Each year much of the Oregon wine industry gathers in Portland for our annual Symposium and Trade show sponsored by the Oregon Wine Board and the Oregon Winegrowers Association. The Symposium combines educational programs on viticulture, enology, and business with a trade show where we can see the latest tools and technology available to the industry. We’ve been through just the first of the two days and already I’ve learned an important technique for reducing oxidation in sparkling wine as it ages, seen a lot of shiny objects I would like to take home, and learned about new vendors for products and services I use. Day two promises to be just as useful. Most importantly, it’s one of the few times each year the industry gathers together, this year to the tune of about 1200 souls. In the many chance encounters as we each walk to lectures or on the trade show floor we reconnect with people we see often and many more we haven’t seen since the last Symposium. In these moments when we share what we’ve been doing, and what we’ve learned in the last session I am reminded of the collaborative nature of this industry as people who others might think of as my competitors help me to solve problems or take advantage of opportunities for our business. So, remember, if you are in your favorite wine shop or restaurant, and you don’t see Winderlea, buy Oregon. Those aren’t our competitors, they’re our friends. More later…