Advocacy
Family Winemakers is principally an advocacy organization that promotes the rights of members to produce, market and sell wine. Every session FWC works 100+ bills on your behalf, engages on wine industry regulatory issues, and works on direct shipping reform. Reform of state alcohol law in the past 14 years has been substantial. Political Solutions, Inc. is our lobbying firm in Sacramento (916) 492-2766.
Trade & Consumer Tastings
FWC-hosted wine tastings for qualified trade, media and consumers in Southern California and the Bay Area are key marketing events. Each is a cost effective way to reconnect with clients and meet new customers. Participation re-quires payment of dues, an exhibitor fee and insurance with liquor liability coverage. These costs are not included in regular membership fee. Type 02, 17/20 and 85 licensees can pour. Associate members can attend. One event in the Spring (SoCal) and one event in August (SF) for approximately 600 trade and consumer attendees.
Website Links
FWC members are listed on our new web site (
www.familywinemakers.org) under their membership category. This includes contact information and a link to your online wine store, as well as the ability to post your logo and a brief description. More importantly, FWC’s web site will allow wineries engaged in direct-to-consumer wine sales to list themselves on the wine shipping map. The map is designed to tell consumers which wineries sell in their state.
Membership Page
FWC members have password-protected access to their membership information on our Member Page to provide the association with updated information and a simple method to use for the annual renewal process. This is also where registration to pour at a tasting occurs.
Property & Casualty
FWC partners with National Winery Insurance for winery and vineyard property and casualty insurance, which can include liquor liability. For more information and a quote, please contact Jessica Huang at 408-343-8682 or
jessica@nationalwineryinsurance.com
Education Program
FWC hosts quarterly webinars on key winery topics with Moss Adams. Look for email announcements to sign up.
Political Action Committee
FWCPAC extends our educational reach and assist candidates that share our views. Funds are raised separately for this activity under Fair Political Practice Commission guidelines. Participation by member wineries will enhance FWC's ability to advocate small producer views. Contributions are voluntary, but strongly encouraged and have helped build solid relationships for winery issues.
Health Plan Options
We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with David Ernstam Insurance Services to offer our members' exclusive and affordable Ag related health plan options that meet our industry needs. Through this partnership, we have Eric Lewis, David Ernstam, and their team of dedicated health benefit professionals. This partnership could provide you with lower-cost health coverage for you and your workforce in addition to many value-added services. For more information or to get a quote, contact: Eric Lewis – 530. 923.4676 | Email:
eric@ernstam.com
DTC Opportunity for Members
VinoShipper – DTC opportunity. FWC has a partnership with VinoShipper offering our members the opportunity to sell direct to 40 states with non-exclusive license agreements already in place. There are no installation, monthly or recurring fees. This is "pay-as-you-go'. You only pay when you sell your wine. Our winery members receive exclusive member only pricing. Contact Theresa Dorr at
Theresa@vinoshipper.com with questions.
