California Association of Winegrape Growers

What California Association of Winegrape Growers does

The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) is a 501(c)-style nonprofit trade association incorporated on December 16, 1974, headquartered in Sacramento, California, that serves as the only statewide organization dedicated exclusively to representing California winegrape growers. CAWG represents approximately 5,900 grower members across 49 of California's 58 counties and a secondary base of associate members drawn from suppliers, service providers, and industry organizations. Its mission centers on state and federal advocacy (labor, water, trade, pest/disease, wildfire/smoke exposure), industry communications, and member benefit delivery.

CAWG's portfolio spans advocacy services, publications (The Crush quarterly newsletter, weekly CAWG eNews, and the bi-monthly California Vine Lines for policymakers), the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium (co-founded with ASEV in 1995 and the largest wine and grape industry conference in North America at 10,000+ attendees), the Awards of Excellence program, and the newly launched California Vineyard Mapping Project (November 2025). Member benefits include endorsed crop/general insurance through Relation Insurance Services, a 401(k) Multiple Employer Plan administered by Woodruff Sawyer, legal services through Downey Brand and Fisher Phillips, and a members-only webinar library. The CAWG Foundation (a 501(c)(3) established in 1998) administers scholarships and research support.

CAWG's revenue is generated through annual membership dues (grower members at $4.75/acre with a $250 minimum; associate members at $350–$1,250 tiered rates), event sponsorships and advertising across CAWG publications and events, and the Unified Symposium. Its distribution model is exclusively direct, supplemented by partnerships with 30+ regional winegrape associations. The organization is governed by a 27-member Board of Directors elected from California growers and operates with 1–10 employees including a Sacramento-based lobbying team and a Washington D.C. lobbying presence via Cornerstone Government Affairs and The Gualco Group.

Name

California Association of Winegrape Growers

Legal name

California Association of Winegrape Growers

Website

https://cawg.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The California Association of Winegrape Growers is the sole statewide nonprofit trade association dedicated to representing California's 5,900 winegrape growers, providing state and federal advocacy, the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, member benefit programs (insurance, legal, 401(k)), and industry publications. Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Sacramento, it serves growers across 49 California counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Trade Association Services

NAICS

Grape Vineyards (111332)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Grape Growing & Canopy Management (In-Season Vineyard Operations) (AFAGAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Vineyard Certification & Sustainability Programs (Organic, Biodynamic, Regenerative, GAP) (AFAGAJAL)

Keywords

• Agricultural trade association
• Winegrape grower advocacy
• State lobbying services
• Membership association services
• Crop insurance programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Primary revenue stream from annual membership dues. Grower members pay $4.75 per acre with a minimum of $250/year. Associate members pay tiered rates from $350/year (Supporter) to $1,250/year (Benefactor).
2. Event Sponsorships and Advertising: Revenue from advertising and sponsorship opportunities across CAWG platforms including The Crush newsletter, CAWG eNews, website, webinars, and events like the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium and Awards of Excellence program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

CAWG is a private nonprofit trade association that represents California winegrape growers through annual membership programs. It sells Grower memberships ($4.75/acre, $250 minimum) and tiered Associate memberships ($350-$1,250/year), delivering state and federal government advocacy, industry publications, endorsed crop insurance and legal services, a 401(k) retirement plan, member-only webinars, and co-hosts the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium.

