Board of Directors Meeting

March 14th, 2019 | 9:00 AM

Idaho Wine Commission Office | 821 West State Street | Boise, Idaho 83702

Present

Board: Mike Williamson, Williamson Vineyards; Jake Cragin, Skyline Vineyard; Crystal Potter, Potter Wines; Earl Sullivan, Telaya Wine Co.; Greg Koenig, Koenig Vineyards

Commission: Moya Dolsby, Brenna Christison and Ashlee Struble

Commission Via Google Hangouts: Sara Dirks

Other: Roger Batt, Legislative Educator; Sheila Francis, Idaho Brewers United

Call To Order

Dolsby called the meeting to order at 9:06 AM.

Dolsby welcomed everyone to the March Board Meeting and showed videos that were recently made about the industry for future promotional material.

Approval of Minutes

Dolsby presented the January 2019 Board Meeting Minutes. With no need for discussion, Potter moved to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded. Motion carries.

Sheila Francis entered the meeting

Legislative Report 

Legislative Educator, Roger Batt, gave a brief overview of house bill updates. Those included were:

• HB 63 that amends the dessert wine definition passed. Senator Michelle Stennett carried the Bill for the industry.
• HB 87 is currently on the Governor’s desk for signature. This Legislation exempts harvesting equipment from the payment of personal property taxes. This language would also apply to the exemption on grape crushing equipment and would benefit the grape and wine industry.
• Wine Warehouse Legislation will be presented early in the 2020 Session – Batt will present the Legislation to the Board in the May 2019 Meeting for review

Beer Commission

Legislation was brought to the table late in the session for a beer commission to be formed. It was suggested that everyone who the legislation would impact needs to work together prior to the next Legislative Session to come up with a plan. Batt is going to take the lead to chair the meetings moving forward and include everyone.

Wine Excise Tax Plan

IWC needs to be proactive in this to make sure the IWC budget stays intact. Sullivan stressed the IWC needs to make sure it explains to the industry what could happen with excise tax loss and the possibility of excise tax raising. It was suggested the IWC write a letter to the industry explaining possible impact of a loss in funds and what would be needed to keep the budget whole. In addition, explaining how raising the wine excise tax could benefit the industry.

TTB Rule Making on Wine Labels

It’s being proposed by larger wineries in the country to weaken the AVA content standards by allowing references to AVAs on labels below the federal 85% minimum. WineAmerica has sent out information on getting in touch with your representatives and Batt will also reach out to our delegations to let them know. It was suggested by the board if wineries and growers have strong opinions they should reach out to their representatives. 

Treasure Valley Educational Ag Tour

This event is held every other year. This year they are going to feature the wine and grape industry. Batt asked for a sponsorship from the IWC for this year’s tour. IWC plans to sponsor the bus and will be able to show our new videos on the bus.

Roger Batt presented his 2019/2020 contract. With no need for discussion, Potter moved to approve Roger Batt’s contract as presented. Seconded. Motion carries.

Financial Report

Christison presented the January - February 2019 Financials. With no need for discussion, Potter moved to approve the January - February Financials as presented. Seconded. Motion carries.

Christison presented the draft 2019-2020 budget to the Board. Christison highlighted updates to the budget so the Board was aware of changes. Board plans to approve this budget during the May 2019 meeting.

Executive Director Report

Membership/HR

• Private Label
• Annual meeting planning for 2018
• Wine Quality
• Action Planning writing

Marketing

• Joined the Id Botanical Garden Board
• Industry Bootcamp Prep
• Website
• Tour brochure planning
• Thanksgiving weekend ads
• Media Tours North and South Planning
• Fielding Media Inquiries

Meetings

• 1/17 Vistage
• 1/18 DBA Committee Meeting
• 1/23 SWITA Board Meeting
• 1/23 Idaho Preferred Annual Meeting
• 1/24 Food Producers
• 1/25 New Cidery
• 1/25 Andy – short tables
• 1/25 Jeremy Pisca
• 1/25 Garden Board Meeting
• 1/29 Vistage Gals
• 1/30 Food Producers
• 2/1 Senate Agriculture Affairs Committee
• 2/1 Rizen
• 2/1 Grant Meeting
• 2/1 Flower & Garden Meeting
• 2/2 Kyle Insurance
• 2/7 Food Producers
• 2/8 DBA Committee
• 2/8 Falhgren
• 2/8 House Agriculture Affairs
• 2/12 Tony
• 2/12 Eric Degerman
• 2/13-15 Annual Meeting
• 2/13 Media Dinner
• 2/16 Vistage
• 2/20 Private Labeling Hearing
• 2/21 Vistage
• 3/5 Falhgren
• 3/6 Vistage
• 3/7 Garden Marketing
• 3/8 Garden Events
• 3/8 Karianne DairyWest
• 3/8 Women of the Year
• 3/9 Folsom Chamber
• 3/13 Journalist
• 3/14 Danielle U of I
• 3/14 Hawley Troxell
• 3/15 Vistage
• 3/16 Vistage
• 3/19 Staff meetings individual
• 3/20 DBA board meeting
• 3/21 Vistage

