Tagged: Wine Industry

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber is on a trade mission in Germany this week. One item on his agenda is to promote Oregon wines at a major tourism trade show. Meanwhile, back in Salem, lawmakers are trying to make it easier for Oregonians to buy more of that wine.

The Oregon House Wednesday approved a measure that would let wine aficionados fill up their own container at a store or restaurant. The bottles are sometimes called "growlers."

Democratic representative Paul Holvey told lawmakers the law would put wine on an equal footing with beer.

A company that ships Northwest produce to East Coast markets by rail plans an expansion that will benefit the region's wineries. Railex has reached an agreement with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates to build a massive wine storage warehouse in southeast Washington.