For our next all-industry forum on Tuesday, October 12 at 11 AM, we’ll be joined by a couple of special guests with timely reports from their respective institutions.
OLCC Executive Director Steve Marks is up first. Steve has been working closely with industry members and Commission managers over the past several months to map out the conversion to an online reporting and payment system for privilege and wine grape taxes. We’ll hear more about the next steps on the 12th. Then we’ll welcome Dean Alan Sams from the College of Agriculture at Oregon State University. Dr. Sams will have some news about the ways in which the state legislature’s infusion of funding earlier this year for OSU scientists, student assistants, and lab equipment will better support Oregon’s wine grapegrowers and winemakers.
Read more about the other items on our agenda for that day’s Zoom meeting in two weeks and register to attend here.
While the current harvest demands everyone’s attention, and is already generating good press, we’ve buttoned up last year’s vintage with the official 2020 Vineyard and Winery Report. It’s compiled by Bob Parker and researchers at the University of Oregon with valuable advice from Dr. Greg Jones. The full report offers a lot to sift through, so we distilled these Top Ten facts to memorialize that historic vintage.
Turning to recent media coverage, different corners of our state have scored some well-earned points over the last couple weeks. We got two bites at the Big Apple in separate NY Times stories from Eric Asimov. One is entitled, “The Applegate Valley Offers Oregon Winemakers a Quiet Place to Experiment.” The other focuses on a distinguishing characteristic of the Pacific NW winescape: our cross-border AVAs which are the only ones west of the Rocky Mountains. Social and print media have been paying attention recently to our northern border resulting in coverage confirming that our ongoing effort to gain recognition for the “Oregon side” of those AVAs is paying off. Eric’s second NY Times piece includes this flattering distinction: “the Columbia River Gorge technically crosses into Washington State, but its energetic wines are pure Oregon in character.”
Then Charles Curtis, MW made some history (we think) in Decanter magazine, writing for the first time in that publication about “Oregon’s Walla Walla Valley.” While Oregon doesn’t claim sole possession of any two-state growing region, we are glad to see an emerging receptivity to accurately portraying the contributions made by Oregon growers and winemakers to the status those regions have earned.
Finally, as you may recall, a foundational objective in the OWB’s long-term strategic plan involves investment in Market Expansion. The federal grant dollars we have been awarded are allowing OWB to re-focus this month in a targeted way on that objective in Oregon’s #1 export destination, Canada. Three COVID-compliant stops on the tour allowed vax-verified Oregon winemakers and their business partners to re-connect and look ahead to 2022 hoping we will return next year to “nearly normal” operating conditions. The response from the 400 trade and media guests was strongly positive to the wines and also to the safety protocols in place. In order to maximize cost efficiency we hosted properly distanced educational and seated tasting events with our Washington state colleagues in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Thanks to all the participating wineries who joined us in person or via Zoom or by providing wines for partners to pour.
P.S. it’s that time of year when Rob McMillan invites west coast wine business owners to take Silicon Valley Bank’s “State of the Wine Industry” survey. The survey link is live now and we’ll be sure to publicize the date early next year for SVB’s Zoom presentation of the results.
Tom Danowski
President
Marketing
Celebrating Oregon’s Frontline Workers
Travel Oregon developed messaging and images intended for social media to support frontline workers experiencing challenging situations as a result of COVID. Download and share assets to spread a message of kindness.
Read our recent International Marketing newsletter
OWB’s latest newsletter about international marketing activities was published Aug. 10. It includes a recap of activities in international target markets over the last year and outlines the events planned for this upcoming cycle.
Research
September 2021 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.
Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research Summer Newsletter
The Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research (NSCFR) has published its latest quarterly newsletter, with updates on Pacific Northwest research, news, USDA funding, personnel, and NCSFR events. Read the summer 2021 newsletter and subscribe to receive future editions.
Opportunities
Virtual Annual State of Black Tourism | Sept. 29
The 8th annual National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals Annual State of Black Tourism features leading hospitality executives in the industry, along with elected officials, who will present the newest trends for Black and Brown travelers in the U.S. and around the world. Registration is not necessary, join the live stream on September 29, 12:45 PM EST.
The Future of Oregon Tourism: Stakeholder Workshops
Travel Oregon and international tourism experts, Destination Think!, invite you to participate in one of seven regional, virtual workshops in October. Your input during these workshops will have direct impact on Oregon’s tourism vision for the future. See the complete schedule of workshops and learn more about the strategic planning process.
Apply to the Oregon Wine Board of Directors | Deadline: Oct. 1
The Executive Appointments staff at the governor’s office are accepting applications from industry members interested in joining the Oregon Wine Board of Directors for a three-year term starting Jan. 1, 2022. Learn more about Oregon Wine Board service and submit your application by Oct. 1.
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 meeting: Oct. 12
The monthly Oregon Wine Industry Forum will be on haitus during September, with the next meeting scheduled for Oct. 12. Register for the final three 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 nomination for the 2022 Oregon Wine Industry Awards | 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 Wildfire Smoke Toolkit
OWB’s Wildfire Smoke Toolkit includes resources about Oregon OSHA’s latest temporary rule, helpful documents from SAIF, and more.
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.
Press
Recent coverage by Eric Asimov in the NY Times
Last week Eric Asimov’s NY Times column, The Pour, chronicled the Columbia Gorge AVA and four winemakers whom Asimov said are, “…making gorgeous, intriguing wines and turning the region into a vibrant winemaking hub.” Read the complete story.
A few days later, Oregon was treated to another hit Asimov column, this time featuring the Applegate Valley, including several producers and a bright spotlight on Troon Vineyard. Read the complete story.
Decanter publishes Christophe Baron retrospective
In Decanter’s premium edition, Charles Curtis MW offers a lighthearted retrospective of Christophe Baron’s projects in Eastern Oregon. Curtis writes, “Christophe Baron has been busy. The Champenois transplant to the Pacific Northwest has built a worldwide reputation for his winery Cayuse, in Oregon’s Walla Walla Valley, where he began planting in 1997 and launched his first vintage in 2000.” Read the complete story.
James Suckling publishes largest Oregon wine report to date
For this latest JamesSuckling.com Oregon report, published late August 2021, the tasting panel uncorked 806 bottles from twelve AVAs across the state. An incredible 93% of wines reviewed received 90 points or higher. Read the complete story.