Education Report

Grants

2016/2018 Grant: $5,081.34 Remaining (Extended Through July 2019)

• $3,631.33 – UC Davis Seminars
• $1,450.10 – Vineyard Project

2017/2019 Grant: $27,482.47 Remaining

• UC Davis Seminars - $8,950
• Annual Meeting Travel - $1,592.55
• Vineyard Consultant Travel - $933.92
• Winery Consultant (Annual Meeting) - $4,006
• Grower Incentive - $12,000

2018/2020 Grant: $47,750

• Economic Impact Study - $35,000
• Consumer Wines 101 - $12,750

Vineyard Consultant

• Paying per visit now
• The Board discussed bringing in someone who also has a more holistic vision and approach
• IWC is open to suggestions on who to bring to the industry as a resource to the industry

Annual Meeting 2019 – February 26th – 27th, 2019

• Recap included in Board Packet
• Draft agenda presented to board for discussion

Board had a discussion about the 2019 Annual Meeting and suggestions include:

• Board recommended looking into Riverside Hotel for venue for 2020
• Industry would like something tangible to take back and use
• High quality of speakers
• Including a sales team focused speaker
• Include a tour of a winery
• Create some overlap in the panels to be able to attend both options given
• Staff training
• Another tasting offered at the Annual Meeting
• Would like to see the Vintage Tasting be more technical comments and typical varietals to our region
• Maybe have the Vintage Tasting in semi-circles

Roger Batt left the meeting

Wine Field Trip

• Grant Funds
• May 8th – 9th 2019
• $2,000 Grand Funds toward venue/operational costs
• $5,580 Grant Funds available toward lodging stipends for Idaho attendees

UC Davis Funds

• 2016 Grant Funds Expire July 2019 (extension) – Final registrations filled
• 2017 Grant Funds Expire September 2019 – 4 registrations remaining

Sheila Francis left the meeting

Idaho Wine Competition

• Koenig Vineyards – confirmed
• Four judges confirmed

Consumer 101

• Recently renamed to Camp Vino
• Currently in touch with wineries to confirm agenda
• Working with the Boise Co Op
• Partnership with F/M

Boot Camp 2019

• Drafted itinerary set
• Currently talking to wineries to set the agenda
• September 23rd and 24th

Brand Loyalty Report

Grants

2017/19 Grant: $28,084.55 Remaining

• $12,228 PR Contractual – Southern Idaho Media Tour, Media Relations Fee, Video Promotion
• $10,795.50 Marketing Contractual – Website Platform, Education Page, Event Sites
• $5,061.05 – Journalist Travel for Visits and Media Tours

2018/2020. Grant: $111,259 Remaining

• Marketing Automation - $64,035
• San Francisco Media Mission - $21,224
• Advertising - $26,000

Savor Idaho – Sunday, June 9th, 2019

• Tickets on sale March 1, 2019
  • As of 3/5 – 615 tickets sold of 1,000 tickets available
• Registration open – 17 Sponsors, 22 Wineries, 9 Exhibitors and 10 food vendors
• Trade Tasting at 12 PM – Going back to the Distributors to help IWC with a list of attendees

Savor Idaho North

• Saturday, August 10th, 2019
• Tickets on sale June 1, 2019 – 4 Sponsors  
• Registration now open for wineries

Sippin’ in the City

• Thursday, November 14th, 2019
• ADDITIONAL date added – January 30th, 2020

San Francisco Media Mission

• April 9-12, 2019
• Partnership with Idaho Tourism
• Fahlgren Mortine Grant Project

Social Media & Website – October - November 2018

• Facebook – 5,442 Followers
• Twitter – 5,943 Followers
• Instagram – 5,505 Followers
• Website – 3,573 Page Views

Discussion

1. Next Meeting – May 16, 2019 – IWC Office  - 9 AM – Action Plan/Staff Reviews  

Adjourn

Sullivan moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:16 AM. Seconded. Motion carries.

Respectfully Submitted,

Ashlee Struble, Industry Relations,

Idaho Wine Commission

Next Board Meeting: May 16th, 2019 | 9 AM  Idaho Wine Commission Office 

Join in for the Board Meeting! We have moved forward with a virtual meeting via Google Hangouts. You will just need a gmail account and let us know you would like to join so we can add you to the call. This way, you will be able to hear and see our presentation!