Governor's Recognition

Henry Estate Winery was awarded the Governor's Tourism Award. What an honor.
The plaque reads:
Governor's Tourism Award
Presented to Oregon's Wine Industry
In recognition of your spirit, determination, and sweat equity, which created one of Oregon's finest tasting destination drivers.
The quality, diversity,and elegance of Oregon wine is matched only by the intimacy and richness of the experience you provide our visitors everyday.
Oregon Governor's Conference On Tourism
March 18, 2012
John Kitzhaber

Scott Henry Inducted into the Oregon State University Hall of Fame

Aeronautical Engineer turned Winery Owner Scott Henry was Inducted into Oregon State University Engineering School's Hall of Fame.  This is a grand honor as less than 1% of the graduates are even inducted in.

Scott Henry who was born and raised in the town of Umpqua, Oregon, just outside of Roseburg, Oregon, graduated from Roseburg High and then went on to attend Oregon State University.

Scott graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, and received his Master's degree in 1959.  Upon completion of his college education he moved to Sacramento, California to pursue a career as a Aeronautical Engineer working 13 years for Aerojet General. While in California he developed a friendship with Geno Zepponi, one of the original founders of ZD winery and Scott's appreciation of wine truly began.

In 1972 Scott and Geno returned to the family homestead and turned it from a prune orchard to what it is today the home of Henry Estate Winery. Always thinking and utilizing his engineering background Scott began experimenting with different styles of trellising the grapes.  By the early 1980's the Scott Henry Trellis system was born and is now being used world wide.

Congratulations Hall of Fame Member Scott Henry!!!

The 10 Best Wine Regions You've Never Heard Of

 

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According to Fox News the Southern Oregon Wine Region is in the top 10 places one should visit.

6. The Southern Region, Ore. 

Where: The Southern Region is a rugged mountain valley that stretches 125 miles from south of Eugene to the California border. It's edged by the Cascade Mountain Range to the east and the Coast Range to the west. 

Why go: Known for its thunderous waterfalls, covered bridges, diverse wildlife, and awesome overlooks, the Southern region also produces nearly 12 percent of Oregon's wines. Leafy vineyards pepper the green valley, along with majestic mountains, breathtaking volcanic formations, and the 7,000–year–old Crater Lake—the deepest in all of North America.

Regional specialties: Notably warmer than up north in the better known Willamette Valley, the southern region grows rich dark fruit with higher sugar levels and intense flavors. Big, bold beefy reds, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc do well here. However, there are cooler areas of this region in the higher sections, which produce floral Viogner, crisp Riesling, savory Gewurtzraminer and spicy Syrah.

Impact of Oregon Wine Industry on Stat's Economy Nearly Doubles since 2005

The Oregon Wine Center
1200 SW Naito Parkway
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 228-8336
www.oregonwine.org



PORTLAND - 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.  The study shows that the economic impact of Oregon's wine industry nearly doubled to $2.7 billion since the last study in 2005.

The study, conducted by Full Glass Research, a Berkeley, California based market and industry research firm specializing in wine and food, was commissioned by the Oregon Wine Board, a semi-independent state agency managing industry marketing, research and education.

Since the last study was conducted in 2005, wine's contribution to the state's economy has grown by 93%  during a time when the Oregon wine industry weathered the worst consumer recession in its history.


"This study reflects the amazing performance by what is rapidly becoming the state's leading agricultural industry," said Sam Tannahill, chairman of the Oregon Wine Board. "Oregon wine is really on a roll and we are poised to continue the kind of growth we have enjoyed recently as demand for our wines expands both nationally and internationally."

Outlook for continued growth remains possitive

The outlook for continued growth of the Oregon wine industry appears to be quite positive as familiarity with Oregon's high quality, artisan style of wines has increased among savvy wine consumers.  Among core wine consumers, preference for Oregon wines climbed from 19% to 23% over the past five years.


Among those who had purchased Oregon wines in the past three months, agreement that the wines were unique increased from 48% to 65%.  Those who considered Oregon wines of superior quality compared to other wines increased from 42% to 59% between 2005 and 2009.


"We have made some amazing strides during the last five years," said Tannahill.  "Oregon could not be in a better position to capitalize on the growing interest in the kinds of artisan quality  wines that are being produced by our wineries.  This report demonstrates why it's a very exciting time for Oregon wine."


The report contained a bevy of good news for Oregon's 419 wineries and 849 vineyard owners who produce wine from grapes grown in the four primary regions of the state - the Willamette Valley, Southern Oregon, the Columbia Gorge and Walla Walla.


In 2010, wine-related jobs in Oregon totaled 13,518 and related wages were $382 million.  Oregon's wineries produced 1.7 million cases of wine worth $252 million in 2010 with about half of that being sold to consumers outside of the state.

