Oregon Wine Research Institute — In recent weeks, many have read business and industry-oriented news articles about the “important lessons learned” for business managers as we look back at the past 14 months and how the COVID-19 pandemic upended so much of our lives. One of the recurring topics in these articles has revolved around the idea of “risk management.” Of course, …

In 2019, Russia was the world’s ninth largest importer of wine in both volume and value. However, the Russian Ministry of Agriculture is focused on making wine production one of the key branches of agriculture in the country. While domestic wine production is growing, so have wine imports. In 2020, an increase in excise taxes, a decrease in real incomes, …

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is establishing new programs and efforts to bring financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and producers who felt the impact of COVID-19 market disruptions. The new initiative—USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers—will reach a broader set of producers than in previous COVID-19 aid programs. USDA is dedicating at least $6 billion toward the new …

As efforts to vaccinate essential agricultural and production workers struggle to proceed throughout California and the nation, Sonoma County’s farmers, vintners and health communities have been successfully partnering to get thousands of COVID-19 vaccination doses to these essential workers throughout the region. Now entering its 5th week of operation, the program has already vaccinated and scheduled vaccination appointments for more …

A recent study published in the scientific journal Clinical Infectious Diseases found that a lack of adequate vitamin K levels was associated with poor outcomes in COVID-19 patients. The researchers identified an increased need for vitamin K during a COVID-19 illness and noted that depletion or deficiency of vitamin K can have devastating consequences in the lungs. Vitamin K, a nutrient …

In the face of this year’s challenges, Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) and the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation (FWF) have maintained a steady focus and commitment to supporting the community through challenging times. In 2020, the organizations provided vital information and resources to grape growers, vineyard managers, vineyard workers, and their families. Together, NVG and FWF: Formed a COVID-19 Taskforce to …

Australia’s table grape production is expected to continue to expand in marketing year (MY) 2020/21 and is forecast to reach a record 240,000 metric tons (MT), up 15,000 MT from the revised MY 2019/20 estimate. This higher production is due to increased vine plantings coming into fruiting, and nearly all of this increased production is expected to go for export. …

Wine drinkers across key consumption markets have been turning more often to wine as a beverage during the Covid-19 pandemic, spurred by new ‘lockdown’ occasions and more drinking outside of mealtimes, according to a new report published on October 5th 2020. Wine Consumer Trends in the Covid-19 Era draws on tracking data collected from nationally representative samples of wine drinkers …

This week (week of October 9), we processed final samples for the 2020 Veraison to Harvest season. We are stopping a week earlier than normal for a couple of reasons. First, we received word last week of a 20% reduction in the funds we had budgeted for support – an outcome of state budget challenges related to COVID-19 and its …

With genuine concerns for the loss of life and property during this time of still-burning wildfires, I am also challenged by questions about the economic consequences of these fires for Oregon’s wine industry. With most grapes still in the vineyard, the potential for significant loss of this year’s harvest weighs heavily on vineyard managers throughout the state. The short-run answer, …