The newly released Oregon Winery Report by the Oregon Agricultural Statistics Services shows a total sales of increase of 27 percent compared to 1999, an increase in sales of 11 percent when compared to 1998. Pinot Gris production now leads Chardonnay production in Oregon. Pinot Gris is successful.
People associate it with Oregon.
The Oregon Winery Report said total case sales were up in 2000 at 991,770 cases compared to 777,889 cases in 1999 and sales of 894,386 cases in 1998. Cooperage capacity increased nine percent in 1999 to 5,233,000 gallons. Data from 1998 may provide the more meaningful year for comparison and in the context of 1998, the 2000 report indicates that there may be some weakness in the Oregon market. For example, Oregon sales to Washington went from 56,000 to 58,000 cases in 2000, but 1998 sales were 61,570 cases. Sales of Oregon wines outside Oregon totaled 297,000 cases in 1999 and showed an increase up to 380,000 cases for the year 2000.