I began covering wine for The Oregonian a decade ago. At that time, the industry was established but unsophisticated; wine country didn't boast a luxury hotel or many fine-dining options. Vintners answered the phone -- or didn't -- while sitting on the backs of tractors, or while driving their vans to town to "hand sell" their wares to restaurateurs and shop owners. 

Today, more often than not, local wineries employ marketing teams and distribution firms to handle messaging and deliveries. The Willamette Valley, Rogue Valley and Columbia Gorge appellations, in particular, have seen spectacular growth as wine-tourism destinations. And the ...