Soon, it will be even easier for Oregonians and out-of-state visitors to enjoy a wide-array of wine and culinary experiences across the state, thanks to the Oregon Wine Country Plates Matching Grants Program administered by the Oregon Tourism Commission (dba Travel Oregon).
Through its Oregon Wine Country Plates Matching Grants Program, Travel Oregon helps advance wine and culinary tourism projects that improve local economies and communities by enhancing, expanding and promoting Oregon’s travel and tourism industry.
"Oregon is known for its incredible wine and culinary scene," said Todd Davidson, Travel Oregon CEO. "The awarded projects will enhance and highlight the state's bounty to visitors and locals, while helping to strengthen local economies and improve communities throughout the state."
The awarded grant projects will be completed by September 2016.
The grant awardees and their projects are:
- Aurora Colony Historical Society, for online, radio and display advertising that will promote travel to the historic areas of French Prairie and Aurora for seasonal farm-to-table events.
- Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce dba The Oregon Wine Education Center, for development of the Oregon Wine Education Center Marketing and Curriculum Development project that will provide winery-specific trainings and educational opportunities for the industry.
- Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, for the development of a brochure promoting Cottage Grove as a hub for overnight visitors experiencing the South Willamette Valley and North Umpqua Valley wineries.
- Eastern Oregon Visitors Association, for establishing a strategic marketing plan to give exposure to the agricultural and culinary visitor products of their 11-county region.
- Eola-Amity Hills Winegrowers Association, for implementation of “Gateway Visitor Hubs” at main entry points of the Eola-Amity Hills American Viticultural Area that will include directional signage and AVA information to enhance the visitor experience.
- Heart of Willamette Winery Association, for development of a Heart of Willamette passport promoting visitors to travel through the area and experience the local wineries, breweries, cider houses, distilleries and culinary businesses.
- Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, for the development and promotion of three Gorge Wine Adventure Trails covering 40 miles of the Gorge, which will enhance the visitor experience, encourage exploration and overnight stays.
- Oregon Wine Board, for the development, production and distribution of a statewide wine tourism guide and for a digital marketing campaign to promote Oregon’s wine tourism through interactive itinerary tools and the Oregon Wines Fly Free program.
- Travel Lane County, for the development of Pinot Bingo, a wine-related incentive program promoting visitation to participating local wineries.
- Travel Southern Oregon, for a social media influencer tour that will focus on the wine and culinary experiences of Southern Oregon.
- Travel Yamhill Valley, for the publication of the Travel Yamhill Valley Wine & Culinary Guide, a visitor guide to the area's wine and culinary destinations and lodging properties.
- Yamhill County Wineries Association dba Willamette Valley Wineries Association, for the creation of Willamette Valley Barrel Auction branded materials for an event that targets high-end national and international buyers, bringing them to the Willamette Valley for a Pinot Noir auction, where they will be immersed in the valley’s wine and culinary scene.
Revenue generated by the sale of the Wine Country license plates funded the 2015/2016 grant awards cycle.
Additional funds for Wine Country Plate culinary tourism projects will also be available next year.
Travel Oregon's general Matching Grants program for all travel and tourism related projects will be available in 2016, as well.
Top banner photo credit: Red Lily Winery Tasting Room by Christian Heeb
