminded of this invitation to register for the OWB’s Oregon Wine Trail events, which each include a Master Class on Oregon along with trade and consumer tastings. The next stops on the Oregon Wine Trail tour include San Francisco on March 4 and Seattle the week of May 11. Further details are provided right here and registration closes this Friday.
And if you are looking to expand your business globally, take a look here for information and opportunities to participate in the OWB’s international program. Supplemental grant funding enables an expanded calendar of activities next year and the excitement starts in Mexico on Jan. 29.
Much closer to home is our annual Oregon Wine Symposium set for Feb. 11-12 in Portland. Registration information on the deepest ticket discounts is available right here. And don’t forget that we will once again be recognizing those who innovate and inspire when we present the annual wine industry awards. Click here to see the award categories and a listing of past winners, then nominate a friend or colleague.
Also in Portland is the American Society for Enology and Viticulture’s 71st National Conference. ASEV’s dates are June 15-18. Several Oregon-based research scientists are leading the conference planning and will be featured as speakers. Learn more here.
Finally, our friends at Travel Oregon have partnered with Amazon to develop the Oregon Wine Quiz for Alexa voice-activated devices. Read more about the Quiz then send it on to your friends, wine club members and co-workers. Over the next few weeks you will see the Oregon Wine Quiz promoted by Travel Oregon with social media and publicity campaigns.
Tom Danowski
President
NEWS FROM THE OREGON WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION
Some business owners have been surprised to learn over the past year during routine food safety inspections that their drinking water supplies are being designated as “Public Water Systems.” The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), acting on behalf of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), regularly conducts these inspections and has authority to make such determinations consistent with the federal Clean Water Act of 1972. A “Public Water System” classification is triggered by having 10 or more users on at least 60 days during the year. A “Public Water System” requires an inspection and subsequent review by an approved engineer as well as a more comprehensive water purity testing regime. The OWA has met with ODA about its inspection and enforcement plans and expects to formally comment later this month suggesting ways to minimize the expense and business disruption involved in complying with the intent of the law and ensuring access to safe drinking water. Please contact the OWA if your water supply is classified by ODA as a “Public Water System.” Growers and wineries who do not hold an ODA food safety license but meet the thresholds described above may be inspected by the OHA.
The Oregon Wine Trail tasting event is going to San Francisco (March) and Seattle (May) in 2020. Join the OWB as we host a master class, trade tasting and consumer tasting in each market. Registration is allocated by region and is first-come first-served.
Registration Open for OWB’s 2020 International Events
Registration is now open for OWB’s 2020 slate of international tasting events. Included are events in Mexico City, Toronto, Montréal and Calgary, as well as two tradeshows: ProWein in Germany and Vinexpo in Hong Kong. These events are suited to those already exporting or seeking an importer.
Enter TEXSOM International Wine Awards with Free Shipping | Deadline: Jan. 24
OWB is again partnering with FedEx to provide free Ground shipping on Oregon entries to the TEXSOM International Wine Awards. This program is running through Jan. 24.
An updated 2018 Oregon Vineyard and Winery Report has been posted. Four figures in the grape pricing chart – Vineyard Table 4 – have been corrected and now match those in the preliminary pricing report that was published in July. The corrected values are average and low prices for Pinot noir and Chardonnay from the North Willamette Valley. Excel data tables are also now available to download.
October 2019 Weather and Climate Forecast
On Oct. 3, Dr. Greg Jones of Linfield College published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at September conditions and forecasts conditions for October, November and December.
Silicon Valley Bank State of the Wine Industry Survey | Deadline: Oct. 22
Silicon Valley Bank’s annual State of the Wine Industry survey is open through Oct. 22. From the data gathered, SVB produces its annual report on the industry, and your participation helps enable SVB to report Oregon-specific results. Survey participants will receive anonymous results, detailed analysis and dozens of charts.
