Cluster Conference

By Wine Press Staff

The Southern Oregon Wine Institute at Umpqua Community College will present the second Wine Cluster Conference on Tues., Dec. 14, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Lodge at Riverside Inn in Grants Pass, 955 S.E. Seventh St.

People from all parts of the Southern Oregon wine industry — growers, winery owners, winemakers, suppliers, vendors, distributors, retailers and others — will come together with economic development experts, educators, lenders, hospitality and culinary specialists, and professionals in real estate, law, accounting, marketing and other fields. The purpose is to share best practices and help fuel the industry’s growth.

Afternoon brainstorming sessions with all participants will be devoted to developing action plans for enhancing winemaking and vineyard operations, plus greatly expanding marketing, sales and destination tourism.

The Wine Cluster Conference II is sponsored by Umpqua Bank, and by ETS Laboratories, Davis Wright Tremaine, Express Employment Professionals and Ogden Roemer Wilkerson Architects.

The conference is limited to 100 participants and pre-registration is required.  The fee, which includes a continental breakfast and lunch, is $48. Registration begins Nov. 1; deadline to sign up is Dec. 7.  To reserve a seat, call 541-440-4629 or register online by following the link to the Wine Cluster Conference II at www.sowicellars.com.