World Wine Trade Group of Global Government and Wine Industry Delegates Meet in Sonoma

Wine Institute Hosts First In-Person Event Since 2019

SAN FRANCISCO — Sixty government and wine sector representatives from all over the world participated in the three-day World Wine Trade Group (WWTG) meeting held this week in Santa Rosa, Calif. 

Delegates from all nine WWTG member countries, as well as observers from the United Kingdom, attended the group’s first in-person meeting in three years. The United States currently serves as chair of the group and Wine Institute, chair of the WWTG Industry Section, hosted the meeting.

“The WWTG has a long history of successful collaboration and engagement to address timely, relevant and often complex issues such as the ones we are facing now,” said Wine Institute CEO and President Robert P. Koch. “Hosting this meeting provided an incredible opportunity to showcase California wine’s global leadership in sustainability to an influential audience.”

During a half-day regulatory forum on sustainability, the group discussed the history of sustainable winegrowing activities within the World Wine Trade Group, the status of industry programs, and obstacles for sustainably produced wine in export markets. A technical tour of several Sonoma County wineries allowed delegates to see real-world examples of how sustainable practices are being incorporated into vineyard and winery operations.

Other topics discussed during the meeting included new developments in labeling regulations, certification requirements and technical barriers to trade. 

U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-05), co-chair of the Congressional Wine Caucus, kicked off the meeting by highlighting the importance of the wine sector to the regional and state economy and his work in Congress to address climate change and wildfires.

The group will meet again next March in Brussels, Belgium.

Download 4 event photos

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About WWTG  

Founded in 1998, the WWTG aims to facilitate international trade of wine through information sharing, discussion of regulatory issues in wine markets, and joint actions for the removal of trade barriers. The group consists of government and industry representatives from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Georgia, New Zealand, South Africa, United States and Uruguay. 

About Wine Institute  

Established in 1934, Wine Institute is the public policy advocacy group of 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses that initiates and advocates state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine. The organization works to enhance the economic and environmental health of the state through its leadership in sustainable winegrowing and by showcasing California’s wine regions as ideal destinations for food and wine travelers to the state. To learn more about California wines, visit DiscoverCaliforniaWines.