A Full House at Emeritus

Wine business professionals gather to network, sip, and hear from Jeff Clark 

Last week at Emeritus Vineyards, wine business professionals gathered for a sold-out event to discuss one of the most pressing topics in today’s market: access to capital and financing strategies.  

The conversation?  Candid.  Insightful.  Practical.

The networking?  Focused.  Engaged.  Productive.

This wasn’t surface-level discussion - it was real dialogue about the decisions shaping wineries and wine businesses right now. 

The Wine Business Group 

This is the Wine Business Group, run by AWG Wine Advisors and Women for WineSense. We are a collaborative network for anyone interested in wine business. Each quarter, we get together to discuss the latest industry trends, tackle emerging business topics, and build valuable connections.

 AWG Wine Advisors’ Next Event 

Welcome to AWG Wine Advisors' first Wine Business Seminar! We are expanding the format of our normal quarterly Wine Business Group Roundtable into a full-day seminar designed for wine industry professionals who want to dive deeper. This will be different from your average wine seminar, so come prepared to share your experiences, learn from others, and hear from some renowned wine industry veterans.

We have some surprises in the works, so keep an eye out for more details coming soon!

In the meantime, sign up for free below to join the priority list, which will give the first 50 respondents early access to registration for the seminar, to ensure that you are able to secure your seat, as we do have limited availability.  Priority access will receive at least a 24-hour head start to sign up for the seminar before registration opens to the public.

MAY 21, 2026  |  8:30 - 5:00  |  THE FLAMINGO, SANTA ROSA  |  7 CPE CREDITS

Limited to the first 50 respondents.  Registration will open to this list first.

YOU'RE INVITED!

Wine Business Group Roundtable

This month, join AWG Wine Advisors and Women for WineSense at Emeritus Vineyards to enjoy complimentary wine, snack on hors d'oeuvres, discuss trending industry topics, network, and hear from this meeting's guest speaker, Jeff Clark!

WHEN:

February 19th

4 - 6pm

WHERE:

Emeritus Vineyards

Sebastopol, CA

MEET THE SPEAKER

Jeff Clark is a commercial and private banking veteran with extensive lending experience to the wine/beer/spirits industry nationwide, ranging from small, family operations to publicly traded companies.  His company, Bear Republic Capital, provides debt and equity sources from a broad network of providers.  As a speaker, Jeff has presented at various organizations, including CalCPA, the American Craft Spirits Association, and the Craft Beverage Expo. 

SAVE THE DATE

Wine Business Group Roundtable

It's that time again!  Please join AWG Wine Advisors and Women for WineSense for our next Wine Business Group Roundtable.  Date and time below with more details coming soon!

Thursday, February 19, 2026

4 - 6 PM

Venue and speaker TBA

Winery Performance Audit

What is it?

A comprehensive review of your winery's financial operations, efficiency, and compliance - with actionable recommendations tailored to you.

Could my winery benefit?

Short answer - yes!  Every winery has hidden problems that inhibit effective business management and growth.  We can help you locate and resolve them so you can get back to doing what you do best.

You could benefit from an audit if you are a winery that:

• wants operational clarity
  
• has incorrect or incomplete COGS
• has inventory that doesn't tie out
• has TTB reporting inconsistencies
• is preparing for year-end
• has a chart of accounts inherited from past bookkeepers
• is getting ready for tax season
• is growing and needs more structure

Flat Cost: $1,000

No hourly billing.  No hidden fees.

What's Included:

• Financial ops review
• COGS & costing analysis
• Inventory & production workflow diagnostic
• Compliance check
• Labor allocation review
• Risk & inefficiency identification

What You Receive: 

• A written audit report
• Prioritized action plan
• 30-minute walkthrough call
• Optional follow-up support

How do I sign up?

The first step in the process is a quick, free consult.  Email tallen@awgwine.com to get started!

Batton Down the Hatches: It's a Shock Market for Vineyards Without Contracts

AWG Wine Advisors and Women for WineSense:

November's Wine Business Group Roundtable

Last week, AWG Wine Advisors and Women for WineSense put on another successful Wine Business Group Roundtable.  Hosted by PEJU Winery near rows of freshly harvested vines, a group of forty-or-so wine industry enthusiasts gathered around to enjoy complimentary bites, drinks, and a Q&A run by our guest speaker, Mario Zepponi.