Product overview

CAWG operates as a statewide trade association offering a membership-based portfolio of advocacy, communication, and member benefit services. The core offerings include Grower and Associate membership programs ($250-$1,250/year), advocacy representation at state and federal levels, and publications including The Crush (quarterly newsletter), CAWG eNews (weekly), and Vine Lines (bi-monthly). The association organizes the annual Unified Wine & Grape Symposium (the industry's largest event), operates the California Vineyard Mapping Project with interactive mapping tools, and administers the Awards of Excellence program. Member benefits include a 401(k) Multiple Employer Plan, endorsed insurance programs through Relation Insurance Services, legal services partnerships (Downey Brand LLP, Fisher Phillips), and a members-only webinar recordings library. The CAWG PAC and CAWG Foundation scholarship program support political advocacy and education respectively.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Unified Wine & Grape Symposium The wine industry's premier annual event and the largest wine and grape industry conference in North America, featuring a two-day trade show, educational sessions, and networking opportunities for vineyard and winery professionals.
• CAWG Grower Membership Annual membership program for vineyard owners, management companies, and winegrape producers providing advocacy representation, industry updates, member-only events, webinars, publications, and directory access. Dues: $4.75 per acre with $250 minimum per year.
• CAWG Associate Membership Three-tier membership (Supporter $350, Friend $550, Benefactor $1,250) for suppliers, service providers, and trade organizations supporting California's winegrape industry, including directory listing, advertising discounts, webinar partnership opportunities, and 401(k) plan access.
• The Crush Newsletter CAWG's quarterly newsletter reaching nearly 1,000 winegrape growers, wineries, and industry professionals, featuring in-depth stories, state/federal/industry news, committee work, and CAWG priorities.
• CAWG eNews Weekly email newsletter delivered every Thursday providing a roundup of top industry news, policy developments, wine updates, and upcoming events.
• California Vine Lines Bi-monthly newsletter for the Sacramento Capitol community offering updates on California winegrape growing issues for policymakers and regulators.
• California Vineyard Mapping Project Statewide mapping initiative providing accurate, field-verified accounting of California's winegrape acreage, including county-by-county reports, parcel-level interactive web maps, and change-detection updates.
• Awards of Excellence Program Annual awards program celebrating Grower of the Year and Leader of the Year, honoring industry leadership, innovation, and advancement of sustainable practices, with reception held during the Unified Symposium.
• Webinar Recordings Library Members-only on-demand archive of past webinars covering technology, crop insurance, risk management, labor laws, water regulations, sustainability, market insights, and advocacy updates.
• 401(k) Multiple Employer Plan Cost-effective retirement savings plan through a Multiple Employer Plan (MEP) administered by Woodruff Sawyer & Co, with flexible design options including Safe Harbor, Roth, profit sharing, and employer match, and minimal administrative burden.
• Legal Services Exclusive legal resources including quarterly consultations with Downey Brand LLP, monthly labor and employment law hotline with Fisher Phillips LLP, and discounted access to fpSOLUTIONS HR compliance platform.
• Endorsed Insurance Programs Endorsed insurance offering via Relation Insurance Services including crop insurance, workers compensation through Preferred Employers Group, and property and liability coverage through NAU Country.
• CAWG PAC Political Action Committee that supports candidates who understand and champion grower concerns, including a Century Club for contributions of $1,000 or more annually.
• CAWG Foundation Scholarships 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing scholarships up to $8,000 for UC/CSU students and $2,000 for community college students, plus the Robert Miller Memorial Scholarship for Central Coast students studying enology or viticulture.

Quantifiable outcome

• 422,000 full-time equivalent jobs in California supported by wine and winegrape industry
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Wine InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWine Institute and CAWG co-commissioned the landmark Economic Impact of California Wine and Grapes 2022 study conducted by John Dunham & Associates. Also jointly established and co-administer the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) since 2002/2003, which administers the CCSW certification program.
• Downey Brand LLPcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCAWG's legal counsel and endorsed legal services provider. Offers CAWG grower members complimentary quarterly legal consultations (30 minutes each). Specialized in winegrape growing and agribusiness law covering corporate, real estate, environmental, regulatory, land use, and water law.
• Fisher Phillips LLPcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLabor and employment law partner providing CAWG members with monthly complimentary 20-minute legal consultation hotline. Also offers fpSOLUTIONS HR compliance platform at 10% member discount. Fisher Phillips reinvests 20% of CAWG member purchases back into the association.
• Woodruff Sawyer & CocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAdministers CAWG's 401(k) Multiple Employer Plan (MEP) for retirement savings. Handles nearly all administrative tasks including no annual audit requirement, no individual Form 5500 filings, and cost savings on investment options.
• The Gualco Group, Inc.coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExperienced lobbying and consulting firm providing state-level government affairs support. Part of CAWG's advocacy team alongside full-time Director of State Government Affairs.
• Cornerstone Government AffairscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFederal lobbying team representing CAWG in Washington D.C. Protects grower interests on labor, immigration, pest/disease funding, water rights, and specialty crop programs.
• Relation Insurance ServicescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCAWG's endorsed insurance provider since 1946. Offers customized risk management for winegrape growers including crop insurance, workers compensation (through Preferred Employers Group), and property/liability coverage (through NAU Country partnership).
• NAU Country InsurancesecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInsurance carrier partner providing crop insurance products through Relation Insurance Services. Expert claims adjusters located throughout California for fast, local support for winegrape growers.
• West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force (WCSETF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched in 2018 in partnership with winegrape and wine associations across California, Oregon, and Washington. CAWG is a member. Coordinates research on wildfire smoke and grapes, develops sampling protocols, micro-fermentation methods, grower/winery guidance, and serves as hub for research, lab/testing info, and policy/insurance resources.
• American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder with CAWG of the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in 1995. ASEV and CAWG jointly launch this premier annual event, the largest wine and grape industry conference in North America.
• Wine InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) together with CAWG in 2002-2003. Joint initiative that administers the CCSW certification program evaluating over 140 criteria for sustainable winegrowing practices.
• Allied Grape GrowerssecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerProject partner in CAWG's 2025 California Vineyard Mapping Project. Contributed leadership, local expertise, and outreach support for the statewide vineyard acreage mapping initiative.
• Napa Valley Grapegrowers AssociationsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerProject partner in California Vineyard Mapping Project. Contributed local expertise and outreach support for mapping vineyards in Napa County.
• Sonoma County Winegrape CommissionsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerProject partner in California Vineyard Mapping Project. Contributed local expertise and outreach support for mapping vineyards in Sonoma County.
• Lodi Winegrape CommissionsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerProject partner in California Vineyard Mapping Project. Contributed local expertise and outreach support for mapping vineyards in the Lodi region.
• Paso Robles Wine Country AlliancesecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerProject partner in California Vineyard Mapping Project. Contributed leadership and outreach for the Paso Robles wine region.
• Lake County Winegrape CommissionsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerProject partner in California Vineyard Mapping Project. Contributed local expertise for the Lake County wine region.
• Livermore Valley Winegrowers AssociationsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerProject partner in California Vineyard Mapping Project for Livermore Valley region.
• Lodi District Grape Growers AssociationsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerProject partner in California Vineyard Mapping Project for Lodi District.
• Santa Barbara VintnerssecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerProject partner in California Vineyard Mapping Project for Santa Barbara County region.
• Clarksburg Wine Growers & Vintners AssociationsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerProject partner in California Vineyard Mapping Project for Clarksburg region.
• Suisun Valley Vintners & Growers AssociationsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerProject partner in California Vineyard Mapping Project for Suisun Valley region.
• Temecula Valley Winegrowers AssociationsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerProject partner in California Vineyard Mapping Project for Temecula Valley region.
• University of California DavissecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner. Dr. Anita Oberholster (UC Davis) was 2022 Leader of the Year award recipient. UC Davis provides research support and expertise for viticulture and enology.
• California Farm BureausecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of SB 921 (agricultural employer overtime tax credit) and SB 628 (ag overtime payroll tax credit). Collaborates on farmworker pay and agricultural employer support legislation.
• Family Winemakers of CaliforniasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of AB 1585 (American Wine Truth in Labeling) and SB 917 (farmers market wine sales for small wineries). Shared advocacy on labeling and market access issues.

