Oregon wine and spirits see downturn from tariffs [Video]

SALEM, Ore. — Two years of struggle and sagging sales for the Oregon wine industry have given way to what wine industry insiders are calling new challenges caused by the Trump administration’s recent tariff increases.

The sales and merchandising issues for wineries are leading to a drop in business for wine distributors and storage facilities. That includes Oregon’s largest wine storage facility, Northwest Distribution & Storage.

“We’re intimately tied to the wine industry,” said Jason Flaig, company partner and CEO.

Pallets of wine and spirits from about 300 businesses fill Northwest Distribution & Storage’s six warehouses.

“We have just under a half-million square feet of space, total,” said Flaig, who explained that just because the space is full, it doesn’t necessarily indicate business is booming.

“We’re most successful when the wine comes …