Dear Friends,
Industry members may recall seeing some newer faces representing the Oregon Wine Board (OWB) management team over the past few months. And they might wonder, “who is working now at the OWB and what are they all doing?”
Here’s the team:
Marie Chambers continues as our Vice President managing all accounting activities plus compliance, financial analysis, reporting and budget planning. She also sets the strategic course for our International Marketing program, oversees HR, administers grant awards, and works with the Dep’t. of Justice attorneys when necessary.
Bree Stock MW directs OWB’s expanding efforts in Industry, Trade, and Consumer Education. This has been an area of competitive advantage for Oregon since wine organizations in neighboring states do not dedicate full-time staff to education and often look to Oregon for best-of-show curriculum design and delivery.
Stacey Kohler is in her sixth year now facilitating the daily workflow of the Board and focusing on special projects such as the annual industry awards. She is most likely the person you hear from first when you get in touch with us or have questions about any one of the many OWB meetings, programs, or online resources.
David DeWitt joined us just over a year ago as Trade Relations Manager leading the charge on Oregon Wine Month, developing and promoting trade support resources and making the business case for Brand Oregon with key U.S. distributors, retailers, and sommeliers.
Neil Ferguson is our Marketing Manager with primary responsibility for OWB’s consumer-facing initiatives, including oregonwine.org, all tourism programming, marketing grant execution, and a more expansive and measurable social media strategy.
Celine Fauveau Schaff, with a background in winemaking and wine biotechnology marketing, coordinates the V & E Research Committees. She is also taking on other important research projects as well as industry communications through industry.oregonwine.org and OWB’s bi-weekly Grapevine newsletter.
Linea Gagliano joined us last month as Communications Director. We’re glad to have her with us along with the years of experience she brings from Travel Oregon. Linea has already been out with writers visiting growers and winemakers, enriching and extending our relationships with both online and offline global influencers.
I focus on supporting the activities listed above and on working with growers, winemakers and other partners to deliver on our business plan. Much of my time is spent allocating resources and creative capital to accelerate the industry’s growth while supporting equitable outcomes for our stakeholders.
OWB’s full-time headcount stands at eight. As you can see in the exhibit below, that staffing level has remained pretty much constant over the past decade while some other important dimensions of our $7+ billion industry have shown dramatic growth.
You also see in the exhibit above the bites that inflation has taken out of the effective grape tax rate since it was first legislated at $25 per ton 39 years ago. Marie Chambers calculates that the purchasing power of $25 in 1983 would require $68 today.
My co-workers and I congratulate you all on what is shaping up so far to be an historic vintage despite that memorable April frost. We look forward to seeing more of your harvest and crush pictures so we can document the great “snap back” of 2022. You can upload your content using the Dropbox link or email directly to [email protected].
P.S. the organizers of Women in Wine Oregon, together with Women of the Vine & Spirits, passed along this survey link with an invitation to provide your answers to better understand the various aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our industry. The questionnaire can be filled out until Nov. 18. All responses go to Deloitte and will be kept confidential. Please pass the link along to others in your networks to help maximize Oregon’s visibility when the results are presented.
P.P.S. we’re approaching that time of year when we ask for your input in development of OWB’s 2023-24 budget. While feedback can come anytime during the year, we want to call attention to this form now in the OWB Business Planning toolkit. Scroll down to “How to Stay Involved” and you’ll see a few fields where you can explain your ideas or suggestions so managers and OWB Directors can factor them into our work during planning.
Tom Danowski
President
Marketing
Promote Your Harvest: Share Content with Oregon Wine Board
OWB is looking to share the passion, hard work, and beauty of this special time of year with consumers across our social media platforms. Collectively, these platforms reach over 50,000 current and potential lovers of Oregon wine as well as industry members, tastemakers, and press, offering the opportunity to garner publicity and build excitement for your business. Wineries and/or vineyards are invited to send us photos and videos captured during harvest that will be promoted on relevant OWB channels with full accreditation and tagging. Upload your content using the Dropbox link or email directly to [email protected].
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.
Education
Register: WISE Academy Willamette Valley Advanced Tasting Room Best Practices | Nov. 8 – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
This crash course in tasting room best practices is aimed at experienced as well as entry level tasting room staff. It teaches how to educate and entertain visitors as well as how to build rapport with guests to tailor their experience. More information here.
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.
Press & Media
Press Highlights
JancisRobinson.com Shares Willamette Valley Travel Guide
In her recent article, Samantha Cole-Johnson offers tips to “explore Oregon’s world-class wine region while using the valley’s charming towns as a base.”
Food & Wine Sings the Praise of Oregon Wine
Brian Freedman with Food & Wine penned an excellent article, “How to Find the Best Wines in Oregon.” The article leads with the varieties of fruit being grown throughout Oregon and mentions many specific Willamette Valley wines.
MSN.com Recommends Hood River as a Wine Destination “Exploring Hood River Wineries By Foot,” on MSN.com showcases wines and experiences in the Columbia River Gorge, stating: “Marketed as a “world of wine in 40 miles,” the Columbia Gorge AVA established in 1984, straddles the border between Washington State and Oregon. 50 wineries reside in this wine region with 90 vineyards and over 1,300 vineyard acres planted.”
Club Oenologique Touts Tempranillo
Jillian Dara writes of Tempranillo’s Rogue Valley Rise, saying, “Southern Oregon is taking advantage of the fact that it falls on the same latitude and has similar weather patterns to those in the Rioja region in order to carve out a new niche for the Tempranillo grape.”
Media Opportunities: Calls for Wine
Honest Cooking I Deadline Nov. 1Honest Cooking is now considering featuring Sparkling and Winter wines from Oregon in their magazine. Learn More.Decanter I Deadline Nov. 2
The oldest consumer wine publication in the UK reaching millions of wine lovers in over 100 countries around the globe, has requested Albariño from Oregon. Learn moreThe 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 [email protected].
Research
October 2022 Weather and Climate Forecast
Dr. Greg Jones recently published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at September conditions and forecasts conditions for October, November, and December
Wine & Vine World Congres and OIV General Assembly | Oct. 31 – Nov. 4
These events will be hosted by Mexico and will bring together some of the world’s main specialists in viticulture and enology, as well as in health, safety, law, and economics. This Congress will address current viti-vinicultural global production challenges under the themes: Sustainability, Covid, and Climate Change. View program and registration information here.
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 2023 Oregon Wine Industry Awards
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.
Other News
Protect Oregon Wine Authenticity. 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 [email protected] .
Tom Danowski
President
