Wine Business Seminar SERIOUS CONVERSATIONS.  ENGAGED PARTICIPATION.  MEANINGFUL CONNECTION. Not your average wine conference.  An engaging, interactive, full-day seminar addressing real-world industry challenges through candid discussion and structured networking, alongside traditional presentation from top industry leaders and veterans.  MAY 21, 2026  |  THE FLAMINGO, SANTA ROSA  |  7 CPE CREDITS  Real industry insight.  Real conversation.  Real connection.  The AWG Wine Business Seminar moves beyond passive panels and surface-level discussion.  Throughout the day, attendees will engage directly with speakers and peers through presentations, guided discussion, and networking. SALES & MARKETING  |  MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS GENERATIONAL SHIFTS IN DEMAND  |  SYSTEMS & IT GUIDED TASTING LED BY A MASTER OF WINE STRUCTURED NETWORKING  |  ROUNDTABLE HAPPY HOUR Meet

At Alexander Valley Winegrowers, community is everything. From educational programs and grower advocacy to signature events like TASTE Alexander Valley and Wine Week, none of it happens in a vacuum. It happens because of partnership. It happens because businesses across Sonoma County believe in the strength, stewardship, and future of Alexander Valley. Today, we want to publicly and wholeheartedly thank our 2026 Annual Sponsors. Strong Partnerships Build a Stronger Alexander Valley When people think about wine country, they often picture vineyards and tasting rooms. What they don’t always see is the network behind the scenes — the agricultural lenders, insurance partners, hospitality leaders, local chambers, and community businesses that help power our region. Because of these partnerships, AVW is able to: Host valley-wide events that drive tourism and economic vitality Provide marketing and promotional support to our winery members Support educational programming for

The word “brand” is notoriously difficult to define in marketing. If we were talking about a ranch brand—the kind seared onto livestock to signify ownership—that’s easy to understand. But in marketing, a brand is not a physical thing. It’s a symbolic construct. It’s not the label on the bottle or the winery’s logo or even the product itself. Rather, it’s the entire perception a consumer holds in their mind about your company, your wine, your people, and everything you collectively represent. A brand is a conceptual identity that differentiates you from your competitors. It can be shaped by your name, your origin story, the design of your label, the personalities involved in your winery, your tasting room experience, your packaging, your email tone, your partnerships, or even how you respond to a customer complaint. All these elements come together to form the intangible yet powerful idea of your brand. It is, quite literally, eve

WHY DEMOGRAPHICS STILL MATTER IN WINE At first glance, it may seem logical to take a broad approach to wine marketing—after all, shouldn’t the goal be to sell wine to anyone who’s willing to buy it? Not exactly. In practice, marketing to “everyone” is a fast track to appealing to no one. You water down your message, misfire your tactics, and wind up wasting both budget and energy trying to reach people who were never going to buy from you in the first place. Smart marketing is selective, not scattershot. And that’s where demographics come in. At their core, demographics are just the quantifiable details about your customers—things like age, gender, income, education, and marital status. But in the hands of a capable marketer, demographics become strategic tools. They help decode how different consumers make decisions, what cultural cues they respond to, and how best to approach them with offers they’ll actually care about. Wine, with all

In this WIN Insider Series episode, George interviews Adam Bird, Director of Strategy and Partner at Deksia and Highway 29 Creative, about navigating marketing challenges in today’s wine industry. Adam draws on extensive experience across multiple marketing sectors to share strategic insights on evolving consumer behaviors and what it takes to adapt and grow in a shifting marketplace. The conversation covers critical topics including the importance of authenticity in wine marketing, how regional and generational differences shape strategy, the challenge of engaging younger consumers, and what the future of wine marketing looks like. Whether you’re a winery owner, marketer, or industry professional, Adam’s candid insights offer practical guidance for positioning your brand in an increasingly competitive landscape. Watch to learn how successful wine brands are staying culturally relevant while building long-term customer loyalty. You can also hear more from Adam at the

