Sonoma County Winegrowers Reorganizes to Scale Proven Collaborations and Unlock National Growth Opportunities  At its annual Dollars & $ense meeting today, themed, “The Next Chapter: Elevating What Works and Expanding What’s Possible,” Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW) announced a strategic reorganization and renewed organizational focus to build demand, expand partnerships, and increase sales of Sonoma County wines to support long-term grower success. The moves reflect a proactive response to an evolving marketplace and are designed to ensure Sonoma County remains competitive, relevant, and well-positioned for future growth. Moving forward, Jennifer Dieckmann, currently Chief Operating Officer of Sonoma County Winegrowers, will assume the role of Executive Director and COO, leading the organization’s day-to-day operations, program execution, and team leadership, while maintaining operational excellence and strengthening grower and stakeholder engagement

Award Recognizes That Each Family Has Continuously Farmed Local Land for More Than 100 Years  Multiple generations of eleven longtime Sonoma County farming families, all winegrape growers today, gathered to be recognized as the newest members of the “Century Club.”  The honor recognizes families who have continuously farmed their family’s land for more than one hundred years. The 2025 recipients join twenty-two other local farming families who were recognized last year in the first class of the Century Club.  Sonoma County Winegrowers created the Century Club to mark the unique legacies of farm families in the region.  Each member family of the Century Club is a testament to the strength and adaptability required to farm.    “We are thrilled to welcome more families to the Century Club and to honor each new member today,” said Karissa Kruse, President and CEO of Sonoma County Winegrowers.  She added, “Farming is a

The California Department of Food & Agriculture has announced it has certified the votes on the referendum to continue the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, also known as the Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW), for another five years.  Garnering 85.77% percent of the vote, winegrape growers strongly supported continuation of the organization.  The Commission was established in 2006 and is required by California law to conduct a grower vote every five years to determine if they want to continue to be assessed to fund the organization.    “It is very gratifying to see the efforts of the Commission recognized and supported by the very people who fund it and make all the great work possible,” said Bret Munselle, chairman of the SCW board of directors and owner of Munselle Vineyards.  He added, “Through the assessment, the growers have been personally investing in promoting Sonoma County for nearly 20 years and with this vote, SCW will continue

76 Restaurants from across the country and Mexico receive inaugural ‘Magnum Award’  SANTA ROSA, Calif. (September 2, 2025) – Seventy-six restaurants spanning from Graton, California, to Greenwich, Connecticut, are being honored with the 2025 Sonoma County Magnum Award for their exceptional support and promotion of Sonoma County wines.  Earlier this year, Sonoma County Winegrowers launched this new initiative to recognize restaurants that demonstrate outstanding support for Sonoma County wines and showcasing Sonoma County as a world-class wine region. Each restaurant will receive a uniquely etched magnum bottle, symbolizing their role as an ambassador for Sonoma County’s farmers, winemakers, and wines. During the year, Sonoma County wineries submitted nominations of restaurants they felt were deserving of recognition. Input was also provided by partners, trade, and sommeliers from throughout the country. Restaurants were selected based on key crit

First-ever MLB wine club features a diverse selection of wines, further solidifying the Giants’ connection to wine country  The San Francisco Giants today announced the Giants Wine Club in partnership with Sonoma County Winegrowers. Now available, the membership-based program features a series of premium Sonoma County wines and is a celebration of the club’s rich history, Northern California wine country and the iconic grape varieties of Sonoma County. Giants Wine Club members will receive three releases each year, including six bottles from six different Sonoma County wineries, shipped in February, May and November. Memberships are available to California residents at Home Run or Grand Slam levels, differentiated by the grapes and wine pricing. Wine will be hand-selected by Giants and first-ever professional sports team Master Sommelier, Evan Goldstein – one of 279 Master Sommeliers worldwide who’s been voted twice into IntoWine.coms “Top 100 Most I

