WILLAMETTE VALLEY AMATEUR WINEMAKERS SOCIETY MINUTES
9/22/07

Location of Meeting:  Terry Plagman’s place
Chris Coon, the new President, opened the meeting. 
Points covered included the following:

• Chris had tried to get Forest, the winemaker from Willamette Valley Vineyards, to speak at this meeting, but he was busy with the grape stomp event.  Luna was going to speak about her award winning wine, but was unable to make it to the meeting.

• Chris handed out a survey for the members to complete.  Part of the survey focused on questions that were raised from the fundraising committee meetings.  What should the club focus on?  Action:  The survey will be on the website for members that were not present, to complete and send to Chris.

• Chris found out from the OLCC that they have a $25 temporary license for events. And that volunteers don't need to have a servers license to pour. Just read and sign a special volunteer pamphlet.

• Chris asked if members were interested in having business cards made.  He passed around two flyers with examples of cards.  One reason for having the cards may be that when members produce the cards at wine tastings that cost money, there may not be a charge if the person is in the wine making business.  There may also be discounts for the purchase of wine.  The cost for these types of cards would be $29.99 for 500 (special at Office Max-buy 250 and get 250 free).  One comment was that there weren’t a lot of wineries in this area that charge a wine tasting fee. Chris said that the members can get discounts for purchasing wine at Eola Winery and Willamette Valley Vineyards.    One question-Do business cards help us get discounts in for purchasing equipment for wine making?  Outcome:   The group decided not to order business cards at this time.

• Equipment:  The group discussed the possibility of purchasing equipment for the club that members could use.  Chris said that there is a member in McMinnville that is interested in donating a destemmer.  If we purchase equipment, how much money would be spent?   Jack shared that there are crushers and destemmers that can be purchased for less $400.  Action:  Will revisit at next meeting. 

• The annual dues, $25 per person or $25/couple are due now. 

• There is a current sign-up list so Chris can get members’ current e-mail addresses and phone numbers.

Action:  Members will make sure Chris and officers have up-to-date contact information.

• There will not be a meeting in October due to the harvest.  The next meeting is tentatively planned for the second Saturday in November, location and time to be announced.  One idea for the next meeting would be to get the new enology Extension Agent from OSU to speak.  Action:  Chris will contact Patty for contact information.

• Members would like information on where grapes can be obtained and purchased.  Gary was also looking for Gewurtzaminer grapes.  Action:  If members have information on available grapes, let Chris know and he will send information out to the club.

• Part of the meeting was spent tasting Cabernet Sauvignon.  Chris passed out a copy of an aroma wheel to rate the wines for spell, appearance, aroma, after taste, and overall impression.  Action:  The November meeting will include tastings for Pinot Gris.  Mike Gross and Ivan Wells each volunteered to bring a bottle.  We still need two other people to bring wine.  Goal is to bring wine you like, not just based on price.
  • Deferred until November Meeting:  Minutes from 8/18/07 need to be approved.