Welcome to the Wine Business Group (formerly the Wine Financial Group)!  We are a collaborative network for anyone interested in Wine Business, no matter how long you've been in the industry.  Each quarter, we get together to discuss the latest industry trends, tackle emerging business topics, and build valuable connections.  

Email sdengler@awgwine.com to subscribe and receive announcements about future WBG events!

MEET AWG WINE ADVISORS.

Need help with bookkeeping?  Wine compliance?  Financial statements?  Taxes?  AWG Wine Advisors is the competitive advantage your winery has been waiting for.

FULL-SERVICE ACCOUNTING

Bookkeeping, Accounting, Controller & CFO

We provide a complete, start-to-finish system of financial management, including meticulous record-keeping, analysis of accounting, progressing to the oversight of the controller, and finally to the strategic leadership of the CFO.

 WINE COMPLIANCE

 TTB, ABC, 49 STATES,               INTERNATIONAL

 We offer compliance services to existing      and new businesses, helping to obtain all    necessary licensing and permits as well as  maintain ongoing reporting. 

ATTEST

Audit, Review, Compilation, and CPA-Prepared Financial Statements

AWG provides all levels of attest services and reporting for banks, shareholders, or any purpose, more efficiently and effectively than a general all-industries CPA firm. 

 INCOME TAX

 Our tax professionals specialize in         providing a range of tax and financial         services, including tax preparation and         filing, tax planning and strategy,         representation before the taxing     authorities, as well as other supporting     services. 

SPECIAL PROJECTS

We can perform unique or non-recurring project work for you and your wine business, including IT systems implementation/migration, sourcing new capital, audit preparation, forensic accounting, and more. 

WINE INDUSTRY CPE PRESENTS:

NOVEMBER WINE BUSINESS CPE CLASS

What: Winery Budget & Forecast

When: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | 8 AM - 1 PM PST

Where: AWG Santa Rosa Office or Online

Speaker: Timothy Allen, CPA, MS Taxation & Principal of AWG Wine Advisors 

Credits Earnable: 5 Hours of AICPA CPE

We invite you to deepen and expand your knowledge of wine industry finance, accounting, and best practices by attending one of our educational courses. Explore our current and upcoming offerings to make new industry connections, learn about the latest value-added processes and procedures, and acquire the tools and knowledge necessary for success.

• This education series is designed for professionals at ALL LEVELS, from newcomers to the wine industry to seasoned executives. Whether you’re a winery accountant aiming for your next promotion, an experienced CFO looking to benchmark your expertise, or a banker, attorney, or CPA seeking deeper industry insights, this series provides valuable knowledge tailored to your needs.
• Covering every aspect of the wine business – including production, sales and marketing, finance, and administration – the series offers a comprehensive understanding of winery operations.
• Participants are eligible to earn 5 AICPA CPE credits in accordance with NASBA rules and regulations.

This series is developed and led by Timothy Allen, CPA, MS in Taxation. As the principal of AWG Wine Advisors (formerly Allen Wine Group), Timothy brings over thirty years of winery finance expertise, including five years with a Big 4 accounting firm, fourteen years in winery finance and operations, and sixteen years managing AWG Wine Advisors.

All classes are taught in person at AWG offices at: 120 Stony Point Road, Suite 230, Santa Rosa, CA.

All classes are also available online via Zoom.

This class, part 3 in the series, will cover budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, short-term vs. long-term, software vs. Excel spreadsheet, and hands-on examples and templates to take home.

Meet the Instructor: Timothy Allen

This series is developed and led by Timothy Allen, CPA, MS Taxation.  As the principal of AWG Wine Advisors, Timothy brings over thirty years of winery finance expertise, including five years with a Big 4 accounting firm, fourteen years in winery finance & operations, and sixteen years managing AWG Wine Advisors. 

WINE INDUSTRY CPE PRESENTS:

OCTOBER WINE BUSINESS CPE CLASS

What: Wine Inventory Cost Accounting

When: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 | 8 AM - 1 PM PST

Where: AWG Santa Rosa Office or Online

Speaker: Timothy Allen, CPA, MS Taxation & Principal of AWG Wine Advisors

Credits Earnable: 5 Hours of AICPA CPE

We invite you to deepen and expand your knowledge of wine industry finance, accounting, and best practices by attending one of our educational courses. Explore our current and upcoming offerings to make new industry connections, learn about the latest value-added processes and procedures, and acquire the tools and knowledge necessary for success.