Joel Peterson, Executive Director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, shares his journey into the wine industry and discusses what makes Paso Robles unique as both a wine destination and recognized brand. Joel explains how the Alliance collaborates with growers, vintners, and tourism organizations to maximize marketing impact while avoiding duplication of efforts, promoting the region to both consumers and wine buyers. The conversation covers current industry challenges including shifting demographics, economic pressures, and generational transitions, while highlighting innovative efforts to attract younger consumers and broaden wine accessibility. Joel discusses popular Alliance events like Paso Wine Fest and BlendFest on the Coast, plus the growing appeal of areas like Tin City that foster younger, innovative winemakers. He also previews his upcoming role moderating a panel on vineyard-focused marketing strategies at the North Coast Wine Industry Expo. Learn More About the Pa

Your Current Marketing Won't Work for Younger Wine Drinkers The generational shift in wine consumption is happening faster than most wineries are prepared to handle. According to Wine Intelligence's US Wine Consumer Trends 2025 report, millennials will surpass baby boomers as the largest wine-consuming demographic by value this year. Meanwhile, the oldest members of Gen Z (born 1997-2012) are now turning 28 and developing their own distinctive wine preferences. The problem? Most wineries continue marketing as if their primary audience is still over 55. The messaging, channels, and tactics that worked for boomers actively repel younger buyers. Let's examine what actually works when marketing to these crucial demographics. What Younger Wine Consumers Actually Want Millennial Wine Drinkers (Ages 29-44) Millennials approach wine fundamentally differently than their parents: What They Value: Transparency about production methods and ingredients Sustainable and ethical busines

Winery Sales & Marketing Strategies That Resonate Across Generations The wine consumer landscape is shifting at a rapid pace. Younger generations are redefining how wine fits into their lives—seeing it less as a tradition and more as an extension of identity, experience, and occasion. For wineries, the challenge is balancing authenticity and heritage while adapting to new expectations, platforms, and buying behaviors. Success now depends on crafting brand stories that resonate across diverse audiences and evolving channels, without losing the timeless qualities that make wine unique. At this year’s WIN Expo, the Sales & Marketing conference sessions are designed to tackle these exact challenges. From building brands that withstand generational shifts, to connecting with modern consumers through influence and storytelling, to revitalizing programs that engage younger audiences while retaining loyal customers, these conversations will equip attendees with the tools

Loyalty, Deconstructed: Small Moments, Big Retention What actually makes members stick? In Session 4, Jason Curtis sits down with industry veteran Brian Baker to break down loyalty into practical, repeatable steps you can deploy without requiring bigger discounts or heavy lifting. In this replay, you’ll learn: Story by generation: Gen Z (values & moments), Millennials (experiences), Gen X (clarity), Boomers (legacy). Micro-exclusivity that scales: tiny lots, off-menu pours, member-only moments that feel special. Personalization beyond the name: preferences, simple “your year in wine” recaps, timely outreach. Surprise & delight: thoughtful unboxing layers, quick QR thank-you videos, occasional “upgrade” moments. Hospitality that converts: use the 80/20 guest-talk ratio and a 3-second pause to show you’re listening. Community & values: partner events, cause alignment, and easy member micro-communities. “Aim small, miss small. Start l

In the ever-evolving world of wine, tasting rooms have long been sacred spaces for sampling vintages and educating consumers about winemaking. But recently, the definition of what belongs in a tasting room has expanded beyond the conventional pour. Enter the world of alternative beverages—non-alcoholic wines, wine-based cocktails like Frosé, and low-alcohol spritzers. These trends are carving out significant space, appealing to younger generations, health-conscious consumers, and a broader range of visitors. The rise of alternative beverages in tasting rooms isn’t just a fleeting fad—it’s a response to shifting consumer preferences and lifestyle trends. The adaptability of tasting rooms to these new offerings is a testament to the industry’s resilience. The question now isn’t whether tasting rooms should adapt, but how they can complement the core identity of wine while capturing the attention of a broader audience. Changing Consumer Preferen