Evergreen, Foris partner for Chateau
Foris wine label
A project that began last year to benefit Wildlife Images Rehabilitation Center is being expanded this year to include restoration of Oregon Caves Chateau.
Foris Vineyards Winery, of Cave Junction, and Al Devine, vice president of marketing for Evergreen Federal Bank, are working together for the second year.
Said Devine, “When I first approached Ted Gerber, owner of Foris Vineyards Winery, about an idea we had at Evergreen about doing a special wine and label that would feature wildlife art and benefit Wildlife Images Rehabilitation Center, he and his staff and his distributor took the idea and made it happen.
“In addition to a portion of the proceeds benefiting Wildlife Images, the project benefits local artists and art projects such as the annual Grants Pass Wildlife Art Show.
“It is nice to see businesses like Foris and the
community come together on a project that helps an important cause. It says a lot about
our community,” said Devine.
Evergreen’s marketing department has been working on a similar idea that would benefit the Chateau at Oregon Caves National Monument. The Chateau was completed in 1934 and, besides a growing need for restoration, Devine said, “The Chateau needs repairs that cannot wait
until restoration funding is obtained.”
He explains that Illinois Valley Community Development Organization (IVCDO) is doing a great job of keeping the doors open at the Chateau. It is protecting a steady flow of local jobs and tourism dollars coming into the valley, but it needs help -- right away, he stressed.
IVCDO is a local non-profit and operates Oregon Caves Outfitters as the authorized concessionaire for the Chateau.
“There will be a lot of publicity about the Chateau in 2009 because it will mark its 75th anniversary and the 100th anniversary of the Oregon Caves National Monument,” said Devine.
“However, this historic lodge is far too important to our local economy to wait until then to start letting the world know that it needs to be saved.”
While looking at this year’s submissions of wildlife art for the benefit of Wildlife
Images, located in rural Grants Pass, Devine saw an image by Shawn Gould, an artist in Eureka, Calif. Devine thought that Gould’s image would work as part of the Foris wildlife art series and for the Chateau as well.
“We have already been working with local artists to produce ideas for a ‘Cave Bear’ beer label that could create an awareness about the Chateau and hopefully create a small local cottage industry producing label art,” said Devine. “I really hope that this still happens; I think the
merchandising opportunities could be out of this world.
“We were just running out of time for this year, so I called Ted and, despite the short notice, he has hit another home run with his Foris Cave Bear Red wine featuring Shawn Gould’s image on the label.”
Said Gerber, “We were pleased that we were in a position to be able to help. and we are proud of the way the project has turned out so far. The Oregon Caves National Monument means so much to this community and all of us in Southern Oregon.
“It is important for the
community to come together and ensure the preservation of this national treasure.”
Why a cave bear? Devine answers, “I have realized for a long time that there needs to be a renewed connection between the Oregon Caves and local businesses, especially in Cave Junction and Grants Pass.
“People seem to have forgotten about the whole Caveman thing and the effect it had on tourism. Just look in a phone book and see how many things still bear the Caveman name.”
Devine continued, “We need new ideas -- things that will capture the imagination of today’s tourists. Then, several years ago, a prehistoric bear skull was discovered in an unexplored area of the Oregon Caves, and I remember thinking how someone
could have literally tripped over an great opportunity.
“A Cave Bear -- what a great marketing and merchandising opportunity for local business.”
For information about the availability of this wine and others in the Foris Wildlife Art Series, phone Foris Vineyards Winery at 592-3752.