• This education series is designed for professionals at ALL LEVELS, from newcomers to the wine industry to seasoned executives. Whether you’re a winery accountant aiming for your next promotion, an experienced CFO looking to benchmark your expertise, or a banker, attorney, or CPA seeking deeper industry insights, this series provides valuable knowledge tailored to your needs.
• Covering every aspect of the wine business – including production, sales and marketing, finance, and administration – the series offers a comprehensive understanding of winery operations.
• Participants are eligible to earn 5 AICPA CPE credits in accordance with NASBA rules and regulations.

This series is developed and led by Timothy Allen, CPA, MS in Taxation. As the principal of AWG Wine Advisors (formerly Allen Wine Group), Timothy brings over thirty years of winery finance expertise, including five years with a Big 4 accounting firm, fourteen years in winery finance and operations, and sixteen years managing AWG Wine Advisors.

All classes are taught in person at AWG offices at: 120 Stony Point Road, Suite 230, Santa Rosa, CA.

All classes are also available online via Zoom.

This class, part 2 in the series, will cover different cost accounting methods, chart of accounts, bulk wine rollforward vs. standard cost accounting, and hands-on walkthroughs of cost accounting examples.

Meet the Instructor: Timothy Allen

This series is developed and led by Timothy Allen, CPA, MS Taxation.  As the principal of AWG Wine Advisors, Timothy brings over thirty years of winery finance expertise, including five years with a Big 4 accounting firm, fourteen years in winery finance & operations, and sixteen years managing AWG Wine Advisors.

WINE INDUSTRY CPE PRESENTS:

AUGUST WINE BUSINESS CPE CLASS

What: Wine Business: Vineyard, Winery, Sales & Marketing

When: Tuesday, August 19, 2025 | 8 AM - 1 PM PST

Where: AWG Santa Rosa Office or Online

Speaker: Timothy Allen, CPA, MS Taxation, & Principal of AWG Wine Advisors

Credits Earnable: 5 Hours of AICPA CPE

We invite you to deepen and expand your knowledge of wine industry finance, accounting, and best practices by attending one of our educational courses. Explore our current and upcoming offerings to make new industry connections, learn about the latest value-added processes and procedures, and acquire the tools and knowledge necessary for success.

• This education series is designed for professionals at ALL LEVELS, from newcomers to the wine industry to seasoned executives. Whether you’re a winery accountant aiming for your next promotion, an experienced CFO looking to benchmark your expertise, or a banker, attorney, or CPA seeking deeper industry insights, this series provides valuable knowledge tailored to your needs.
• Covering every aspect of the wine business – including production, sales and marketing, finance, and administration – the series offers a comprehensive understanding of winery operations.
• Participants are eligible to earn 5 AICPA CPE credits in accordance with NASBA rules and regulations.

This series is developed and led by Timothy Allen, CPA, MS in Taxation. As the principal of AWG Wine Advisors (formerly Allen Wine Group), Timothy brings over thirty years of winery finance expertise, including five years with a Big 4 accounting firm, fourteen years in winery finance and operations, and sixteen years managing AWG Wine Advisors.

All classes are taught in person at AWG offices at: 120 Stony Point Road, Suite 230, Santa Rosa, CA.

All classes are also available online via Zoom.

This specific class, part 1A in the series, will cover all aspects of the wine business excluding accounting & finance, from the vineyard through production and even through sales & marketing, including what happens in each department day-by-day.

You will learn the definitions of common terms and acronyms for each department, and how each department impacts accounting & finance. Also, there will be short interviews with a vineyard manager, winemaker, and sales professional along with some time for Q&A.

This class will not go into detail about the Accounting & Finance department; that will be class 1B. This class will not go into detail about inventory cost accounting; that will be class 2. Instead, this class is intended to teach wine industry accountants about the departments they may not be involved in as much.

Meet the Instructor: Timothy Allen

This series is developed and led by Timothy Allen, CPA, MS Taxation.  As the principal of AWG Wine Advisors, Timothy brings over thirty years of winery finance expertise, including five years with a Big 4 accounting firm, fourteen years in winery finance & operations, and sixteen years managing AWG Wine Advisors. 

