Washington and Oregon join up for UK trade and media representation
The Oregon Wine Board (OWB) and the Washington State Wine Commission (WSWC) have joined forces in the UK to promote wines from the USA’s Pacific Northwest.
To this end, both have appointed Green Hill Band (GHB) – a consultancy specialising in food, drink and agriculture – as their new, shared trade and media agency.
GHB will serve as the representative for both organisations in the UK market, with the goal of increasing awareness and distribution of wines from both regions.
The UK is a major international market for the wines from both Oregon and Washington, with GHB citing “long-standing trade relationships, industry-leading media, and future growth potential” within the British market.
Combining their representation in one agency is intended to provide a one-stop-shop for members of the trade seeking to grow their knowledge of the Pacific Northwest’s wines.
Commenting on the partnership, Margaret Bray, international marketing manager for the OWB, said: “Having previously worked with the principals of Green Hill Band, we are thrilled to have them representing Oregon wine. The team brings a wealth of experience which underscores our commitment to the UK and supports the growth of our wineries and importers in this market.
Her counterpart international marketing manager at the WSWC Kate Salisbury added: “The UK is one of our most important international markets. Green Hill Band has an outstanding reputation within the food & drink sector, and their understanding of our audiences and opportunities make them the ideal partner as we expand access to Washington wine in the UK.”
Both organisations serve a similar purpose in their respective regions.
The OWB is a semi-independent state agency, which manages marketing, research and education initiatives to support Oregon’s wine and wine grape industry.
Meanwhile, the WSWC – another state government agency – represents every licensed winery and wine grape grower in Washington State, funded almost entirely by the industry through assessments based on grape and wine sales.
GHB has planned a series of promotional activities for both organisations in the coming year, looking to build and strengthen trade and media relationships.
This includes its UK Trade Event in November 2026, the Oregon Wine Board Tasting in February 2027 and the Washington State Wine Commission’s event at Wine Paris 2027.
To find out more about the partnership between the two states, you can read Harpers’ coverage of regional collaborations in the analysis pages of the upcoming September 2026 issue.
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