Jun. 30 marked the conclusion of our 2016-17 fiscal year, and the OWB team is proud to have delivered a broad range of initiatives to help Oregon wine industry members meet their most pressing business challenges. We’ve put together a brief video recapping our top 10 highlights from the year. Have a look:
Click here to watch the video and get more information on the featured programs.
The end of the year also presents an opportunity to reflect on ways in which the OWB can serve you better in the coming year. We rely on your candid feedback as we strive to use your tax dollars more effectively and efficiently in strengthening the Oregon Wine brand and advancing the interests of growers and winemakers around the state. As part of our annual assessment, we invite your participation in an anonymous 5-minute survey on OWB’s performance and priorities.
As a thank you for completing the survey, we will be raffling off five tickets to the 2018 Oregon Wine Symposium, held in Portland on Feb. 20-21. Once you complete the survey, you will be given a link to access a separate form to enter the drawing. This ensures anonymity in your survey response.
Cheers,
Tom Danowski
President
MARKETING
Post Your Eclipse Events to the Oregon Wine Events Calendar
A total solar eclipse will roll across Oregon on Aug. 21, plunging parts of the Willamette Valley into darkness and attracting millions of visitors to the area. The OWB 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
Partnership with GuildSomm to Produce Podcast and Video
The OWB has recently partnered with GuildSomm to produce an hour-long podcast and a ten minute video featuring winegrowing regions in Oregon. The podcast is available now through the Oregon Wine Resource Studio, and the video will be completed in the fall. Learn more about this partnership and get podcast link.
OWB to Sponsor TEXSOM Conference in August
The OWB marketing plan has a strategic focus on educating and engaging trade influencers to increase the availability of Oregon wine, in particular on-premise buyers. As part of these efforts, the OWB will participate as a sponsor at the TEXSOM Conference for the first time this summer. Learn more about this sponsorship.
Direct-to-Consumer Sales: Recap and Insights from Spring Seminars
According to Silicon Valley Bank’s most recent direct-to-consumer wine sales webinar, DTC sales represent 60% of revenue for the average Oregon winery. OWB marketing team members attended three DTC-focused educational events in May, which presented a broad overview of experiences and topics across the DTC sales channel. Read our recap and key takeaways.
EDUCATION
Oregon Water Law Conference
The 26th year of the prestigious Oregon Water Law Conference will continue coverage of legislative, administrative and judicial water law and policy developments, featuring experts from all levels of government, tribes, nonprofits and private practice. The conference will take place Nov. 2-3 in Portland, and an early bird discount is available to attendees registering by Jul. 12. Read more and register to attend.
International Workshop on Grapevine Downy and Powdery Mildew
The 8th International Workshop on Grapevine Downy and Powdery Mildew will take place Jul. 17-19 on the OSU campus in Corvallis. The meeting will have more than 60 talks as well as three poster sessions examining disease epidemiology and control and the biology and mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions. Read more and register to attend.
BC Wine Grape Council’s Enology and Viticulture Conference
OWA Immigration Forum in Southern Oregon: Register Now
After a great response to the forum in Newberg this April, the Oregon Winegrowers Association is taking its Immigration Forum to Southern Oregon. This OWA members-only forum is being held on Jul. 20 at SOREC in Central Point. Learn more and find out how to register.
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
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 here.
CALLS FOR WINE
Sip Northwest’s Best of the Northwest 2017 Competition
Sip Northwest is now accepting submissions for its sixth annual Best of the Northwest issue, which will come out in October. The wines will be tasted blind by a panel comprised of the Northwest’s top palates, judges and professionals. Entries are due by Jul. 10. Read more details and get submission information.
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.
American Wine Society 2017 Commercial Wine Competition
The American Wine Society (AWS) is the largest consumer-based wine organization in the U.S. It has conducted the prestigious Commerical Wine Competition annually for more than 30 years. This year’s competition will be held Oct. 31 – Nov. 2, and entries are due by Oct. 21. Find out more and get entry details.
OTHER NEWS
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 kid’s health through Asante’s affiliation as a Designated Children’s Miracle Network hospital. Learn more about the auction and how to participate.
Travel Oregon Matching Grants Application Period Jul. 10 – 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 opens Jul. 10. Guidelines and application questions are now available to download to help you start preparing your application. Get more details.
Offer for Free Aerial Vine-Vigor Vineyard Mapping
Hawk Aerial’s proprietary Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) vineyard mapping service has been developed to specifically quantify vigor in grapevines. The company is offering free 10-acre trials of their EVI vine-vigor mapping service to vineyards through Jul. 15, subject to availability. Find out more and get contact information.
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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