Wine institute sets conference next week

GRANTS PASS — Southern Oregon Wine Institute at Umpqua Community College will present a daylong Wine Cluster Conference Wednesday at The Lodge at Riverside Inn in Grants Pass.

Grape growers, winery owners, winemakers, suppliers, vendors, distributors and retailers will meet with economic development and workforce advisers, educators, lenders, hospitality and culinary specialists, as well as legal, accounting and marketing representatives.

Speaking will be Ted Farthing of the Oregon Wine Board, Ron Fox of Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc., regional economist Brian Rooney, Anne Root of EdenVale Winery and Oregon Economic and Community Development Commission member, and Mark Chandler of the Winegrape Commission.

Afternoon sessions will be devoted to developing action plans for winery and vineyard operations; education and workforce development; marketing and distribution; and wine destination tourism and business services.