WINE INDUSTRY CPE PRESENTS:

SEPTEMBER WINE BUSINESS CPE CLASS

What: Wine Business: Finance & Administration

When: Tuesday, September 16, 2025 | 8 AM - 1 PM PST

Where: AWG Santa Rosa Office or Online

Speaker: Timothy Allen, CPA, MS Taxation & Principal of AWG Wine Advisors

Credits Earnable: 5 Hours of AICPA CPE

We invite you to deepen and expand your knowledge of wine industry finance, accounting, and best practices by attending one of our educational courses. Explore our current and upcoming offerings to make new industry connections, learn about the latest value-added processes and procedures, and acquire the tools and knowledge necessary for success.

• This education series is designed for professionals at ALL LEVELS, from newcomers to the wine industry to seasoned executives. Whether you’re a winery accountant aiming for your next promotion, an experienced CFO looking to benchmark your expertise, or a banker, attorney, or CPA seeking deeper industry insights, this series provides valuable knowledge tailored to your needs.
• Covering every aspect of the wine business – including production, sales and marketing, finance, and administration – the series offers a comprehensive understanding of winery operations.
• Participants are eligible to earn 5 AICPA CPE credits in accordance with NASBA rules and regulations.

This series is developed and led by Timothy Allen, CPA, MS in Taxation. As the principal of AWG Wine Advisors (formerly Allen Wine Group), Timothy brings over thirty years of winery finance expertise, including five years with a Big 4 accounting firm, fourteen years in winery finance and operations, and sixteen years managing AWG Wine Advisors.

All classes are taught in person at AWG offices at: 120 Stony Point Road, Suite 230, Santa Rosa, CA.

All classes are also available online via Zoom.

This class, part 1B in the series, will detail the job of the winery controller & CFO, including best practices, accounting, financial reporting, finance, and mergers & acquisitions.

Meet the Instructor: Timothy Allen

This series is developed and led by Timothy Allen, CPA, MS Taxation.  As the principal of AWG Wine Advisors, Timothy brings over thirty years of winery finance expertise, including five years with a Big 4 accounting firm, fourteen years in winery finance & operations, and sixteen years managing AWG Wine Advisors.

PLATFORM UNCORKS NEW OPPORTUNITIES

AWG Wine Advisors (formerly Allen Wine Group) Acquired by Platform Accounting Group

Santa Rosa, August 5, 2025 - Platform Accounting Group announced a northern California-based firm has joined its group.  AWG Wine Advisors, formerly Allen Wine Group, is based in Santa Rosa and expands Platform’s business accounting services to the wine industry.

AWG Wine Advisors

AWG Wine Advisors is a mid-size firm that provides the full spectrum of accounting, bookkeeping, tax planning, and preparation services with a focus on the wine industry.  It also offers full-service, outsourced controller or fractional CFO services, along with managing wine inventory and bulk wine cost accounting.

Their team has decades of experience in the business and finance of wineries and offers an extensive and unique array of services, along with the ability to deliver innovative and creative solutions to meet their clients’ needs.

Platform Accounting Group

Platform Accounting Group has more than doubled its size every year over the last 10 years, has nearly 1,000 employees across 16 states, and has a market-leading low turnover rate.  While employees still enjoy the benefits of being part of a local firm embedded in a community, they gain access to a much broader range of growth opportunities and resources.  Platform is continually building out an ecosystem to provide collaborative, best-in-class professional services from tax to wealth management, ERP consulting, business accounting services and more.

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More About Platform

Platform is a next-gen accounting and professional services group created in 2015 to preserve what’s great about boutique professional services firms while helping them support their people, productivity, and processes.

Tony CorreiaAt this quarter's Wine Financial Group roundtable, we are excited to announce that our speaker will be Tony Correia, who will be speaking on Art, Literature, and Economics (anything except the Vineyard markets).

Recently recognized as one of four top leaders in the wine industry, Tony Correia is widely known as a leading authority on the valuation of vineyards, wineries, and other properties. He also has been a frequent speaker/instructor on agricultural properties, valuation, taxation, estate planning issues, water rights, wine industry, and vineyard and winery markets, and now is the Principal and Owner of The Correia Company.

Come ready to make valuable new connections and have lively conversation about the latest industry trends and emerging financial topics!

Wine and hor d'oeuvres will be provided. Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, August 20 · 4 - 6pm PDT

RSVP

Please join AWG Wine Advisors (formerly Allen Wine Group) and Women for WineSense for our next Wine Financial Group Roundtable!