Oregon wine seen as "significant destination driver"

The Oregon wine industry makes a unique and valuable contribution to the state's tourism industry as wine tourists tend to spend at a higher rate on hotels, restaurants and shopping while visiting Oregon.  Indeed, Oregon tourism officals have determed that the wine industry is a key attraction and reason for why tourists visit the state.


"Wine is significant destination driver," said Todd Davidson, CEO of the Oregon Tourism Commission. "And, according to our research, a visitor's experience carries an afterglow when they leave the state.  We found that 43% of Oregon's visitors said they are more or much more likely to purchase Oregon products than before their trip to Oregon."


Compared to the nation's other top wine producing states, Oregon enjoys an enviable position, achieving the highest average price per ton of grapes and the highest average revenues per case of finished product.  Oregon wineries not only weathered the recession well, but have bounced back with strong sales and increased distribution in 2010, according to the study's findings.


During the last five years, Oregon's wineries have made significant strides in increasing their markets outside the state through wine tourism, direct-to-consumer shipments and expanded relationships with distributors throughout the U.S. and overseas.  Shipments of Oregon wines into out-of-state distribution increased 94% and direct-to-consumer sales - including tourists and out-of-state residents - increased 133% since 2005.

When compared to its two larger wine-producing neighbors, Oregon has shown dramatically faster growth over the past five years.  While California's grape production grew at a 17% pace ans Washington's by 21%, Oregon's production was up 38%, tralling only New York's growth.


Compared to other agricultural products, wine typically adds more value and keeps more of its profit margin inside the state's economy than other agricultural products.  Oregon wine producers capture more of the overall revenue stream because they crush grapes and produce wine, but also do the packaging, marketing and selling to wholesalers or foreign importers.

Southern Oregon Wine Institute - A Catalyst To Economic Developmant

Click Image To Go To The SOWI Website

Volume 5

The construction of the teaching winery at Umpqua Community College is progressing smoothly, despite the fact that this spring has been one of the wettest on record. According to UCC Foundation Chair, Lee Patterson, the work is on schedule and under budget. October 29th is the scheduled date for completion of the 23,000 square foot facility. This building will house the classrooms where we will teach Viticulture (grapegrowing) and Enology (winemaking). In addition to the classroom spaces, there will be a commercial scale teaching winery. In this winery, students of Umpqua Community College will be able to work with equipment and facilities that replicate the commercial wineries found throughout Southern Oregon. It is our intention to make commercial lots of wine with our students so that when they graduate, they will be able to rapidly fill the need for a trained workforce in the regional wine industry.

Learning How To Graft

I am grateful for the students who have already completed their degrees in Viticulture and Enology at UCC. Many of them have already found positions in the wine industry. One of the first students to complete the degree, Sandra Glaser, has even opened her own winery – Glaser Estate Winery. Student are able to participate in the program, currently without a building to hold classes in, because the courses are delivered in an online/hybrid method. Lecture material is presented to students online, in weekly increments and the lab periods are conducted face-to-face on weekends. The labs begin on campus with a discussion of the lecture material but then we leave campus to head out to a local vineyard or winery. Henry Estate Winery is one of the favorite lab sites for students. Scott Sr. always engages the students in an active discussion of the best ways to farm grapes in the Umpqua and Scotty give the students a through explanation of the process of making wine.

The Southern Oregon Wine Institute is growing rapidly and that growth is a result of the support of our local wine industry. I want to especially recognize the contributions of Henry Estate Winery in helping to develop SOWI and champion it's purpose when the Institute was in its formative years. The winery and the family have always believed in the vision for the Institute and continue to be a great supporters of the Southern Oregon Wine Institute. It is a dream come true.

Chris Lake
Director
Southern Oregon Wine Institute

Promoting Henry Goes Wine

Henry Goes Wine is just around the corner. Fred Myers in Roseburg is helping us to promote the event. Display was set up by our Distributors from Odom-Southern. Thank you Debbi & Roy.

New Oregon license plate celebrates wine country

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Credit: Jenie Skoy, Travel Salem

by Jeff Thompson, KGW.com Staff

Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:47 PM

SALEM -- Governor John Kitzhaber signed a bill Friday that creates an Oregon wine country license plate.
The specialty plate will become available in January and will cost $30 more than standard license plates. Two-year renewals will also cost an extra $30. Proceeds will support Oregon wine, culinary and travel companies.
The new plates will "drive new tourism revenues to support economic growth across the state," said Jenie Skoy with Travel Salem.
The bill was co-sponsored by Oregon Senator Jackie Winters and Oregon Representative Kevin Cameron.