Press Releases

May 15, 2013 - Oregon’s Wine Country license plate turns a year old today and it’s turning into a big hit with Oregonians who have placed more than 6,000 sets of the specialty plates on their vehicles in the first year.

April 25, 2013 — Oregon’s 450-plus wineries are preparing to kick off Oregon Wine Month, a month-long focus on the state’s $3 billion industry next week. Dozens of promotions, tasting and other activities are planned by wineries and wine retailers in the state, culminating in the annual Memorial Day Weekend Open House when most of the state’s wineries are open for public tastings.

Feb. 7, 2013 — Elkton Oregon became the state’s newest American Viticultural Area after receiving approval from the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau this week. The new Elkton Oregon AVA is entirely contained within the Umpqua Valley AVA, which is entirely within the Southern Oregon AVA. Oregon has a total of 17 AVAs.

Feb. 7, 2013 — The Oregon Wine Board announced today that the second annual all-Oregon tasting event will be April 28, 2013, in Portland. The tasting, which is expected to showcase as many as 100 wineries representing all regions of the state, will kick off Oregon Wine Month in May.

Jan. 9, 2013 - Gov. John Kitzhaber has appointed two new directors to the Oregon Wine Board (OWB) and reappointed two current directors to new terms. Both Steve Thomson of King Estate Winery and Juan Pablo “JP” Valot of Silvan Ridge Winery were appointed to three-year terms. Leigh Bartholomew of Archery Summit and Dominio IV winery and Michael Donovan of RoxyAnn Winery were re-appointed to new terms.

Dec. 17, 2012 – In recognition of Oregon’s importance as a wine-touring destination, the third annual Wine Tourism Conference will be held Nov. 14-15, 2013 at the Doubletree Hotel in Portland, Ore. The meeting, organized by Zephyr Tours, attracts wine and travel industry executives from around the U.S. and the world. The Oregon Wine Board and Travel Oregon were instrumental in Zephyr Tours’ decision to select Oregon as the 2013 location.

Dec. 17, 2012 – The largest gathering of Oregon’s wine-producing industry is set for Feb. 19-20, 2013 at the annual Oregon Wine Industry Symposium. This will be the second year the conference has been held in Portland at the Oregon Convention Center and is expected to attract record attendance.

Dec. 12, 2012 – Oregon’s $3 billion wine industry continue to outpace much of the rest of the U.S. wine industry by topping the 2 million case sales level for the first time in its 50-year history, according to the 2011 Oregon Winery Census Report released today by the Oregon Wine Board (OWB).

March 12, 2012 —Top wines produced by Oregon’s wineries will be on display April 29 at the Left Bank Annex in Portland at the Oregon’s largest statewide consumer tasting ever. The Oregon Wine Board (OWB) will host 100 wineries from every region of the state to kick off Oregon Wine Month.

Feb. 21, 2012 – The Oregon Wine Board (OWB) today honored David Adelsheim, co-founder and president of Adelsheim Vineyard, with its 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award. Alex Sokol Blosser and Susan Sokol Blosser, who received the award in 2008, presented the honor at the industry’s annual awards dinner Tuesday evening at the Oregon Wine Industry Symposium in Portland.

Feb. 21, 2012 – Members of the Oregon wine industry heard optimistic business and crop forecasts for 2012 today as the Oregon Wine Industry Symposium (OWIS) kicked off a two-day gathering at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. The conference attracted more than 1,200 attendees – breaking the record of 990 set at the 2010 conference in Eugene.

Jan. 30, 2012 – Portland will play host to the Oregon Wine Industry Symposium for the first time in the industry’s history Feb. 21-22 when the conference debuts at the Oregon Convention Center. The annual gathering of wine industry owners and executives was previously held in Eugene. This year’s event is expected to attract more than 1,000 attendees.

Jan. 18, 2012 – Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber today announced that he has signed a proclamation designating May 2012 as Oregon Wine Month in recognition of the Oregon wine industry’s rapid growth, international reputation for quality and important contribution to the state’s economy.

Dec. 6, 2011 – The Oregon Wine Board (OWB) and Oregon Winegrowers Association (OWA) today announced Tom Danowski has been chosen as the executive director of the state’s largest organization representing Oregon’s $2.7 billion wine industry.

October 27, 2011 - Oregon wine producers may have a lot to be thankful for in another month as they put the finishing touches on the 2011 harvest, which is being referring to as the "miracle harvest." The Oregon wine industry, which saw production decline 22% last year from 2009, is now staring at a potentially record harvest as well as one of the outstanding vintages in recent memory.

October 6, 2011 – Oregon winegrowers are optimistic as harvest nears for the state’s $2.7 billion wine industry. Harvest is expected to begin next week in many parts of the state, but the industry is taking it day-by-day with one eye on the ripening grapes and the other on the weather forecast.

Sept. 15, 2011 – The Oregon Wine Board (OWB) and Oregon’s leading winefocused consumer publication, Oregon Wine Press (OWP), are partnering to enhance and promote OWP’s Superior Cellar Oregon Wine List recognition program.

Sept. 14, 2011 - Warm late summer days lead to optimism for 2011 vintage.

July 26, 2011 – The North American Wine Bloggers Conference announced this week that it will hold its 2012 conference in Portland. Next year’s conference will be the fifth Wine Bloggers Conference and will be coming to Oregon for the first time.

July 14, 2011 - The Oregon wine industry is emerging as one of the state's most strategic agricultural industries based on its rapid growth and key contribution to Oregon tourism, according to a new study released today by the Oregon Wine Board.

June 6, 2011 -After a late start, the Oregon wine industry has high hoped for the 2011 vintage.