Over the past several years, TEXSOM has taken its place among the world’s most highly esteemed educational and career development events for wine professionals.
Two weeks ago, 1,140 influential decision makers including 20 Masters of Wine, 32 Master Somms and 48 international guests gathered for the 15th annual edition of TEXSOM. Once again Oregon was prominently positioned. Our wine community was included in the carefully curated class of event volunteers and Oregon wines were featured in various portions of the program.
The Oregon Wine Board maintained its TEXSOM presence at the Gold sponsorship level this year giving us the chance to once again host a focused Oregon tasting for 205 trade members. OWB Education Manager Bree Stock MW used that forum to highlight an assortment of white wines from various AVAs around our state that had been recognized earlier this year in the TEXSOM International Wine Awards competition.
Read the full report from OWB Trade Relations Manager Christina DeArment for further details and information about how TEXSOM can work for you in August 2020.
And as you look ahead to other opportunities to advance your businesses next year, keep these dates in mind. The OWB has heard your requests for assistance in generating broader awareness and trial for Oregon wines in markets outside our home state. So over the next year, we will focus on some of the most promising cities on the West Coast where Oregon wines are gaining traction and from which we hope to draw even more wine tourists.
Growers should be aware of an event that may interest those eager to learn more about the expanding role technology is playing in vineyards. On Wednesday, Nov. 13, in Sacramento, the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service is holding a Sensor Technology Workshop with 30 of the country’s leading scientists presenting their work with sensors and how they are being deployed to help monitor vine status, water usage, pests and diseases. A panel of growers will also discuss how they are integrating these technologies into their own farming. Read more about the NGRA-ARS Sensor Technology Workshop.
I hope you’ll join us all at the OWB in congratulating Stoller Family Estate. Stoller was the only Oregon winery recognized last month on USA Today’s list of America’s 10 Best Tasting Rooms. In fact, Stoller took the #1 spot in this national reader’s poll for the second straight year.
Finally, a reminder to all tasting room managers that this Thursday, Sept. 5, is the deadline to submit tasting room data changes in advance of the refreshed digital version of the 2020 Oregon Wine Touring Guide. Read more and verify your business’s information here.
Tom Danowski
President
NEWS FROM THE OREGON WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION
The OWA is making this report on bird control best practices available again to its members and to all Oregon growers as an industry service. The annual effort to control crop loss due to migrating birds is often a challenge, but one that can cause irritation to those living near vineyards. Please remember to be considerate when using bird control practices that may create problems for your neighbors.
In other news, the OWA hosted a teleconference last week for growers and winemakers from all over the state to review lessons learned from the 2019 legislative session and discuss their implications for the industry. OWA expects to convene these calls as needed in response to direction from legislators and other regulators that growers and winemakers unify behind the most important priorities in 2020 and beyond.
MARKETING
Verify Your Tasting Room Information | Deadline: Sept. 5
In anticipation of refreshing the digital flipbook version of the Oregon Wine Touring Guide this winter, please take a few minutes to ensure that the information we have on record about your tasting room is accurate. The OWB also provides your data to the Oregon Tourism Information System, which is maintained by Travel Oregon and shared with tourism partners around the state.
TEXSOM Conference Sponsorship Recap
The OWB returned to the TEXSOM Conference for our third year of sponsorship last month. The Oregon footprint at this conference of influential trade members was bigger than ever before: both OWB and WVWA sponsored lunches, and a handful of Oregon brands poured at the final grand tasting.
Wine Spectator Fall Advertising Opportunity
Wine Spectator is offering cooperative advertising opportunities in December’s Top 100 Wines of the Year issue, providing exposure in the magazine at a more affordable price than standalone advertising. Participation is first-come, first-served, and only a few spaces remain available.
RESEARCH
Study of Wine Tourists from Key U.S. Markets
All Oregon wine tourism regions can benefit from a study recently released by the WVWA as part of its research to understand wine tourists from key U.S. markets. This comprehensive report segments wine tourists by several factors, including affluence and wine consumption habits, while also providing profiles of wine tourists from 10 markets. This study was funded in part by a Wine Country Plates grant from Travel Oregon.
2019-20 OWB-Funded Research Projects
In June, the Oregon Wine Board of Directors approved funding for a slate of 9 projects, as recommended by the industry’s Research Committee, that aim to advance quality grape growing and winemaking in Oregon. We will publish an update on each project starting this winter. Past updates are published on the OWB’s industry website.
2020-21 Viticulture & Enology Research RFA
At its August meeting, the Oregon Wine Board of Directors approved the request for applications for viticulture and enology projects to be funded in the 2020-21 fiscal year. Applications will be accepted via the Unified Grant Management system from Dec. 1 – Jan. 31 and will be reviewed by the industry’s Research Committee in spring 2020.
OWB-Funded Research Update: Examining the Impacts of Environmental Variations and Farming Practices on Wine Grape Microbiomes
Dr. Jeremy Weisz, associate professor in the Department of Biology at Linfield College, has prepared an update about research he is conducting to investigate how farming practices and geography may impact wine grape microbiomes.
September 2019 Weather and Climate Forecast
On Sept. 3, Dr. Greg Jones of Linfield College published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at August conditions and forecasts conditions for September, October and November.
OPPORTUNITIES
ODA Announces Funding to Help Offset Organic Certification Costs
The Oregon Department of Agriculture has announced the availability of cost-share rebate funds for certified organic farmers and processors. The rebates are available to cover certification expenses paid between Oct. 1, 2018 and Sept. 30, 2019. The deadline to submit applications is Oct. 31.
Come Share Your Winery’s Story with the OWB
The OWB team always likes getting to know better the community we represent. Wineries are invited to sign up to share their wines and brand story with us in our office at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. This is a great opportunity for you to get to know our organization better, ask questions and share your suggestions.
OTHER NEWS
Find or List Grapes for Sale on OWB’s Marketplace
If you are looking for a buyer for your grapes or are interested in buying grapes, don’t forget to check out the Marketplace on the OWB’s industry website. The Marketplace also includes listings for bulk wine, equipment and job opportunities.
