From the vineyard to the bottle, every step of winemaking is built on passion, patience, and care. At Heffernan Insurance Brokers, we’re proud to protect that hard work. With over 25 years of experience insuring more than 125 wineries, we craft customized coverage that meets the unique needs of vintners and growers, because every winery has its own story.

In the wine industry, your employees are at the heart of everything—from the vineyard to the cellar to the tasting room. Protecting them means protecting your business. Workers’ compensation can be complex, but with Brandt Insurance as your partner, you’ll have guidance, advocacy, and access to the most competitive coverage available. Benefits of having Brand Insurance Represent you  Claims If one of your employees suffers an injury on the job, as your broker, we will provide immediate advice and guide you through the process.  We work with the claims adjusters to ensure the claim is handled quickly and appropriately. Safety Services We offer safety services and consultations in preventing workplace accidents.  Claims Reserving We are also the intermediary between the employer and the insurance carrier to prevent misunderstandings that can lead to over-receiving of a claim.  X-Mod Review We review experience modifications (X-Mods) for employers. W

Thursday, April 24, 9:00-10:00am, Via Zoom Gain valuable insights into winery insurance during our SCV Winery Insurance Roundtable, where Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) and our trusted partners at Risk Strategies will lead an informative and solution-driven discussion via Zoom.  Hear from top industry insurance carriers as the Risk Strategies team leads an important panel discussion. This interactive webinar will offer the opportunity to hear directly from U.S. and London leading insurers, ask questions, and gain valuable insights into the evolving winery insurance landscape. The panel will discuss key coverage challenges, market trends, and tailored programs designed to protect your winery’s future. Participants are encouraged to bring their questions to ask directly to the insurance carrier representatives. Risk Strategies brings deep expertise in winery-specific insurance solutions, risk management, and consulting services tailored to the unique needs of wineries, related b

When it comes to buying or selling land, especially in the wine industry, it's crucial to ensure that property boundaries are clearly defined. One of the most important tools for achieving this is an ALTA/NSPS survey - an industry standard for real estate transactions.  Ray Carlson & Associates specializes in provided detailed ALTA surveys for wineries, vineyards and other wine industry properties. Understanding what an ALTA survey entails and why it's important can help ensure that your property transactions proceed smoothly.  What is an ALTA Survey?  An ALTA/NSPS survey is a type of land survey that adheres to specific standards set by the American Land Title Association (ALTA) and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). These surveys are typically required for real estate transactions, particularly those involving title insurance. They provide a detailed report of the property's boundaries, improvements, easements, and any oth

When cyber and D&O insurance premiums soared, businesses may have felt it necessary to reduce coverage. Now, rates have declined, so it may be a good time to “top off” your cyber and D&O limits – especially because, unlike premiums, risks are not falling. Cyber and D&O Premium Trends Both cyber and D&O insurance have seen substantial swings in recent years. Cyber insurance premiums skyrocketed between 2020 and 2022. According to CIAB, rates were up 34.3% in the fourth quarter of 2021. After that, rate hikes began to moderate, although double-digit increases were still the norm for a while. By the second half of 2023, rate hikes were only up 3.6%. In the second quarter of 2024, CIAB says rates were actually down 1.7%. D&O insurance has shown a similar pattern. Rate increases started to climb around 2019 and 2020. CIAB says D&O insurance rates were up 16.8% in the second quarter of 2020 and 16.1% in the third quarter. However, the hard market di

Heffernan Insurance Brokers show the fully equipped, customizable WASP trailers with tools critical to protect your property from wildfire in 2024. To schedule a private demo, text WASP DEMO to (707) 789-3062 and Ember Defense will bring the trailer to your property!

Expert Editorial: Reporting Dispute Claims Within Closely Held Wineries

Disputes fermenting between winery shareholders may not be governed by fiduciary duties but could be covered by insurance. By Amy Briggs and Hilary Krause Many wineries operate as closely held […]

Winery Risk Management: Combining Technology and Professional Expertise to Protect Operations (Expert Editorial)

Winery owners who want to be sure their business is protected well into the future would be wise to invest in risk management.  By Larry Chasin Wineries navigate critical risks […]

From freezing temperatures, record-breaking highs, and smoke taint becoming more common, it is more important than ever to protect your crops from the next disaster. Join George Petersen Insurance for an informational presentation on the coverages available to farmers through the federal crop insurance program.  Hear from NAU Country’s Western Branch Claims Manager, Matt Barr about information on recent claims in the area. Learn about covered perils and the claims adjustment process. Elisabeth Quick, Producer at George Petersen Insurance Agency will give an overview of how coverage election options intersect with the USDA/FSA subsidy. Find a location near you, and register today... Sonoma County Wednesday, January 11th - 10am to 12pm George Petersen Insurance - Santa Rosa 175 W. College Ave, Santa Rosa, Ca Mendocino County Tuesday, January 10th - 9am to 11am Mendocino County Farm Bureau - Board Room 303-C Talmage Road, Ukiah, Ca Click here to Register Today

Understand what moves the needle for insurance companies and concrete actions you can take to reduce your winery’s wildfire risk, increase wildfire resilience, and manage your overall risk. This webinar will provide an update on the marketplace with wildfire best practices from the Heffernan Wine Team and will feature Peter Michael Winery. Stuart Bockman, GM of Peter Michael Winery in Calistoga, will share their new wildfire mitigation protocols and how that has enabled them to procure Insurance amidst an insurance crisis.