Become A Member
Winery Member Benefits:
Cabernet Academy – May 13-16. This event brings influential sommeliers and wine buyers to Alexander Valley from across the country and provides high quality, focused exposure to our winemakers’ and our Cabernet Sauvignon. Increasing our reputation for world-class Cabernet translates to increased bottle prices and increased grape prices for our winegrowers. We’re happy to announce that this year, the AVW has secured The Somm Journal and The Tasting Panel as our media sponsor for Cab Academy, and they will be providing the moderator, Jessie Birschbach, Senior Wine, Beer & Spirits Editor, and will be sending a journalist to cover this 2.5-day event.
Alexander Valley Ambassador Program – Dates TBD. This half-day program is for local buyers, concierges, tasting room and hospitality staff, tour operators, and any other people in the hospitality industry in Sonoma County. Our aim is to instill a common brand message amongst all who promote the Alexander Valley AVA and our wines. Attendees at this event will enjoy immersive wine education, morning coffee & pastries, a thorough presentation and tasting of AV wines, and a wine & charcuterie social at the end.
Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience – May 18. The HWFE is a newer DTC event in the area produced by the Sonoma County Winegrowers. This event takes place in down Healdsburg and brings thousands for four days of Sonoma County wine education, wine tasting, culinary experiences, and tours. The AVW purchases a table each year at this event and the wines we feature are on a pay-to-pour basis. We can usually feature up to eight AV wines!
Taste of Sonoma – June 22. This DTC event is produced by Sonoma County Vintners and has a longstanding reputation as the Sonoma County wine-tasting event of the summer! The AVW purchases a table each year at this event and the wines we feature are on a pay-to-pour basis. We can usually feature up to eight AV wines!
Access Alexander Valley – August/TBD. AAV is our own DTC event, and we are in the process of re-envisioning this event to be more exclusive and more profitable. Stay tuned.
Membership Signage: Alexander Valley Winegrowers provides a site sign for all growers/vineyards and the opportunity for winery members to purchase directional arrows for our signposts throughout the valley. We conduct a sign audit each year to keep signage up-to-date and provide annual maintenance.
Grower Member Benefits:
Annual Pruning Contest – February 13, 2024. This will be our 22nd Annual Pruning Contest! This annual event is an opportunity to honor the hard work, dedication, and skills of our vineyard workers. NOTE: We are the only AVA in the region that still holds a pruning contest!
Grower Marketplace – March 6, 2024. This year’s Grower Marketplace will be a convivial gathering of growers & buyers under one roof. At this event our growers can meet face-to-face with buyers, discuss their growing practices, their grapes, and their pricing. We also invite growers to bring barrel samples and share them with each other. This event is open to all growers whether you have grapes to sell or not. Come socialize, listen to a few relevant guest speakers, and enjoy a taco with friends.
The Grape List – Published March & August. Our biannual publication of Alexander Valley Grapes for Sale. This PDF is sent to our list of brokers, buyers, & reps, and to all of our Member Wineries encouraging them to buy Alexander Valley fruit!
Integrated Pest Management Meetings – May, June & July. IPM Meetings begin. An opportunity for growers to discuss and share winegrowing strategies. Each meeting will have speakers covering a variety of topics such as pest control, farming practices & compliance. Brown bag meet-ups are held immediately following the IPM meetings at Hoot Owl Creek organized by the Sonoma Winegrape Commission. Continuing Education Units are available at the monthly meetings.
Membership Signage: Alexander Valley Winegrowers provides a site sign for all growers/vineyards and the opportunity for winery members to purchase directional arrows for our signposts throughout the valley. We conduct a sign audit each year to keep signage up-to-date and provide annual maintenance.
Community Partner Member Benefits:
- Website presence via a logo & contact info on the ‘Partnership Page’ of our website in both the English & Spanish versions.
- Newsletter spotlight business feature once per year.
- Invitation to write articles of interest to our members to be included in our monthly newsletters.
- Opportunity to develop seminars or webinars geared toward our membership.
- Invitations for two to our Annual Member Summer BBQ in July & Annual Harvest Review/Holiday Party in December to connect with our members.
- The opportunity to become an individual sponsor for catering, décor, or music of our member events at an additional cost and receive mentions in our event webpages, email marketing, event signage, and special mentions.
- A wine discount card that offers up to 30% discount on purchases at many of our member wineries.
Additional Benefits for all Membership Levels:
SOCIAL GATHERINGS Alexander Valley Winegrowers hosts social events to network and meet your Alexander Valley neighbors while also providing insights into industry trends. These events include:
AVWG Annual Meeting including a Harvest Recap & Holiday Celebration – December – 4, 2024
AVWG Summer Member BBQ – July/TBD 2024
WINE BUYER DISCOUNT CARD with discounts up to 30% from participating wineries. Your discount card is included in your welcome packet, along with a list of Alexander Valley Winery members who honor a special discounted rate to our membership on wine purchases.