Become a Member | Wine Institute

Our work benefits every winery in California.

In these unprecedented times, Wine Institute is here to support your winery.

Wine Institute is making COVID-19 guidance and resources available to all wineries. As the only organization advocating for California wineries at the state, federal and international levels, Wine Institute is dedicated to providing the resources to support our industry through this crisis. Wine Institute’s efforts on COVID-19 and many other industry issues are made possible by our California winery and associate members.

See COVID-19 Update Page

Wine Institute unites the strength of its members to create an environment where wineries can thrive.

Access to Expert Staff

Members enjoy access to Wine Institute’s experienced staff to answer questions, provide guidance, and advocate for their business. Wine Institute staff assists members with legal questions and guidance, TTB label approvals, compliance resources, best practices, and advocacy with regulators and legislators at all levels of government, as well as international trade policy and export promotion.

Federal Excise Tax Savings

Wine Institute won renewal of the historic Federal Excise Tax reduction for wineries that we championed in 2018. This law cut excise taxes for California wineries of every size, resulting in industrywide savings of $75 million annually. Extending these tax cuts is our top federal priority.

Direct-to-Consumer Shipping

Wine Institute led the fight to open up 46 states and counting to DTC shipping, allowing wineries to ship to 95% of U.S. consumers and build a new, robust channel for wine sales that is especially important right now. Our state relations team works to defeat excise tax increases across the country and is available to answer questions, facilitate communications with key regulatory staff.

Fedex Shipping Discounts

Last year, Wine Institute members saved an average of $16,500 through the FedEx Advantage® shipping program, an exclusive benefit for Wine Institute members. Small and medium-sized wineries especially benefit from this program which offers rates normally provided to high-volume shippers.

Compliance Resources

Wine Institute’s website offers extensive members-only regulatory tools and guidance including our DTC and Wholesale Shipping Laws portal, FDA nutrition calculator, state tax rate lookup, best-practice guides and guidelines on FSMA, CCPA, music licensing, marketing, and many other issues.

Marketing Opportunities

Share events and a winery profile on our global consumer website, that reaches consumers and trade in the U.S. and major markets around the world. Be part of annual statewide celebrations like California Wine Month in September, and publicity programs that generate more than 5 billion impressions on traditional and social channels.

Member Benefits

Associate Member Benefits

Questions?

Ian Blue

Member Relations Director iblue@wineinstitute.org 415-356-7537