Like many industries, Oregon’s wineries have taken an economic hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. But one owner isn’t crying sour grapes.
Ed King is co-founder of King Estates Winery, south of Eugene. He says there’s been a steady growth curve for wine-related jobs, wages, and revenue that tracks back to 2005. In its 2019 report, the Oregon Wine Board showed Lane County wineries generated $186 million in revenue, roughly 2,000 jobs (including related and indirect), and nearly $5 million paid in property taxes.
“2020 was a different story and we’re not too surprised," King told KLCC. "Between the shutdowns, and the economy, and then our wildfires, it really was a triple whammy, going for the Oregon industry. I think the estimates are that things might’ve gone backwards about 20 percent.”
Hardest hit areas include on-premise wine sales and restaurants. King expects to see Oregon wineries steadily rebound as residents become vaccinated and COVID -19 cases decline.
Copyright 2021, KLCC.
