September 26, 2023

Letter from Tom Danowski

Dear Friends, Industry measurement and reporting is part of the Oregon Wine Board’s research mission alongside funding Viticulture and Enology projects and gathering market intelligence. Our work with vineyard and winery owners in this area supports both the Knowledge & Insights and Leadership & Partnership components of OWB’s Strategic Plan. However, it sometimes places demands on us at inopportune times. That might feel like the case now as an important industry initiative is front and center again. The statewide Economic Impact Study comes up every three years, and the result of this project is an irreplaceable aggregation of data points of importance to every stakeholder in our wine community. While we recognize the urgency of the vintage, we will ask for your help with a few questions when your schedule permits.

Participate in the Economic Impact Study

And as that project gets underway, a second critical industry research commitment is wrapping up. Here, at right, is a snapshot from the 2022 Vineyard and Winery Census report.

The census synthesizes information from more than 700 respondents representing businesses in the most complete and accurate vineyard database Oregon has ever had. The exhibit below reflects census survey participation levels by region and changes compared to last year.

See IPRE research team document outlining their data collection and analysis methods.

Thank you again to everyone who helps with these industry measurement initiatives so we can all confidently portray the scope, scale, and progress of our statewide wine enterprise. We wish you all a prosperous and safe fall harvest and crush. We hope to see you all very soon on the other side.

Tom Danowski President

Marketing

OWB Marketing

Promote Your Harvest: Share Content with Oregon Wine Board

As part of its Bounty & Vine campaign, OWB is looking to share the passion, hard work, and beauty of this special time of year. Wineries and vineyards are invited to send us harvest photos and videos. We will promote them on OWB channels with full accreditation and tagging offering the opportunity to garner publicity and build excitement for your business. Upload your content using the Dropbox link or email directly to [email protected]

2023-2024 Oregon Wine Touring Guide Digital Edition: Update Your Winery Listing by Oct. 16

While you can update your tasting room information on the OWB consumer website at any time, Oct. 16 is the deadline for your changes to be captured in the 2023-24 Oregon Wine Touring Guide digital update. Please visit the Tasting Room Listings login page now to ensure that the information on record is accurate. If you do not yet have a listing on the OWB consumer website, this is a perfect time to create one. For more information, visit our Tasting Room Listing Toolkit.

Wine Industry Insights

IWSR Report: The Paradox of the U.S. Wine Industry

IWSR analyzes demographic and lifestyle trends driving the U.S. wine industry, investigating why wine consumption dipped in 2022 despite the wine-drinking population growing. Learn more.

Education

Read Best Practices to Prevent the Spread of Mealybug

Growers and wine producers can play an important role in stopping the spread of mealybugs within and between grape-growing regions. Moving grapes from infested vineyards poses some risk. Grapes can be shipped from sites where mealybugs, including vine mealybugs, and other scale insects that may vector the leafroll virus. Download the recommendations.

Press and Media

Press Highlights

Forbes Highlights Oregon’s Hispanic Winemakers

Liz Thach, MW reports on the Oregon wine Industry’s Hispanic community, sharing their passion for growing grapes and making wine to reflect the beauty of the land, as well as providing a legacy business for their families. Part of that legacy is the joy of wine paired with food and bringing friends and family together. Read more.

InsideHook Deems the Willamette Valley Most Captivating Wine Region

Geoff Nudelman writes: “Although the Willamette Valley’s profile has grown considerably in the last decade, there is still a homey, rustic feel captured here that seems to have largely passed by more visited areas (…)” Read more.

Media Opportunities & Calls for Wine

View All Calls for Wine

Vinous Seeks Wines for Annual Oregon Report | Deadline Oct. 3

Vinous Pacific Northwest critic Eric Guido will be traveling to Oregon in mid-October. OWB will coordinate a comprehensive tasting with wines from all over the state. Learn more.

Research

Viticulture & Enology

September 2023 Weather and Climate Forecast

Dr. Greg Jones recently published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at August conditions and forecasts conditions for September, October, and November.