Scale indicators25 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance: Regional alliance promoting Paso Robles wine country including growers; a CAWG mapping partner. Operates with adjacent but narrower geographic and member scope.
• Sonoma County Winegrape Commission: Regional grower commission for Sonoma County winegrape producers; project partner in CAWG's 2025 California Vineyard Mapping Project. Comparable in mission (research, advocacy, marketing for growers) but limited to Sonoma County.
• Lodi Winegrape Commission: Regional commission representing Lodi winegrape growers; project partner on CAWG's statewide mapping initiative. Closely mirrors CAWG's grower-representation model at a sub-state level.
• Family Winemakers of California: A California trade association representing small- to mid-sized wineries; CAWG is listed as a member/partner. Comparable as a statewide advocacy organization focused on a specific wine sub-segment, and a co-sponsor with CAWG on bills such as AB 1585 and SB 917.
• Napa Valley Grapegrowers Association: Regional winegrape grower association in Napa Valley; a project partner in CAWG's 2025 California Vineyard Mapping Project. Operates the same membership/advocacy model for growers at the regional level, making it CAWG's closest regional counterpart.

Emerging players

• American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV): National scientific society for enology/viticulture professionals; co-founder with CAWG of the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in 1995. Adjacent peer—scientific rather than commercial advocacy—but tightly linked via the largest U.S. industry event.
• National Grape Research Alliance: National research-focused alliance advancing grape industry science and innovation. Comparable to CAWG in serving grower interests but at the research/policy layer rather than direct member advocacy.

Regional players

• Lake County Winegrape Commission: Regional commission representing Lake County growers; works with CAWG on vineyard mapping. Direct regional analog of CAWG's representation model at the Lake County level.

Broad incumbents

• California Farm Bureau: Statewide agricultural trade association covering all California commodities; CAWG is a co-sponsor on labor/employer legislation such as SB 921 and SB 628. A broader incumbent that overlaps with CAWG on ag policy but does not focus on winegrapes specifically.
• Wine Institute: California's statewide wine industry advocacy association representing wineries/producers; a direct counterpart to CAWG on the winemaking side. CAWG and Wine Institute jointly established the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and co-commissioned the landmark 2022 economic impact study, making this the closest high-level peer in the same industry.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@UnifiedWineGrapeSymposium
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/california-association-of-winegrape-growers
• Xx.com/cawg_growers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California Association of Winegrape Growers