More than 50 Oregon wineries will hit the road again this spring to showcase their award-winning wines. This is the third year the Oregon Wine Board (OWB) has gathered wine stars and local artisanal food partners for the Oregon Wine Trail events. Host cities in 2020 are San Francisco (March 4) and Seattle (May 11). The all-day events include an industry masterclass and walk-around tasting for media and trade, followed by a consumer tasting in the evening.
What: Oregon Wine Trail, San Francisco
When: March 4, 2020
12:30-2:00PM -Trade & Media Masterclass
1:30-4:30PM – Trade & Media Walkaround Tasting
6:00-8:30PM – Consumer Walkaround Tasting
Where: Terra Gallery: 511 Harrison Street San Francisco, CA 94105
Trade & Media registration: https://trade-owtsf.eventbrite.com
Consumers tickets for purchase at: https://www.oregonwine.org/trail
$75 Early bird / $95 general admission
Click here for a list of participating wineries in San Francisco: https://www.oregonwine.org/trail/sf/#wineries
What: Oregon Wine Trail, Seattle
When: May 11, 2020
12:30-2:00PM -Trade & Media Masterclass
1:30-4:30PM – Trade & Media Walkaround Tasting
6:00-8:30PM – Consumer Walkaround Tasting
Where: Block 41: 115 Bell Street, Seattle, WA 98121
Trade & Media registration: https://trade-owtseattle.eventbrite.com
Consumers tickets for purchase at: https://www.oregonwine.org/trail
$75 Early bird / $95 general admission
Click here for a list of participating wineries in Seattle: https://www.oregonwine.org/trail/seattle/#wineries
The 2020 masterclasses will be hosted by Bree Stock, MW, OWB education manager; Chris Tanghe, MS, chief instructor at Guild of Sommeliers; and Evan Goldstein, MS, president & chief education officer of Full Circle Wine Solutions.
The San Francisco masterclass, Mastering Willamette Valley Wines, will take a look at seven AVAs, each defined by unique soils, climate influences and subtly different winemaking philosophies, viewed through the lens of various Willamette Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.
In Seattle, the masterclass, Mastering Southern Oregon Wines, will explore the region’s diverse climates, soils and terroirs, plus emerging varieties in Southern Oregon.
Participating artisanal culinary partners include: Olympia Provisions (https://www.olympiaprovisions.com), the Oregon Cheese Guild (http://oregoncheeseguild.org) and Som Cordials (https://somcordial.com), together with charity partner for San Francisco, 18 Reasons (https://18reasons.org).
“Oregon is one of the most exciting wine regions in the U.S., and buyers and wine lovers alike are well versed in what makes Oregon wines special. The Oregon Wine Trail events introduce the winemakers behind those wines who share their passion with on-premise and retail buyers, as well as with consumers in wine-loving cities like San Francisco and Seattle,” notes Sally Murdoch, Oregon Wine Board communications manager.
With 793 wineries growing 82 grape varieties in over 1,000 vineyards, Oregon offers diversity and premium quality wines. Oregon wine sales were $607 million in 2018, a 4% increase over the prior year, according to the annual Vineyard and Winery Report, gathered by the Institute for Policy Research and Engagement (IPRE) at the University of Oregon. Nielsen data for the year ended July 13, 2019 shows U.S. retail sales of Oregon wine, measured in dollars, rising 13.8%. This is in contrast to the total table wine category’s performance of 0.9% growth for the same period.
The Oregon Wine Board is a semi-independent Oregon state agency managing marketing, research and education initiatives that support and advance the Oregon wine and wine grape industry. The Board works on behalf of all Oregon wineries and independent growers throughout the state’s diverse winegrowing regions. Visit http://www.oregonwine.org.
Terry Bunch