We are excited to welcome this meeting's speaker, Tony Correia, who will be speaking on Art, Literature, and Economics (anything but the vineyard markets).

Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be provided.

WHAT: Wine Financial Group Roundtable

WHERE: Benovia Winery, Santa Rosa, CA

WHEN: Wednesday, August 20^th, 2025 | 4 PM - 6 PM

SPEAKER: Tony Correia

Our Speaker: Tony Correia

Recently recognized as one of four top leaders in the wine industry, Tony Correia is widely known as a leading authority on the valuation of vineyards, wineries, and other properties.  He also has been a frequent speaker/instructor on agricultural properties, valuation, taxation, estate planning issues, water rights, wine industry, and vineyard and winery markets, and now is the Principal and Owner of The Correia Company.

With more than 15 years of financial acumen housed in a team of 20 professionals that includes seven licensed CPA’s steeped in wine industry know-how, the Allen Wine Group (AWG) is the premiere CPA firm poised to take the global wine business to the next level.

“We work in only one industry: wine,” confirms founder and managing partner Timothy Allen. “Most of our employees worked at a winery before coming to AWG, which gives us the rare experience of being on both sides of the desk. That unique understanding allows us to give our customers exactly what they need to succeed.”

In addition to providing a complete financial management package, AWG prides itself on working with its clients to create customized solutions in order to ensure their profitability and success.

“Our winery clients become more profitable when they work with us than they were before, even with our cost factored in,” notes Allen. “One significant area of our expertise is strategic planning and financial forecasting. These are the tools that allow us to help our customers create profitability and cash flow.”

AWG is laser-focused on client advocacy.

When a client’s business is facing an audit or financial performance review, AWG steps in as a liaison to make the process as smooth as possible.

Additionally, the company regularly participates in Boards of Directors and Shareholders meetings to speak actively on behalf of management in support of current and future strategic plans.

AWG provides treasury management services, including debt and interest rate management, and is also active in providing support work for mergers, acquisitions and divestitures for its clients.

As Allen points out, “If you want to sell, we’ll help you get the highest value. If you want to buy, we’ll perform the analyses that can prove the decision.”

As technological breakthroughs continue to have an impact on overall business efficacy, AWG is steeped in the latest IT advances and systems that are geared toward the unique world of wine industry finance and accounting.

“We work with fifty wine clients now; we’ve worked with hundreds in our fifteen year history,” asserts Allen. “We seek and continue to implement new and better best practices constantly."

“Our mission is to help our clients do better financially and organizationally so they can get what they need to be successful in an extremely competitive market.”

For more information and to contact the Allen Wine Group, go to https://allenwine.com.

Please join Allen Wine Group and Women for WineSense for our next Wine Financial Group Roundtable, Wednesday, August 20^th, from 4 PM - 6 PM.

We are excited to announce our speaker for this meeting, Tony Correia, who will be speaking on Art, Literature, and Economics (anything except the Vineyard markets).

More details to come, along with RSVP information.

We hope to see you there!

Last-Minute Date Change!  There's Still Time to Sign Up for this Upcoming For-Credit Wine CPE Class, now July 10th!

Upcoming CPE Class from Allen Wine Group

What: Winery Financial Budget & Forecast

When: Thursday, July 10, 2025 | 8 AM - 12 PM PST

Where: AWG Santa Rosa Office or Online

Speaker: Timothy Allen, CPA, MS Taxation, & Managing Partner of AWG

Credits Earnable: 4 Hours of AICPA CPE

Please join Allen Wine Group for our next CPE class on Winery Financial Budget & Forecast.  This course will focus specifically on the following:

• Budgeting

• Forecasting

• Cash Flow, including seasonality

• Short-term vs. Long-term

• Software vs. Excel Spreadsheet

In this class covering all aspects of winery financial budget and forecasting, you will learn how to successfully anticipate future revenues, profitability, and cash need.  Participants are also eligible to earn 4 hours AICPA CPE credits in accordance with NASBA rules and regulations.

This series is developed and led by Timothy Allen, CPA, MS Taxation.  As the managing partner of Allen Wine Group, Timothy brings over thirty years of winery finance expertise, including five years with a Big 4 accounting firm, fourteen years in winery finance & operations, and sixteen years managing Allen Wine Group.

For more information, check out the event on Eventbrite, our website, or email samantha@allenwine.com.