First off, please don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to offer your opinions on the effectiveness of our work at the Oregon Wine Board in support of your businesses. Our industry satisfaction survey is open now and requires only about four to five minutes of your time. The survey results are studied carefully and help the Board of Directors and OWB management allocate resources to address the challenges and opportunities ahead for Oregon’s grape growers and winemakers.
And as we get deeper into what is turning out be a sensational Oregon summer, OWB is busy planning our next media tour with wine journalists coming at month’s end to meet winemakers and tour vineyards in 11 AVAs across the state. We are also at work already, with industry volunteers on the OWB’s Education Committee, designing the curriculum for the 2018 Oregon Wine Symposium to be held again in Portland. Please hold Feb. 20-21 on your calendars and stay tuned for more details on the Symposium in the fall.
Our colleagues at Travel Oregon have announced the opening of the application period for their Competitive Small Grants (grant applications up to $20,000) and for the Oregon Wine Country Plates matching grants (wine and culinary projects with grant amounts up to $50,000). You can find information about these grant programs on Travel Oregon’s website. Contact Michelle Woodard at Travel Oregon for questions about the process. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Aug. 9.
Finally, in historic votes by House and Senate lawmakers in Salem prior to the adjournment of the 2017 legislative session, the Oregon Winegrowers Association locked in the wine industry’s first allocation from the state’s General Fund. Despite the budget challenges our state is confronting, lawmakers recognized the vitality of Oregon’s wine economy and were determined to invest in its continued growth as a jobs generator and tourism engine. Governor Brown is expected to sign House Bill 5006 later this summer, which sets aside some new money for the Oregon Wine Board. The funds are marked for additional scientific research and marketing activities to help get more of Oregon’s exceptional wines in front of fine wine consumers. Your Board of Directors will be looking to our industry’s Research and Marketing committees for recommendations on how to invest these incremental dollars for maximum impact over the next two years. You’ll be hearing more details as the industry members comprising these committees evaluate the best options and develop recommendations.
Cheers,
Tom Danowski
President
INDUSTRY SURVEY
Take the Annual OWB Industry Satisfaction Survey by Jul. 21
The OWB team and board rely on your candid feedback as we develop programming to strengthen the Oregon Wine brand and advance the interests of growers and winemakers around the state. Please help by participating in an anonymous 5-minute survey on OWB’s performance and priorities. To thank you for completing the survey, we will be raffling off five tickets to the 2018 Oregon Wine Symposium. Start the survey.
MARKETING
OWB’s Eclipse Calendar is Live – Post Your Events
As you have undoubtedly heard, a total solar eclipse will roll across Oregon the morning of Aug. 21, plunging parts of the Willamette Valley into darkness and attracting millions of visitors to the area. Do you have an event celebrating this momentous occasion? The OWB’s eclipse page is now live and we will be sharing winery and vineyard eclipse events through our social and newsletter channels over the coming weeks. Learn about posting your eclipse events to the calendar.
Announcing the 2017 Oregon Wine Month Reps of the Year
On Aug. 10-11, WUSATA is sponsoring an inbound trade mission from Taiwan. This provides wineries and other food and beverage producers an opportunity to meet one-on-one with buyers from Taiwan to showcase their products and learn more about consumer preferences and opportunities in that market. The deadline to register is Jul. 21. Learn more and get registration link.
EDUCATION
Biodynamic Workshop: BD Practices from the Vineyard to the Winery
Join biodynamic agronomist and enologist Adriano Zago for a day-long workshop about biodynamic practices in the vineyard and corresponding cellar work. The workshop will be held on Aug. 4 at Montinore Estate in Forest Grove. Get more details and registration link.
RESEARCH
Updated Summer 2017 Weather and Climate Summary and Forecast
On Jul. 6, Dr. Greg Jones published an updated Summer 2017 weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at June conditions, provides an updated drought watch, and forecasts July, August and September 2017. Read the report.
Research Update: Determining the Role of Auxin-Response Factor 4 in the Timing of Ripening Initiation in Vitis vinifera
Dr. Laurent Deluc, associate professor of grape genomics at OSU and OWRI, has prepared an update on research he is leading into the role of auxin-response factor 4 in the timing of ripening of Vitis vinifera. This project receives funding from the Oregon Wine Board as part of its viticulture and enology research grant program, as well as from the Erath Family Foundation and the Fermentation Initiative. Read Dr. Deluc’s research update.
CALLS FOR WINE
Decanter Asia Wine Awards
The Decanter Asia Wine Awards can help bring your wines to the attention of Asia’s rapidly growing number of wine lovers. Influential and respected wine judges are selected by Decanter and the results are broadcast through Decanter’s many media channels and key partnerships. Entries are due by Jul. 21, and judging takes place in September. Read more and get entry details.
OTHER NEWS
Preliminary 2016 Grape Pricing Data Now Available
Thank you to all who completed the 2016 census form. The preliminary prices per ton for grapes at the regional and state levels from the 2016 Oregon Vineyard and Winery Census are now available, and the full census report will be published in August. See the preliminary pricing report.
Travel Oregon Matching Grants Application Period Closes Aug. 9
The Travel Oregon Matching Grants Program makes awards available to eligible applicants for projects that contribute to the development and improvement of local communities throughout the state. The application period for the next cycle of Competitive Small Grants and Oregon Wine Country Plates Grants closes Aug. 9. Guidelines and application questions are now available to download. Get more details.
List or Search Grapes for Sale on the 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. In 2016, the Marketplace replaced the Grape Matching Service and, based on industry feedback, the Marketplace also includes listings for bulk wine, equipment and job opportunities. Post items for sale or visit the Marketplace to search items for sale.
Oregon Winegrowers Association Announces the Reference Toolbox
Released on Jun. 28 by the Oregon Winegrowers Association, the Reference Toolbox is a dynamic online business support center that OWA members can access on-demand to learn more about the regulatory, policy and legislative environment critical to their businesses. Learn more about how to access the Reference Toolbox.
Oregon Wine Experience Barrel Auction
The Oregon Wine Experience is seeking wineries to participate in the Founders’ Barrel Auction on Friday, Aug. 25. The auction presents an opportunity for wineries to gain exposure to clients who purchase multiple cases, including restaurants, distributors and collectors, and 100% of all proceeds will benefit kids’ health through Asante’s affiliation as a Designated Children’s Miracle Network hospital. Learn more about the auction and how to participate.
Come Share Your Winery’s Story with the OWB Team
We’d like to get to know you. Wineries are invited to OWB’s office to share their wines and brand story with us at 3:30 p.m. on Fridays. This is a great opportunity for you to get to know our organization better, ask questions of us and share your suggestions. Learn more and sign up for a visit.
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