Annual Report

Dear colleagues,

With new plantings throughout the state starting to bear fruit, and increased yields in the 2007 vintage, the Oregon Wine Board saw a significant increase in wine assessments for the 2007-2008 fiscal cycle. In addition, we secured for the second year in a row a significant USDA Value-Added Producer Grant to develop the Oregon wine category in key consumption markets throughout the country. Our “Discover Oregon Wines” tastings were held in Washington, DC, New York, Dallas and San Francisco for key trade, media and consumers.

With a healthy marketing budget in place, we were able to allocate additional funds to research and education programs. Research spending in this fiscal year grew an impressive 53 percent (from $130,000 to $199,000), and we stretched those dollars further through partnerships with other producing regions and research institutions to collectively support studies that will benefit the entire wine industry. Finally, our Oregon Wine Industry Symposium again saw record attendance and profit, and our first annual Silent Auction at the Symposium, benefitting the Oregon Winegrowers Association (OWA), raised nearly $8,000.

Immediately following an active year in the Oregon State Legislature, the OWA focused on implementation of legislative successes and building consensus with other industry groups on key issues like immigration reform, joining the Coalition for a Working Oregon and lobbying both on the state and national levels. OWA remained active in-state, examining closely the potential effects of proposed Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) pipelines, and helped educate the industry about key issues with immediate impact on their businesses, including groundwater policy and spray drift concerns.

Each year we evaluate how best to allocate resources to continually raise the prestige and desirability of Oregon wines internationally. The enclosed report shows our approach and successes in 2007-2008.

We continue to be honored to help you tell your story, market your wines and protect your businesses.

Sincere regards,

Ted Farthing