Grape Powdery Mildew Risk Model App

This online app (https://uspest.org/risk/grape_powdery_app) funded in part by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Crop Protection, and Pest Management, Extension Implementation Program (USDA-NIFA-CPPM-EIP) offers a newer, streamlined interface for the existing model, which is also available through MyPest page. It determines the 7-14 day risk forecast for powdery mildew based on vineyard location.

Industry Research

Participate in the 2022 Oregon Wine Industry Economic Impact Study

Every three years, the OWB commissions an Oregon Wine Economic Impact Study to examine the impact of our industry on Oregon’s economy. This study, managed by Economic Forensics and Analytics, Inc. in partnership with Full Glass Research, includes data from a survey that asks questions about 2022 revenues, employment levels, and costs. A pdf version of the questionnaire can be found here. The information provided is kept confidential and secure and the findings are essential to support the development of our industry in many ways including:

Making the case for state and federal grants to advance individual, regional, or statewide marketing and research initiatives
Communicating with local and federal lawmakers about the needs of the industry
Portraying our industry accurately to journalists
Building understanding between wine businesses and county administrators

This survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for supporting your industry in this way. Take the survey.

Opportunities

Call for Nominations to the Oregon Wine Board of Directors | Sept. 29

Every fall, the Governor appoints new Oregon Wine Board Directors for three-year terms beginning Jan. 1 of the following year. To ensure the representation of a diversity of regions and businesses, candidates are sought in the following categories: independent grower, large grower, and eastern Oregon. Anyone with a strong business or marketing background would be a plus. However, any interested individual is encouraged to consider Board service. If you or an industry colleague is interested in being considered, please read the Oregon Wine Board Service Overview and, submit your application by Friday.

Uncork the Potential of our Industry’s Marketplace

Do you have a job to offer? Are you looking for grapes? The Oregon Wine Board Marketplace is a useful tool for getting the word out. Don’t miss out on this free resource. Let’s connect the industry by trading and thriving together!

Make a Nomination for the 2024 Oregon Wine Industry Awards | Deadline: Nov. 17

Nominations for the 2024 Oregon Wine Industry Awards are being accepted until Nov. 17. The awards recognize contributions to the industry in the categories of Lifetime Achievement, Founder, Outstanding Industry Leadership, Vineyard Excellence, and Industry Partner.

Other News

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Benefit Dinner Series | Sep. 15 – Oct. 17

From across Latin America – Argentina, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela, Hispanic winery owners and winemakers unite to celebrate their common roots, the unique journeys that brought them to Oregon, the vineyards they farm, the premier wines they produce, and their desire to give back to the Spanish-speaking community in Oregon. Participating wineries will be offering special wine selections throughout Hispanic Heritage Month and 10% of ticket and bottle sales will be donated to ¡Salud! For more information, visit celebratinghispanicroots.com.

Register for the National Biodynamic Conference | Nov. 8-12

The largest biodynamic gathering in the US brings together farmers, gardeners, educators, students, activists, entrepreneurs, and others interested in biodynamics from across the United States — and beyond. Anyone from beginners to long-time Biodynamic practitioners can learn in a variety of ways, including on-farm field days, intensive pre-conference workshops, inspiring keynote presentations, and breakout workshops. Special events provide many opportunities for connection, conversation, and celebration. Register here.

Register for Sustainable Ag Expo | Nov. 14-15

With 14 seminars and over 10 hours of online courses, the Sustainable Ag Expo brings together researchers and growers to provide continuing education hours all while offering networking opportunities. Brought to you by Vineyard Team, this multi-day seminar and tradeshow provides an opportunity for farmers, ag professionals, and pest control advisors to learn about the latest in farming research, resource issues, and business trends related to sustainable agriculture. Find out more and register here.

Upcoming Events

Industry event calendar | Consumer event calendar | Post an event

OWB Board Meeting

Dec. 1 Stoller Family Estates For more information email Stacey Kohler