Immersive Camps Provides An All-Access Pass to Wine Country Sonoma County Winegrowers has just announced it is bringing back one of its most popular programs this fall when Grape Camp returns. This three-day immersion in all thing’s agriculture, wine and food in Sonoma County is an experience of a lifetime. From vineyard immersions led by growers to sommelier-led wine tastings to unforgettable farm to table gatherings, the camp allows participants to learn first-hand why Sonoma County is a wine and food mecca. “Grape Camp is much loved by past campers because it is true wine country immersion! The best part is getting to meet so many of our local family farmers and winemakers,” said Karissa Kruse, president and chief executive officer of the Sonoma County Winegrowers. She added, “We took a few years off, but we regularly received inquiries asking if Grape Camp was going to return, so we are thrilled to bring back this ‘bucket list’ experience for wi

Sonoma County Winegrowers Focus on Creating Experiences to Engage New and Existing Wine Lovers SANTA ROSA, Calif. (January 17, 2025) – For over a decade, Sonoma County Winegrowers has been at the forefront of innovation, forging powerful partnerships with iconic brands like John Deere, Ford Pro, Wilbur Ellis, Landry’s, and the San Francisco Giants. As unveiled at this week’s annual Dollars & $ense meeting, held virtually, 2025 marks a year dedicated to “Renewing, Building, and Growing” these renowned programs, expanding their reach, amplifying the Sonoma County story, and setting new benchmarks in excellence. As Karissa Kruse, president and chief executive officer of Sonoma County Winegrowers, started her presentation with a review of the past twelve years since she joined the organization, it was clear that the results in building the brand’s visibility over the years has been successful. From being world leaders in sustainability, to sports ma

Activations Will Bring Sonoma County Wines to One of California’s Fastest Growing Regions Building on its growing success in bringing world-class Sonoma County wines to new and divergent audiences, Sonoma County Winegrowers has announced it has agreed to become the official sponsor for Acrisure Arena and the Coachella Valley Firebirds.  “This is an exciting new opportunity to showcase and share our Sonoma County wines in a vibrant community with people who clearly love the arena and the team,” said Karissa Kruse, president and chief executive officer of the Sonoma County Winegrowers. She added, “Our focus is to reach new audiences in different settings to create memorable experiences and with this new partnership we will accomplish that in a big way in the Coachella Valley.” Acrisure Arena is a world-class entertainment venue strategically located in the Coachella Valley in Southern California within 90 miles of more than 8.5 million residents. Since

In this episode, George sits down with Karissa Kruse, President & CEO of Sonoma County Winegrowers, to explore her visionary leadership in the wine industry. Karissa shares the inspiration behind crafting a groundbreaking 100-year business plan and what sets Sonoma County grape growers apart from the rest. Karissa also reflects on her critical role during the pandemic, ensuring farm workers had access to vaccines—personally scheduling an incredible 6,000 appointments in just three months. She highlights her work founding the Vineyard Employee Recognition Program in 2018, which paved the way for the Leadership Academy. Recently, graduates of the program took their skills to Washington, D.C., thanks to a partnership with Alaska Airlines. A leader driven by action, Karissa lives by the mantra: “Pilot anything and everything, and if it doesn’t work, let’s learn, and if it does work, great, let’s scale it.” Tune in to be inspired by her innovative a

Each Family Has Continuously Farmed Land for More than 100 Years The image of vibrant farms and rugged ranches set among Sonoma County’s beautiful landscapes has long been sought after by tourists, painters and photographers. The sheer beauty has always stood out, but, given that the area’s first vineyards date back to 1812, it is the region’s agrarian roots and family legacy that makes Sonoma County unique. Today, twenty-two local families, all winegrape growers, were recognized as the original members of the “Century Club” in honor of their continuously farming their family’s original land for more than one hundred years. Sonoma County Winegrowers created the Century Club to mark the unique legacies of farm families in the region and it will recognize new families with the honor as they hit the one-hundred-year mark in the years ahead. Each of these farms – and the families behind them – have endured the ups and downs of the cyclical