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Benefits of being a member

Winery Membership International Program Visa Signature® Program SCION | Resources

Winery General Membership Benefits

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 200 winery members ranging in size from less than 200 cases to more than 1 million. We offer a variety of benefits to members of all sizes.

As a Sonoma County Vintner winery member, you will have access to the Sonoma County Vintners events and services including but not limited to: Sonoma County Barrel Auction, Taste of Sonoma and Sonoma County Wine Auction. 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.

To join Sonoma County Vintners or renew your current membership, please click here. To learn more about becoming a Sonoma County Vintner member, contact Madison Garzoli, Director of Membership & International Programs.

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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.

To join the International Program, please fill out the enrollment form here and email directly to contact Madison Garzoli, Director of Membership & International Programs.

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2022 International Export Program

As part of our 2022 International Export programming, Sonoma County Vintners is planning 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. All member wineries MUST be enrolled in Sonoma County Vintners International Export Program to participate, and a winery principal MUST attend to represent your brand.

Registration has closed. Please note that your participation is not guaranteed by previous submission of a form. Final wineries/wines will be chosen based on theme and varietal and AVA diversity.

Eastern Europe In-Bound Trade Group
February 3, 2022

California Wine Institute is scheduling an in-person trade tour of the Napa, Monterey, Lodi, Napa and Sonoma counties from January 30 through February 6, 2022. A group of eight importers from the emerging markets of Ukraine and Bulgaria will be accompanied by Marco Tiggelman (CWI Europe Office). All importers have expressed their interest in expanding their California portfolios for all levels of wines.

SCV is hosting a Sonoma County program that will include a presentation from SCV on the county as a whole, a seminar/master class with winery representatives, a walk around tasting and lunch.
This is for wineries that DO NOT already have an importer in the Ukraine and/or Bulgaria
There is NO COST to participate in this event if you are a current member of the Sonoma County Vintners International Export Program.

South Korea Virtual Activation
March 2022, TBD

Sonoma County Vintners will host a hybrid program with key trade gathering in a centralized location in South Korea and vintner representatives tuning in virtually. This program will focus on brands currently available in market. Please only submit wines that are currently in market for consideration of this program.

There is NO COST to participate in this event if you are a current member of the Sonoma County Vintners International Export Program although wineries will be responsible for the cost of the sample shipments as there will not be a local consolidation.

Sonoma Summit: The Nordics
May 1-6, 2022

Sonoma County Vintners will be hosting a group of trade and media from the Nordics, 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

Participants do not need to be currently exporting to the Nordics. There is NO COST to participate in this event if you are a current member of the Sonoma County Vintners International Export Program.

Programs and marketing efforts are pending for the second half of the year. Once those details are confirmed, we will be reaching out with the program details and appropriate sign up. If you have any questions, please email our Director of Membership & International Programs.

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).

WINEMAKER DINING EVENTS

Share your story to corporate groups and key markets across the country! Visa Signature and Sonoma County Vintners collaborate to deliver up to 20 Winemaker Dinners or Winemaker Activations in major direct-to-consumer markets each year. Cities include, but are not limited to, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, New York City, Houston, Denver, San Francisco, Chicago, Minneapolis, Atlanta.

NEW

In addition to the Winemaker Dining Events Visa and Sonoma County Vintners have developed virtual programming to be offered to corporate groups throughout the year. Winery participants will have the opportunity to develop content, pricing and other programming needs with Sonoma County Vintners/Visa clients.

Dinners/programs are hosted by card issuers (Hyatt, United Mileage Plus, Navy Federal, etc.) and have an average range of 60-100 cardholders in attendance.
Winemaker dinners take place in James Beard, Michelin-starred or otherwise highly-coveted restaurants around the country and give your winery an exclusive spotlight.
Wineries are chosen by market, size, number of attendees and overall engagement in the Visa Signature program.
Winery Participants for Winemaker Dinners receive:
- Two seats for winery principals
- An opportunity to speak to the dinner guests, tell your brand story and enhance their dining experiences with your notes on the pairings
- Base stipend of $1,250 for up to (60) people in attendance (approx. 60 bottles)
- Additional compensation for dinners over (60) people
- Option to provide pre-approved gifts and collateral to guests

NEW ONLINE PROMOTION:

Option to offer $1 Ground Shipping for online orders of three (3) or more bottles.

REQUIREMENTS FOR 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
Submit Monthly Tracking of the “2 for 1” of REDEMPTIONS ONLY
1. Wineries are incentivized to win a $100 gift card each month of submission
Promotion of your Visa Signature participation on:
1. Winery website
2. Reservation platform
3. Tasting room menu (*Sonoma County Vintners to provide assets for program promotion)
A 60-day “wait” period and written notice is required should you decide to withdraw from the program

SCION | Resources

Sonoma County Vintners has launched 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.

Visit our dedicated SCION and member resource area.

Questions?

To learn more, please contact Madison Garzoli, Director of Membership & International Programs.

Innovative. Collaborative. Informative.

Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) is the leading voice of Sonoma County Wine, dedicated to increasing awareness and improving the quality image of our wines to consumers, media and trade — locally and globally.

Providing member services that define the standard for the California wine industry.
Establishing new standards for collaboration with other Sonoma County partners.
Pioneering new strategies and techniques for marketing our wines and wineries to the world.
Being the source for news and access to the Sonoma County wine industry.
Creating events and marketing programs that educate and entertain while conveying the outstanding quality of the world-class wines produced in Sonoma County.