Russian River Valley Winegrowers
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What it says it does
The Russian River Valley Winegrowers (RRVW) is a community of farmers and winemakers promoting the exceptional grapes and world-renowned wines reflective of the diversity within the Russian River Valley AVA.We are multi-generational stewards of our land and natural resources, continuously innovating sustainable practices for the future in our premier region known for its distinctive Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and other grape varieties.
- Income
- $262,312
- Spending
- $344,652
- Employees
- 1
- Highest pay
- $120,736, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $228,673 spent. Membership Engagement Activities April 24, 2024-Russian River Valley Technical Symposium @ Martin Ray Winery & VineyardsJesslyn Jackson, Executive Director, worked alongside new board member, Leslie Renaud, to create a one-day technical symposium for winemakers, growers, and principals to have one-on-one conversations about the previous vintage. The focus of this years technical symposium was Pinot Noir and was divided into three distinct sessions where wine brands were encouraged to bring barrel samples that had unique issues in the cellar. The cost was no charge to members and included coffee, breakfast, midday lunch break and a happy hour following the third session. Over 21 wine brands participated with 48 attendees in total. Costs were offset by sponsorship of Veritiv, Tonnellerie Tremeaux and Scott Laboratories. June 27, 2024-Russian River Valley Winegrowers Trivia Night @ DRNK WineryIn the interest of finding activities suited for both winegrowers and vintners, Russian River Valley Winegrowers hosted a friendly, but competitive, trivia night at one of our member properties, DRNK Winery in Sebastopol, with one of the categories focused on fun facts about Russian River Valley. Attendance topped around 27 people which was lower than anticipated, likely due to the close timing of the 4th of July holiday. July 14-16 2024-Continued support of independently managed Pinot ForumIn 2024, Russian River Valley Winegrowers continued to support the independently managed Pinot Forum, a trade-marketing program that brings 60 sommeliers from across the United States for a two-and-a-half-day immersive educational program about Pinot Noir in Russian River Valley. The event is managed by a rotating Board of Directors of participating winery brands. Executive Director, Jesslyn Jackson, has managed the ongoing relationship to bring a media representative, The Somm Journal, to the event since 2023. Additionally, RRVW has worked with the California Wine Institute to bring International representatives. This year, we had tenured wine journalist Jamie Goode attend, as well three representatives from Seoul, KR. RRVW helped to host Jamie Goode for an additional four night stay following the event to provide a deeper dive into the grape varieties outside of Pinot Noir. As a result of the sommelier attendance from Korea, RRVW was invited to host a one-day Pinot Forum program in December 2024 in Seoul. Evan Goldstein, Master Sommelier, hosted a master class featuring eight brands, followed by a walk-around tasting and lunch at the JW Marriott following a consumer event with the House of Shinsegae. July 19, 2024-Presenting Sponsorship of VIP Opening Night Reception of Gay Wine WeekendFor the second year in a row, Russian River Valley Winegrowers brought 15 wineries to support the opening night of Gay Wine Weekend (organized by Out in the Vineyard) which brings over 200+ consumers for a weekend of events to the Russian River Valley area, culminating in an auction to raise money for, Face to Face, a non-profit focused on providing comprehensive community healthcare resources. August 2-4-Russian River Valley Wine WeekendTo turn the annual Paule into a three-day event to draw more tourism to the area over a full weekend, RRVW created Russian River Valley Wine Weekend, combining elements of previous Russian River Valley events such as Grape to Glass. RRVW secured Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country as its partner hotel, San Francisco Magazine as its media partner, multiple large brand winery sponsors throughout the weekend, and worked with the experiential event agency Secret Supper to host the 10th annual Paule.RRVW formed an event task force of members that met quarterly from July 2023 till the event date to assist in planning efforts. The three-day event schedule consisted of:Sunset Soire @ Paradise Ridge Winery (August 2) Opening night mixer with food trucks and live music 28 participating wineries Two winery-sponsored lounges Vineyard art walk Ticketed by RRVW10th Anniversary Russian River Valley Paule Presented by Secret Supper (August 3) Organized and ticketed by Secret Supper 160+ consumers in attendance from across 15 different states. 