Welcome to Wine Institute California Wine Export Program

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The camaraderie and mentorship amongst fellow California wineries in the export program has been immensely beneficial. This kind of teamwork shows how dedicated member wineries are to the broader long-term goal of raising the profile of California wines internationally.

Joseph Lange International Sales, LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards

Why You Should Join Us

Membership in the California Wine Export Program offers myriad benefits, from access to trade and consumer programs to market data and reports conducted in more than 40 countries including Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Finland, Estonia, France, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, the Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United Kingdom, Uganda, Ukraine and Vietnam.

10 great reasons to participate:
International Representatives

Essential insights on export markets around the world from Wine Institute’s team of international representatives located in Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, and the United Kingdom

Access to Brokers and Importers

Access and introductions to brokers and importers throughout the world who are eager to connect and do business with California wineries.

Invitations to Events, Activities and Retail Opportunities

Invitations to participate in annual events, promotions, and programs in more than 30 markets around the world, including California Wines pavilions at major international tastings and trade shows.

Your membership includes opportunities to participate in retail promotions, on-premise programs, consumer events, trade and media visits, and advertising campaigns; streamlined consolidated wine shipments to international trade events; and options to feature your wines in seminars and tastings for key trade influencers.

Trade and Media Events

Opportunities to participate in trade and media visits to California wine regions organized by Wine Institute’s International Department.

You’ll be invited to host trade buyers and wine writers at your winery property, participate in panel discussions or walk-around tastings, and have your wines featured at dinners and events.

Opportunities for Trade Stakeholders

Opportunities to feature your wines or winemaker in trade education webinars, virtual tours, virtual tastings, and programs developed specifically for trade stakeholders.

Preferred Access to Annual Export Meeting/Conference

Preferred access to the annual Export Meeting/Conference and invitations to members-only events, webinars, meetings, and conferences.

Access to Export Program Member Website

Access to market data and reports, importer lists, and U.S. export statistics through the California Wine Export Program member website.

Preferred Access to California Wines Programs

Preferred access to the new California Wines Education and Certification program, including educational materials, videos, and support programs.

Access to the Export Mentor Program

Access to the Export Mentor program for New to Export and New to Market wineries.

Expert Counsel and Information

Expert counsel and information on international trade policy, export requirements, and market information including tax and tariff rates upon request.

About Our Dues

We base dues for the California Wine Export Program on gallons or dollars for the prior year. All export sales should include both bottled and bulk wines exported, and membership should include all California brands under the winery or company. Export Program Member dues are based on a sliding scale depending on a winery’s total export sales from the prior year using the categories listed below.

For wineries represented by a broker or outside wine company, the winery must be the entity registering for membership. If you are registering at the $600 level, please send a check or pay by credit card. Dues for all other membership levels can be billed semi-annually in July or January when being paid by check.

GallonsGallonsorDollars (USD)Dollars (USD)Membership Fees
11,999or$1$49,999$600
2,0003,400or$50,000$99,000$750
3,5005,499or$100,000$149,999$1,000
5,5009,999or$150,000$199,999$1,500
10,00011,999or$200,000$274,999$2,000
12,00019,999or$275,000$349,999$2,500
20,00034,999or$350,000$424,999$3,250
35,00049,999or$425,000$499,999$4,500
50,00074,999or$500,000$749,999$6,500
75,00099,999or$750,000$999,999$8,000
100,000149,999or$1,000,000$1,499,999$10,500
150,000199,999or$1,500,000$2,499,999$15,000
200,000399,999or$2,500,000$3,999,999$18,000
400,000599,999or$4,000,000$5,999,999$24,000
600,000999,999or$6,000,000$6,999,999$30,000
1,000,0001,999,999or$7,000,000$19,999,999$36,000
2,000,0003,499,999or$20,000,000$29,999,999$45,000
3,500,0004,999,999or$30,000,000$39,999,999$50,000
5,000,0006,999,999or$40,000,000$59,999,999$60,000
7,000,0009,999,999or$60,000,000$74,999,999$75,000
10,000,00012,999,999or$75,000,000$89,000,000$90,000
13,000,00015,999,999or$90,000,000$119,999,999$120,000
16,000,000overor$120,000,000over$140,000

Meet Our Executive Committee

The California Wine Export Program Executive Committee provides important direction and oversight for the program’s activities and finances. The advisory committee is comprised of active winery members in the Export Program and is a representative sample of the membership as a whole in terms of export sales volume, total wine production, regions and expertise. The 2021 Executive Committee includes:

Sally Burton
Jackson Family Wines
Vice President, Marketing
Molly Davis
Vice President of International Marketing
E. & J. Gallo
Vivien Gay
Director of International Sales
Silver Oak / Twomey / Ovid
Bradley Groper
Long Meadow Ranch
Chief Sales Officer
Joan Kautz
Global Sales and Marketing
Kautz Family Vineyards
Joseph Lange
International Sales
Langetwins Family Winery and Vineyards
Michael Parr
Vice President, International Sales
Wente Family Vineyards
Leigh Ann Reed
International Sales Director
Boisset Collection
Claudia Schug
Schug Carneros Estate
Owner
Brent Shortridge
Export Director
Schramsberg Vineyards
Abigail Smyth
Export Director
Crimson Wine Group
Get Mentored

Looking for one-on-one advice for breaking into a new region or boosting your winery’s impact in an established market? The California Wine Mentorship Program can help by matching you with a seasoned California Wine Export Program participant who knows the ropes. Through sharing resources and experience, the Mentorship Program provides a welcoming, inclusive platform that promotes success for all of our members.

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1. Check the appropriate box on your membership form to indicate interest in becoming a mentee.
2. Diane Berardi, manager of operations and memberships, will follow up about your interests and goals. Once we have a better understanding of what you are looking for, we will explore our network to match you with a mentor based on areas of interest and expertise.
3. Diane will coordinate an introductory email between mentor and mentee. Once introduced, you are free to schedule a one-on-one meeting by phone, email, Zoom, or in-person.

Discover Our Program

ANNUAL EVENTS AND MEETINGS

The California Wine Export Program maintains a 12-month calendar of events and activities around the world to help wineries take advantage of exciting opportunities throughout the year. We also host informational meetings and webinars that are open to all wineries interested in exporting California wines.

Check the EVENTS page regularly for updates and for more information, or if you would like to participate in an upcoming event.