Travel Oregon Tourism Workforce Study | Deadline: Nov. 8
To better realize what opportunities exist to support the advancement of tourism-related jobs in Oregon, Travel Oregon is conducting the Oregon Tourism Workforce Survey. If you have ever worked in Oregon’s tourism industry, which includes tasting room hospitality, you are encouraged to participate in, and share, the survey.
EDUCATION
Dr. James Osborne on Dealing with Compromised Fruit
Given the recent wet weather, now is a good time to revisit an article written by Dr. James Osborne, OSU asssociate professor & enology extension specialist, in Wines & Vines on dealing with compromised fruit in the winery.
BioChar Workshop | Oct. 18-19
Join biochar consultant Kelpie Wilson for a free two-day workshop that explores how charred biomass can increase soil productivity, reduce wildfire risk, and slow climate change. The workshop includes a demonstration on making biochar and teaches methods for using biochar in compost and animal barns to recover nutrients for use in soil.
OSU Vineyard Red Blotch Workshop | Nov. 20
OSU Extension is offering a workshop covering recent research on Red Blotch Disease. Presentations will include results of Oregon-based studies investigating potential insect vectors, how the virus affects grapevine physiology, vineyard management practices to ameliorate virus effects, and effects on wine quality. A technical wine tasting will be included to show sensory impacts.
OSU Extension and OWRI are sponsoring a full-day workshop to provide grape growers with in-depth information about powdery mildew biology, management, and ways to avoid powdery mildew forming resistance to the fungicides that are currently in your disease management toolbox. Register by Dec. 2.
CALLS FOR WINE
Submit to Wine Spectator for its Annual Oregon Report | Deadline: Oct. 31
The Wine Spectator’s Napa tasting office is working on its annual Oregon tasting report. If you have not yet sent wines that are already on the market, you have until Oct. 31 to do so.
Call for Symposium 2020 Wine Trial Proposals
If you have an experiment or trial you would like to develop and share at the 2020 Oregon Wine Symposium, contact Scott Dwyer. You may also reach out with an idea for which you need help developing a protocol. The Symposium organizers are searching for three trials, ideally focused on viticulture, enology and a product/tool.
OPPORTUNITIES
Funding Available to Help Offset Organic Certification Costs | Deadline: Oct. 31
The Oregon Department of Agriculture has announced the availability of cost-share rebate funds for certified organic farmers and processors. The rebates are available to cover certification expenses paid between Oct. 1, 2018 and Sept. 30, 2019. The deadline to submit applications is Oct. 31.
Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy Accepting Applications | Deadline: Nov. 1
The Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy is a new experiential learning program for tourism professionals who are seeking to polish their leadership skills, continue to enhance their career, and make lasting contributions to the state’s tourism economy. The deadline to apply is Nov. 1.
Northwest Wine Radio Now Booking 2020
Northwest Wine Radio seeks winemakers for their winter 2020 schedule. Recording takes place on select Mondays in Seattle and participation is free.
OTHER NEWS
2020 Oregon Wine Industry Awards Nominations Open | Deadline: Nov. 8
Nominations for the 2020 Oregon Wine Industry Awards are being accepted until Nov. 8. The awards recognize contributions to the industry and will be presented at a luncheon during the Oregon Wine Symposium in February.
2019 James Suckling Oregon Report Published
The full report from reviewer Nick Stock of JamesSuckling.com, who visited Oregon earlier this year, was recently published. We’ve recapped his enthusiastic assessment and reveal which wine received 99 points.
OWB 2018-19 Annual Report Released
The OWB’s 2018-19 annual report is now available and has been submitted to the State. The report provides a recap of financials as well as a comprehensive overview of activities performed and results achieved by the OWB during the fiscal year that ended June 30.
Find or List Grapes for Sale on OWB’s Marketplace
If you are looking for a buyer for your grapes or are interested in buying grapes, don’t forget to check out the Marketplace on the OWB’s industry website. The Marketplace also includes listings for bulk wine, equipment and job opportunities.
