If you employ full-time staff, seasonal crews, or part-time help in Oregon’s wine industry, there’s a new law that could change how you approach labor planning and workplace disputes—especially during your busiest seasons. Oregon Senate Bill 916 (SB 916) makes Oregon the first state in the country to offer unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to both public and private sector employees who are engaged in a labor strike. Why Provide Unemployment Benefits to a Striking Workforce? Lawmakers behind the bill say it’s about fairness. Their argument is that workers who are lawfully on strike shouldn’t be forced to choose between standing up for better conditions and being able to pay their bills. They point out that most strikes in Oregon don’t last long—about eight or nine weeks on average—and believe a short-term safety net could lead to more productive negotiations. But not everyone agrees. Many employers, especially in agriculture and manufa

Starting January 1, 2026, a new Oregon law will significantly reshape how liability works in private construction projects. Under Senate Bill 426 (SB 426), property owners and general contractors can now be held liable for wage theft committed by subcontractors, even those buried deep in the contracting chain. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed SB 426 into law on June 9, 2025. It’s a landmark move—and one that raises the stakes for compliance. Here’s what Oregon businesses need to know, and how they can start preparing now. What’s the Big Change Under SB 426? If you’re a property owner or GC in Oregon, SB 426 brings a shift in risk you can’t afford to ignore. The law says you are jointly and severally liable for unpaid wages, penalties, and benefits owed by any subcontractor working under your contract—even if you weren’t directly involved and had no knowledge of the issue. In short, it’s no longer enough to say, “That wasn’t

There are two new requirements involving the recycling of wine containers in Oregon: one covering wine in bottles or other types of packaging, and one covering wine in cans. The former will be covered under Oregon's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law starting July 1, 2025, while the latter will be incorporated into the existing beverage container recycling system on the same date. Legislation to include wine bottles in the existing beverage container deposit and recycling system failed due to opposition, so suppliers shipping to Oregon need to be aware of two separate systems, depending on how they package their wines. Wine Bottles Wine bottles and other forms of packaging (such as bag-in-a-box and Tetra Packs) will be covered by Oregon's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law starting July 1, 2025. By March 31, 2025, all suppliers that ship packaged wine in or into Oregon (unless exempt as described below) must register with the designated Producer Responsibility

The 2022 harvest will be remembered in the PNW as one of the most complicated. Workforce shortages, frost damage first, then the hottest summer in records, and, consequently, the insurgence of wildfires are just some of the issues local winemakers are facing and dealing with. But, what do these conditions mean for the grapes? We all know that a stressful environment triggers specific responses in the plants as well as being the cause of other issues later on. Strong rains: vines respond to stressful conditions very fast either shutting the ripening of the fruit (to ensure the survival of the plant) or synthesizing compounds to fight infections. B-glucans derived from Botrytis are structurally very different from other glucans (as the ones we can find in brewing processes for example) and therefore the enzyme selected for its breakdown has to be specific, otherwise, the time and effectiveness will be reduced - having a great impact on the production logistic. Mannozym is a specific

King Estate Winery in Willamette Valley is helping provide support to Ukraine relief organizations. They will be releasing a 2021 Pinot Gris named Onip, pronounced oh-peer, which is the Ukrainian word for "resistance." 100% of these proceeds will be going towards these organizations. TricorBraun WinePak has donated glass, pallets, and freight to help out with King Estate's amazing effort to help aid the people of Ukraine. Read full story(s) below: Bottling resistance: King Estate creates Onip wine to help Ukrainian people King Estate selling limited-edition wine to support Ukraine 2021 King Estate Willamette Valley Onip Pinot Gris