Russian River Valley Winegrowers

Russian River Valley Branding InitiativesApril 2024-Development and Launch of RussianRiverValleyWineWeekend.comRussian River Valley Winegrowers worked with Danielle Firle of the Secret Supper team to develop RussianRiverValleyWineWeekend.com. This new website served as an easier outlet for ticket sales for the weekend of events, as well as an opportunity to promote our sponsors, including our hotel partner, the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country.The main purpose of the website is to promote DTC-offers from various members for Russian River Valley Weekend on an annual basis. RussianRiverValley.org serves as more of an informative, educational resource about the region, so we decided to place the consumer offers under a more tourism-focused site. RRVW simultaneously created a social media campaign to promoting the offers as well (2 offers per week for six weeks). Application and Awarding of USDA Value-Added Producer GrantWith continued deficit spending since 2021 and dwindling financial reserves since the loss of revenue from the Sonoma County Barrel Auction, the Russian River Valley Winegrowers used our 2023 Board Retreat in October to discuss alternative revenue opportunities. As part of this, Morrison & Co., a grant-writing firm, was asked to come and provide a presentation of their services. They offered two potential grants for RRVW to pursue: A Value-Added Producer Grant (USDA) or a Specialty Crop-Block Grant. From October- December, volunteer BOD members sought competitive bids for grant writers. In December 2023, RRVW signed on with Morrison & Co. for a VAPG application for 2024. From January-March 2024, a feasibility study conducted with members, and a marketing plan is completed with the assistance of Amy Tesconi (Tesconi Marketing). The application was submitted in April 2024. A total investment of $37.5k ($33k to Morrison & Co., $4.5k to Amy Tesconi) was made for the grant. The funding is a 1:1 matching grant of $250k for up to 36 months. Funding is focused on outbound marketing. RRVW chose the markets of Dallas, Washington D.C., and Atlanta for trade, consumer, and media events to promote Russian River Valley. RRVW learned that the grant was successfully awarded in September 2024. While funding was accessible to grantees starting in October, the funding was contingent on showing matching total matching funds. RRVW was granted an extension to show proof of funds till January 31, 2025. No grant revenue was recognized in 2024. Committees and GroupsDTC Networking Group-meeting schedule varied throughout the year.Chaired by Cristina Torres

Marketing + PR Committee-Quarterly meeting basisEvent Committee Task Force-Quarterly meeting basis till Russian River Valley Wine Weekend