2026 Oregon Wine Industry Legislative Town Hall

Description

Oregon legislators and members of the Oregon wine industry will meet for a nonpartisan town hall about business issues impacting Oregon wine. The conversation will focus on what the state can do through policy and practice to support growers, wineries and the businesses that depend on them during one of the hardest periods in the industry’s history.

• When: Monday, November 16, 2026, 3:00–4:30 p.m.
• Where: Chehalem Cultural Center LaJoie Theatre , 415 E. Sheridan St., Newberg, OR 97132
• Reception: Immediately afterward at Et Fille Tasting Room, 718 E. 1st St., Newberg, OR 97132
• Conveners: Oregon Winegrowers Association and Remy Drabkin of Remy Wines
• Panel: Rep. Anna Scharf, Rep. Lucetta Elmer, Rep. Hai Pham, Rep. Susan Rieke Smith, Sen. Courtney Neron Misslin, and Senate Candidate Jack Tibbetts
• Format: A moderated conversation on stage. There is no open microphone; audience members submit questions in writing, either in advance or during the forum. 
• Moderator: Michael Alberty is an Oregon wine writer who covers the state’s wineries for The Oregonian and its sister publication Here is Oregon. He reviews Oregon, Washington and Canadian wines for Wine Enthusiast, and his work has appeared in Decanter, Sunset and Oregon Wine Press. He grew up in the Portland suburbs and started his career managing a retail wine shop, where he began writing about wine.

This meeting is open to both OWA members and non-members. We kindly request wine industry attendees bring a bottle of wine to share during the reception.