14 participating wineries + host winery (Iron Horse Vineyards)Russian River Recolt* (August 4) Multi-Vintner harvest lunch at Hop Kiln Estate on Westside Road*Cancelled in early July due to lack of ticket salesThe events that were ticketed by RRVW struggled to meet sales goals, resulting in a lack of attendance at the events and a financial loss for the organization. The Paule was a screaming success as it sold out well in advance of the date and brought in over 40+ room nights at the Hyatt Regency. In addition to the physical events, RRVW hosted a campaign on RussianRiverValleyWineWeekend.com for winery and vineyard experiences throughout the weekend that cost no additional fees to participating members. October 24, 2024-Annual Meeting & Harvest BBQ at Balletto Vineyards- In an effort to share details about our 2025 calendar of marketing efforts and events with our members prior to the end of the year, as well as share the new of our recently awarded Value-Added Producer Grant, RRVW decided to host our annual meeting member presentation as part of our annual harvest BBQ holiday party in October. We allocated up to $10k for the event. We saw a large turnout of members with over 155 people in attendance. Members enjoyed traditional California tri-tip prepared by some of our board of directors, catered sides by Bianchi Catering, live music by Nick Foxer, and a dessert station with Kozlowski hand pies. As always, RRVW collected non-perishable food items for the Redwood Empire Food Bank.
- $32,775 spent. Russian River Valley Branding InitiativesApril 2024-Development and Launch of RussianRiverValleyWineWeekend.comRussian River Valley Winegrowers worked with Danielle Firle of the Secret Supper team to develop RussianRiverValleyWineWeekend.com. This new website served as an easier outlet for ticket sales for the weekend of events, as well as an opportunity to promote our sponsors, including our hotel partner, the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country.The main purpose of the website is to promote DTC-offers from various members for Russian River Valley Weekend on an annual basis. RussianRiverValley.org serves as more of an informative, educational resource about the region, so we decided to place the consumer offers under a more tourism-focused site. RRVW simultaneously created a social media campaign to promoting the offers as well (2 offers per week for six weeks). Application and Awarding of USDA Value-Added Producer GrantWith continued deficit spending since 2021 and dwindling financial reserves since the loss of revenue from the Sonoma County Barrel Auction, the Russian River Valley Winegrowers used our 2023 Board Retreat in October to discuss alternative revenue opportunities. As part of this, Morrison & Co., a grant-writing firm, was asked to come and provide a presentation of their services. They offered two potential grants for RRVW to pursue: A Value-Added Producer Grant (USDA) or a Specialty Crop-Block Grant. From October- December, volunteer BOD members sought competitive bids for grant writers. In December 2023, RRVW signed on with Morrison & Co. for a VAPG application for 2024. From January-March 2024, a feasibility study conducted with members, and a marketing plan is completed with the assistance of Amy Tesconi (Tesconi Marketing). The application was submitted in April 2024. A total investment of $37.5k ($33k to Morrison & Co., $4.5k to Amy Tesconi) was made for the grant. The funding is a 1:1 matching grant of $250k for up to 36 months. Funding is focused on outbound marketing. RRVW chose the markets of Dallas, Washington D.C., and Atlanta for trade, consumer, and media events to promote Russian River Valley. RRVW learned that the grant was successfully awarded in September 2024. While funding was accessible to grantees starting in October, the funding was contingent on showing matching total matching funds. RRVW was granted an extension to show proof of funds till January 31, 2025. No grant revenue was recognized in 2024. Committees and GroupsDTC Networking Group-meeting schedule varied throughout the year.Chaired by Cristina Torres
- $28,098 spent. Marketing + PR Committee-Quarterly meeting basisEvent Committee Task Force-Quarterly meeting basis till Russian River Valley Wine Weekend
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1996.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.