Founder Jim Bernau believes among the healthiest forms of business are those owned by the community. Thus, Willamette Valley Vineyards became the first community-funded business in the nation by obtaining permission from the Securities and Exchange Commission in 1988, resulting in a growing fabric of laws allowing community-based funding for small businesses. Jim's vision of organizing the support of wine enthusiasts to make world-class wines through shared ownership has resulted in more than 19,000 Owners. The winery's Common (WVVI) and Preferred (WVVIP) stock are traded on the NASDAQ.
Benefits of Preferred Stock Ownership
As an Owner, we encourage you to take advantage of the many benefits of Ownership.
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Owners are a vital part of telling the Oregon wine story. Below are a few projects Owners are helping bring to fruition.
Bernau Estate will produce world-class méthode champenoise sparkling wines with an underground aging cellar and biodynamically-farmed vineyard. The winery features sustainable farming practices that create a balanced ecosystem generating healthy soil and elegant wines. The winery will offer Oregon-inspired hospitality with wine and food pairings, stunning views, educational tours and beautiful gardens for you to explore.
Anticipated opening: 2022.
Willamette Wineworks®, a microwinery located in the Roundhouse building in revitalized Historic Folsom, California features food and wine pairings and a unique Barrel Blending System allowing you to create your own wine blends. Founder Jim Bernau’s family in Folsom helped bring Willamette Wineworks to life and enabled us to take the Oregon wine story on the road.
Folsom’s winemaking history dates back to the mid-1800s with the planting of Natoma Vineyard. In the early 1900s, this vineyard boasted 2,000 acres as one of the largest vineyards in the nation, but when gold was discovered on the property, the vines were replaced with dredgers. It is our dream to reestablish Natoma as a celebrated wine brand in California.
We purchased 36 acres in the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater AVA and have planted 15 acres of Syrah, Grenache and Viognier to produce our Maison Bleue wines. Maison Bleue is dedicated to the production of terroir-driven wines from The Rocks District with a focus on Rhône varietals. The vineyard sits along Highway 11 and Sunnyside Road, the entrance to the appellation. It is also on the direct path to Pambrun Vineyard, which sits in the SeVein on the north slope high above the Rocks.
Wines may be purchased online or in the Walla Walla Tasting Room located at 20 N. 2nd Avenue, Walla Walla, WA 99362.
We have planted our vineyard of 19 acres alongside those Cabernet Sauvignon visionaries at SeVein. Located on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valley, SeVein is a collection of some of the highest quality vineyard land in the world anchored by the renowned Seven Hills Vineyard. Named in honor of Pierre Pambrun, Walla Walla’s first citizen who led the Hudson’s Bay trading post and was Founder Jim Bernau's fourth great-grandfather. In April 2018, we released the inaugural 2015 vintages of Pambrun Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chrysologue (a red blend).
Wines may be purchased online or in the Walla Walla Tasting Room located at 20 N. 2nd Avenue, Walla Walla, WA 99362.
Dick and Betty O’Brien planted Elton Vineyard in 1983 and spent their lives growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Eola Hills south of Dundee. It was named one of Oregon’s top ten vineyards by Wine Press Northwest and in Wine & Spirits as one of the five key vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. They have enjoyed providing their winegrapes to some of Oregon's most talented winemakers over the years, including Isabelle Meunier. Between Isabelle's first Oregon vintage in 2007 through the 2015 vintage, only 22 Oregon wines were awarded a score of 95 points or more by Wine Spectator. Isabelle produced 11 of those wines. Associate Winemaker Gabi Prefontaine has worked alongside Isabelle to now lead the Elton wines.
Elton focuses on small lots of premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay starting with the 2015 vintage. Wines may be purchased online or by attending a signature event, like the annual Garden Party held in the O'Brien Garden.
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