LETTER FROM MARIE CHAMBERS

Many of you are familiar with the Oregon Wine Brotherhood, an organization of wine enthusiasts dedicated to promoting and supporting the wines of Oregon and southern Washington through education and scholarships. They have traditionally funded wine education scholarships at Chemeketa Community College, Oregon State University and others. The OWB is honored this year to be a recipient of their grant program for a project that will help us further educate industry members on advanced professional sales methods in DTC and distribution and other winery business topics. I’d like to especially acknowledge Court Carrier from the Brotherhood, who supported and worked with us on the grant application.
 
In case you missed it in the flurry of harvest activity, we recently opened registration for the 2019 Oregon Wine Symposium. Our education committees have been working very hard over the past six months to pull together an innovative slate of sessions, with topics including understanding wildfire impacts on grapes, exploration of the microbiome, benchmarking for successful business decisions, and many more. Viticulture sessions on Tuesday will be interpreted live for Spanish-speaking attendees. We will also be joined by more than 175 suppliers at the largest wine industry trade show in the Northwest. The early bird ticket discount is available through Jan. 15, and Oregon Winegrowers Association members are eligible for an additional $60 discount. We work hard to make sure the Oregon Wine Symposium delivers the highest-value educational experience for our industry and we hope to see you and your team there. Register today.
 
If you are interested in expanding your distribution through export markets or supporting markets you already export to, consider participating in one of our international tasting events this winter and spring. OWB-hosted tasting events are funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Market Access Program. These funds are specifically earmarked for promotion of Oregon wines outside the U.S. In the upcoming year, we will be hosting events in Osaka, Tokyo, London and Toronto. If you are interested in attending, find details here.
 
Finally, a quick note to let you know that an update to the 2017 Vineyard and Winery Report has been posted. You’ll find more details about the changes below.

NEWS FROM THE OREGON WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION
From Jana McKamey, Vice President of Government Affairs and Operations

The United States, Canada and Mexico recently completed negotiations on a new, modernized free trade agreement to succeed NAFTA. The pending U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement must still be approved by Congress. The U.S. wine industry pushed for an end to discriminatory measures that favor domestic production in Canadian provinces, particularly in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. Canada is the top export market for Oregon wine, representing nearly 50% of all exports, but trade barriers have curtailed market growth. As part of the agreement, Canada agreed to resolve the ongoing World Trade Organization dispute involving the exclusive access of British Columbia-produced wines to B.C. grocery store shelves by November 2019. While trade barriers still remain, this represents a step towards improved market access for Oregon wines in Canada. 

The OWA sent an industry-wide alert last week asking for assistance for Rogue Valley winegrowers impacted by extensive last minute contract cancellations. We appreciate the outpouring of responses received. We have been working alongside a number of Oregon wineries to support local growers and connect them to potential resources. Stay tuned for more information on collaborative efforts to help support your fellow wine community members.

OREGON WINE SYMPOSIUM

2019 Oregon Wine Symposium Registration Now Open

Preliminary Call for Participation in 2019 Symposium Wine Trials

MARKETING

2019 International Event Registration Now Open

Make a Nomination for 2019 OPC International Trade Tour | Deadline: Dec. 1

EDUCATION

OWRI Seminar Series: Water Reduction in Wine Grapes Using HydroShield | Oct. 16

27th Annual Oregon Water Law Conference | Nov. 8-9

RESEARCH

Take the Silicon Valley Bank Annual Wine Conditions Survey | Deadline: Oct. 19

Updated 2017 Oregon Vineyard and Winery Report Now Available

October 2018 Weather and Climate Forecast

CALLS FOR WINE

American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition | Deadline: Oct. 22

San Francisco International Wine Competition | Deadline: Oct. 26

Enobytes Seeking Oregon Syrah | Deadline: Nov. 15

TEXSOM International Wine Awards: Free Shipping

James Suckling Submissions Closed

OPPORTUNITIES

Pour at Chemeketa’s 2018 Nouveau Release Party

Vinexpo New York 2019 Exhibitor Opportunities

Northwest Wine Radio Now Booking 2019

OTHER NEWS

Media Calls on Fires and Smoke Taint Affecting Grapes

Find or List Grapes for Sale on the OWB’s Marketplace

2019 Oregon Wine Industry Awards Nominations Open | Deadline: Nov. 16

OWB QUICK LINKS

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UPCOMING EVENTS