I hope we didn’t miss many wineries last week with the latest reminder to update their tasting room profiles in our system by this Friday, October 29. If we did, the form is right here. Please take two minutes this week and refresh anything that’s no longer current so consumers reading the 2022 edition of our online guide or browsing the OWB and Travel Oregon websites will be kept up to date.
Also this Friday, we need to wrap up the annual survey in which we ask for your feedback on the Wine Board’s programs and performance.
Thank you to those who have already replied. If you still want to offer your opinions, click here to access the survey which only takes about 6-7 minutes to complete. The survey is one of our first steps in developing the next annual Oregon Wine Board budget. If you have additional ideas or input for the Board to consider in its planning, please take a couple weeks and let us know what’s on your mind by November 12 by downloading and returning this input form.
OWB’s latest grant award from the Oregon Department of Ag and USDA is dedicated to putting a new analytics platform and consultative training package within reach of wineries seeking to increase the productivity of their direct-to-consumer programs.
The Community Benchmark and WISE Academy alliance combines data tracking and diagnostics with expert advice on management practices to increase sales. Register here for the statewide Zoom meeting on November 8 during which the Community Benchmark/WISE Academy program will be presented.
Our next virtual all-industry forum is coming up in two weeks on Tuesday, November 9 at 11 a.m. In response to suggestions that these meetings include market insights and trend analysis, we’ll be joined by Jon Moramarco. Jon is an industry veteran who now serves as managing partner of bw166 LLC a data intelligence resource for the beverage alcohol industry. And we’ll also hear from Oregon State University’s Dr. Elizabeth Tomasino with news about a collaborative, four-year federally funded research project she has designed with Drs. Tom Collins (W.S.U.) and Anita Oberholster (UC-Davis) to better understand fire smoke compounds and their effects on grapes and wines. Register here to join us on November 9th.
You can also view the recording of the October 12 Zoom when we heard from OLCC Director Steve Marks and Dr. Alan Sams, Dean at OSU’s College of Agriculture.
And while we’re still a few months from the next virtual Oregon Wine Symposium, we’re just a few weeks away from the deadline to submit industry award nominations. Here’s the form.
In closing, I’m glad to tell you that Neil Ferguson joins our OWB management team this week. Neil brings ten years experience as a digital content and marketing professional, and he’s been working in agriculture for USA Pears since 2017. Neil will manage our various research initiatives, grant administration, and industry communications. I’m sure you’ll join us in welcoming Neil when he shows up in our Zoom rooms and live meetings. In Memoriam
Oregon’s wine community lost a true industry leader with the recent passing of Maria Stuart of R. Stuart and Company on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. Maria passed suddenly after living with a rare form of cancer for 20 months.
During a visit to the IPNC in 1990, Maria was taken with the Willamette Valley and local winemaker, Rob Stuart, who later became her husband and co-founder of R. Stuart and Company, in McMinnville’s Granary District in 2001. A gathering to celebrate Maria’s remarkable life will be announced soon.
Tom Danowski
President
Marketing
Oregon Wine Month 2022 Webinar #1 | Nov. 10
Registration is now open for our first of two Oregon Wine Month 2022 webinars on Wednesday, November 10 at 11 a.m. Join us to learn about the program’s tactics, tools, timeline and more. Register now.
Travel Oregon “Only Slightly Exagerated” campaign
Last week, Travel Oregon launched its first out-of-state advertising since the start of the pandemic with the return of its successful cinematic, animated “Only Slightly Exaggerated” campaign. To share assets across your business and social channels, website and newsletters, please use the campaign toolkit.
Education
Registration for the 2022 Oregon Wine Symposium is now open
The annual premier education event and trade show for the Northwest wine industry, the Oregon Wine Symposium, will once again unite experts from the scientific and wine business communities to share the latest research, best practices, and industry expertise in a virtual format February 15-17, 2022. The Early Bird price of $79 per person is available through Jan. 14. Groups of four or more receive an additional 20% off Full Access tickets per registrant, and there are other discount opportunities for educators, students, and Spanish language speakers. Learn more and register.
Community Benchmark, WISE Academy & OWB partnership
OWB is proud to announce the successful application for a Specialty Crop Block Grant from the Oregon Department of Agriculture that establishes an exciting partnership with Community Benchmark and WISE Academy. The partnership makes available to any Oregon winery a DTC dashboard, detailed analytics, and DTC training expertise for two years. The cost to businesses is $150. Learn more and sign up.
Assemblage Presents: Virtual DE&I training series for the industry
Together with Argyle Winery, Soter Vineyards, King Estate Winery, and Stoller Wine Group, Assemblage invites the Oregon wine industry to participate in a three-part virtual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training led by Seattle based agency Fleur Larsen Facilitation. Topics will include: building equity-based leadership skills, engaging in and managing healthy conflict, acknowledging workplace generational differences, fostering connection over correction, and creating a culture of belonging to build diverse teams. Sessions take place December 1st, 9th, 14th. Register now.
Research
OWB Annual Industry Satisfaction Survey | Deadline: Oct. 29
We invite all members of the Oregon Wine industry to share their perspectives in an anonymous survey about how well OWB is meeting expectations across each of our primary functional areas.
October 2021 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.
Opportunities
Calls for wine | The Wine Advocate: Deadline: Nov. 10
Erin Brooks, Oregon reviewer for The Wine Advocate, will be reviewing up to 500 Oregon wines in an upcoming comprehensive tasting. Erin’s Oregon report will focus on wines from the 2019 vintage. All grape varieties are welcome from all Oregon AVAs and are due by November 10. Find complete submission details here.
Applications are now open for vineyard stewards and employers to participate in the 2022 AHIVOY Wine Industry Professional training program. Application details and FAQs can be found on the AHIVOY website, and AHIVOY representatives are available to meet with vineyard stewards to answer any questions they may have about the program.
Other news
Oregon Wine Industry Forum | Next meetings: Nov. 9, Dec. 14
The monthly Oregon Wine Industry Forum continues November 9 at 11 a.m. Register for the final two meetings of 2021 to stay current on industry trends, connect with industry members across the state, and keep informed on OWB programming and opportunities.
Make a 2022 Oregon Wine Industry Awards nomination | Deadline: Nov. 15
Nominations for the 2022 Oregon Wine Industry Awards are being accepted until Nov. 15. The awards recognize contributions to the industry in the categories of Lifetime Achievement, Founder, Outstanding Industry Leadership, Vineyard Excellence, and Industry Partner.
OWB’s COVID-19 Toolkit
OWB’s COVID-19 Toolkit includes the latest information on Governor Brown’s statewide mask mandate as well as information from Oregon OSHA. The latter includes a workplace advisory memo regarding employer enforcement of facial coverings in response to the reinstated mandate.
