PORTLAND, February 17, 2021 – The Oregon Winegrowers Association (OWA) presented Senator Ron Wyden with the Oregon Wine Leadership Award at their annual membership meeting. The award is given in recognition of outstanding leadership in promoting the Oregon wine industry through political initiatives.
Alex Sokol Blosser, OWA President and Co-President and Vintner at Sokol Blosser Winery in Dayton, presented the award: “Senator Wyden has consistently demonstrated his commitment to supporting the native Oregon wine industry, which has significant economic activities and jobs in the region the state offers. We are excited to share our appreciation for his tireless support to our growers and wineries, especially given the tough headwinds in 2021 and beyond. “
Senator Wyden’s report on helping Oregon winemaking is long. In December 2021, Congress granted permanent excise tax credits to wineries, first introduced by Senator Wyden in 2015, and recognized the need to support craft producers during a challenging time. Almost two-thirds of Congress has pledged to sponsor its Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act. As chairman and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, he has made efforts to modernize the Bureau of Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Commerce (TTB), reduce red tape and ensure that TTB is responsive to industry needs. Senator Wyden has called for disaster relief to help winemakers in a devastating 2020 forest fire season after helping disaster funding in earlier forest fire years. He has worked to remove barriers to trade so American wines can compete in international markets and has helped fund key Farm Bill programs.
“I am honored to receive this leadership award from Oregon winemakers who have developed a world-renowned product that represents the best of Oregon small business and agriculture,” said Wyden. “Working with our state’s winemakers on trade, taxation, forest fire relief, and so many other topics has always proven to be a good example of the Oregon method of finding solutions that create good jobs. This is particularly true of the past year with all of its public health and economic challenges. Thank you to the Oregon Winegrowers Association for this award. I am very much looking forward to continuing our work in the coming days. ”
After years of robust growth, Oregon’s wine-related economy fell more than 20% to $ 5.7 billion in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and devastating forest fire season. Jobs associated with Oregon’s wine industry presence fell 28% to 28,782, with wages falling 23%. The latest 2019 numbers show that Oregon licensed wineries are now number 908 with 1,297 vineyards across the state.
Via the Oregon Winegrowers Association
The Oregon Winegrowers Association promotes and protects its members’ investments. Leveraging the power of the statewide consensus, OWA is a major advocate for the health, growth, and economic sustainability of Oregon’s viticulture and winemaking community. The OWA is the established and leading advocacy group representing all facets of the Oregon wine industry. Visit www.oregonwinegrowers.org for more information.