Sonoma County Vintners Winery Membership Benefits and Programs
Sonoma County Vintners is a nonprofit association that promotes the wines and wineries of Sonoma County to regional, national and international audiences. Membership is open to any winery producing Sonoma County wine. We have over 250 winery members ranging in size from less than 200 cases to more than 1 million. We offer a variety of membership benefits and programs to members of all sizes.
As a Sonoma County Vintner winery member, you will have access to the Sonoma County Vintners membership benefits and programs including but not limited to: Sonoma County Barrel Auction, Taste of Sonoma and Sonoma County Wine Auction. SCV also maintains an active International Program for wineries interested in exporting and a Visa Signature® Program to support tasting room activations. Our Sonoma County Industry Opportunity Network (SCION) courses throughout the year keep our members informed on many facets of the wine industry.
Additionally, your membership enables your winery to submit wines for critic tastings. Previous critic tasting opportunities included the Wine Advocate and Jeb Dunnuck tastings. Throughout the year your winery will receive updates on government regulations/policies related to your winery. Also you will have the support of the Sonoma County Vintners Government Relations committee.
The Sonoma County Vintners utilize media relationships to promote Sonoma County as a world-class wine region and keep the public updated with crucial crisis communications. Several informative members only webinars/seminars that support all facets of your business are available throughout the year. Through event marketing programs you have the option to participate and gain exposure for your winery with the ideal consumer, media and trade members.
Member Opportunities
International Program
Visa Signature® Program
SCION Industry Resources
International Program
Sonoma County Vintners works closely with the California Wine Institute to bring high-level trade, media and retailers to Sonoma County from key international markets around the world. By participating in the Sonoma County Vintners International Marketing & Export Program, wineries have the ability to obtain important brand exposure with groups visiting Sonoma County or by traveling with Sonoma County Vintners in outbound campaigns to markets such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan.
As part of our Sonoma County Vintners Winery Membership International Export programming, Sonoma County Vintners has planned activations with trade and media representatives around the globe. We continue to focus on the top five markets for U.S. Exports, while also activating emerging markets.
Vinexpo (Paris, France)
February 13 – 15, 2023
Sonoma County Vintners will be bringing up to six chosen wineries to Vinexpo to participate in the three-day tradeshow. Participating wineries will have the opportunity to showcase the diversity of Sonoma County to French and international customers through pouring in sessions at our booth, tailor made business meetings and presenting in dedicated Master Classes. This is a unique opportunity for Vintners to connect with trade who might not be able to attend ProWein in March.
ProWein (Dusseldorf, Germany)
March 19 – 21, 2023
Sonoma County Vintners is bringing up to six chosen wineries to Prowein to participate in the three-day tradeshow. Additional wineries have the opportunity to be represented in the “Explore Sustainable California” self-pour exhibit – a Sonoma County by-the-glass pouring session where trade and consumers can take a self guided tour to explore the five key varietals of Sonoma County.
Sonoma Summit
May 1-5, 2023
Sonoma County Vintners will be hosting an international group of trade and media including importers, retailers, sommeliers and at least one lifestyle journalist, in Sonoma County. This group is also slated to attend the Sonoma County Barrel Auction events.
The five-day program will include:
- In-depth master classes across Sonoma County
- Interactive multi-vintner events
- All Sonoma County Barrel Auction events
- Winery lunch/dinner hosting opportunities
There is NO COST to participate in this event if you are a current member of the Sonoma County Vintners International Export Program.
VinExpo Asia (Singapore)
May 23-25, 2023
Sonoma County Vintners will be bringing wineries to Vinexpo Asia to participate in the three-day tradeshow. Participating wineries will have the opportunity to showcase the diversity of Sonoma County to the Asia-Pacific market through pouring in sessions at our booth, tailor made business meetings and a Master Class. It will be held at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and is a unique opportunity for Vintners to connect with trade and establish key partnerships.
Visa Signature® Program
Tasting Room Benefit “Evergreen Offer”
Drive NEW visitors to your tasting room! Participating wineries in the Evergreen Offer provides a “2 for 1” savings on their standard tasting fees, available for all Visa Signature® and Visa Infinite ® cardholders. This program is promoted by Sonoma County Vintners and Visa to their card issuer clients, ultimately marketing to thousands of potential new customers. Currently, these card issuers include Hyatt, United Mileage Plus, Chase Marriott Bonvoy, Navy Federal Credit Union, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines and more!
You are also encouraged to offer preferred savings on wine and merchandise purchases made on same-day visits in the tasting room (average participant offers 10% of wine and merchandise).
Requirements for Visa Winery Program Participants
- No annual fee to participate
- Agree to the Evergreen “2 for 1” savings on your standard tasting fees
- Agree to a savings on purchases made in the tasting room on the same day as the tasting visit
- Promotion of your Visa Signature participation on:
- Winery website
- Reservation platform
- Display QR code provided by SCV
- A 60-day “wait” period and written notice is required should you decide to withdraw from the program
SCION: Sonoma County Industry Opportunity Network
Sonoma County Vintners Winery Membership includes access to a branded academic program called SCION, Sonoma County Industry Opportunity Network. SCION incorporates educational seminars and webinars offered to members of Sonoma County Vintners, featuring topics such as DTC sales and shipping compliance, marketing, public relations, winery production and other emerging issues. The program encompasses a library of resources for members that will include recordings and presentations of past events, additional information and statistics on relevant wine industry topics, and a list of contacts and other resources available to members.
Sonoma County Wine Appellations
There are 19 distinct Sonoma County wine appellations, wine growing regions known as American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Each has a unique climate and geography and directly correlates to the wine in your glass. From warm, sunny days to cooler, fog covered valley floors, the variations in the geography and climate influence each individual region in many ways.
Our Sonoma County AVA map is available for download as high resolution and low resolution JPEGs and PDFs. Also please take a moment to read the usage guidelines included in the download folder.
Sonoma County is an incredible spot to make many different styles of wines—it’s almost like a whole country in one county.
Keith Goldston, Master Sommelier
Additional Winery Member Resources
Post Jobs
Send us your employment opportunities for our Winery Job Board and we’ll share this with the public via our social media channels.
Submit Press Tips
Watch your email and our Facebook SCV Members Only page for opportunities we forward from the media to be included in our pitches.
Update Contacts
Do you have new staff members? Ask them to opt in via our email signup form to receive SCV member news.
