Services and benefits offered by Family Winemakers of California are available to current Regular and Associate members. Following is a description of the services and contact information on how to obtain additional details.

Trade and Consumer Tastings

Wineries often join FWC because the wine tastings for trade in Southern California and trade and consumers in San Francisco are premier marketing events and the largest tastings of California varietals in the world. Over the years many wineries have introduced themselves to the wine trade at FWC’s tastings. Many others regularly attend because it provides a cost effective way to continue business relationships and showcase wine for consumers. Participation in any of the tastings requires a separate table fee and proof of insurance (including liquor liability) that is not part of membership dues.

San Francisco's Tasting 2010 will welcome over 2,500 members of the trade and media for upwards of 340 vintners to showcase their craftsmanship and build brand awareness. This event will take place on August 22-23, 2010 at Fort Mason Center’s Festival Pavilion.  In 2003, FWC hosted its first consumer tasting in San Francisco. The consumer-oriented event has been combined with the trade tasting and occurs on the first day of the two-day event. Winery registration for the event will start in April 2010. The 20th Annual Tasting is open to custom crush producers (holders of Type 17 & 20 licenses) because of an FWC-sponsored change in state law (AB 323).  Winery registration is now open until July 21 or until capacity is reached.

The 2nd San Diego Tasting on Sunday, March 14 at Del Mar Fairgrounds showcased wine from 214 wineries for 1,000 trade members and over 800 consumers.  The event moved to a larger building to accommodate the interest in the event.  The 11th Southern California Trade Tasting on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 in Pasadena showcased wine from 236 wineries for 990 trade members.  Both tastings are open to custom crush producers (holders of Type 17 & 20 licenses) because of the law change. 

Associate members are eligible to attend the San Francisco and Southern California tastings with the wine trade (restaurateurs, retailers, distributors/brokers and wine media).

Winery Links
FWC members are listed on our web site (www.familywinemakers.org) under their membership category. More importantly, FWC’s redesigned site will allow wineries engaged in direct-to-consumer wine sales to list themselves in all states where they are legally permitted to ship wine. This listing, driven by member input through a password protected Member Page, will appear on the Buying CA Wine consumer map. The map is designed to tell consumers visiting the site if they can have wine shipped to them, and, which wineries are selling in their state.

Health Insurance
FWC’s association health insurance program features discount premiums from Blue Shield, Healthnet and Kaiser. The multiple plan options give qualified employers the flexibility to structure health insurance that meets the needs of employees. Digital Insurance is our partner and the process starts with an online questionnaire. Fill out the form and you'll be contacted.

Winery Insurance
FWC's membership insurance benefit portfolio also includes competitively priced property and casualty winery insurance. Offered to FWC members through the WineAmerica Insurance Program, coverage for owned or leased vineyards can include: building contents, library inventory, trellises, wine leakage, wine market valuation, business interruption, liquor, festival and product liability, chemical drift, automobile liability, workers' compensation and umbrella for the very large to the startup winery including surety bonds. An OSHA compliance evaluation can be scheduled as part of the program; fees are based on the size of the winery. If you are interested in learning more please contact Sue Varnell or Rhonda Harris at 1-800-524-4442 or by email (svarnell@CBIZ.com).

Membership Information
FWC members have password-protected access to their membership information to provide the association with updated information and during the annual renewal process. This is a new service available through the association’s web site and allows members to receive organization information, participate in grassroots political action on key public policy matters, and drive visitors to FWC’s web site to their own site through the Buying CA Wine consumer map.

Industry News
Timely information about legislative and regulatory changes in California and across the nation, as well as legal and industry updates, are essential to success in the wine industry. FWC regularly sends out membership newsletters -- Friday Wine Chronicle -- and posts information on this website. Members are given the opportunity to choose their preferred method of delivery – email text, email pdf or fax.

Direct Shipping Compliance
FWC partners with WineCompliancePro for direct-to-consumer tax reporting, state wine sales reporting, direct shipping permit licensing and renewal, and wholesale tax reporting services. For more information on the services and FWC preferred rates please contact Eva Bedolla at 707-252-4725 or by email.

Stormwater Compliance
FWC partners with Environmental Compliance Management Service for group stormwater regulatory compliance.  Members can join the group at a discount, which in most cases saves the cost of annual dues, and ease the demands of complying with the stormwater runoff regulatory program.  Contact Maureen Daggett at (916) 638-1504.

Wine Shipping
Golden State Overnight offers competitive wine delivery pricing for FWC members.  Call Brian Hogue at 800-322-5555, ext 1135.

Credit Card Processing
FWC partners with The Payment Exchange for credit card processing services at preferred rates. For more information on the services please contact Kraig Speckert at (916) 635-8800 (x301) or by email.

Political Action Committee
FWC has a political action committee (FWCPAC) to extend our educational reach and assist candidates that share our views. Participation by member wineries will enhance FWC's ability to advocate small producer views. Contributions are voluntary, but strongly encouraged.

Membership Meetings
The Annual Meeting in Sacramento on January 25, 2010 offered an opportunity to meet with legislators and gain new insights into wine marketing.  Regional meetings, when held, allow local vintners the opportunity to voice their views on pertinent public policy issues and help shape FWC positions.

FWC is committed to increasing the value of a membership in the organization. Join today. Take advantage of what we offer. Help shape the benefits you want for tomorrow.