Sonoma Winemakers Get $357K Federal Grant

One hundred area wineries and 140 grape growers will get some extra marketing help from a federal grant.

The nonprofit Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance will receive $357,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and plans to use the money for website development, social media and email marketing, and advertising in print and online mediums.

“Receiving this grant is a huge victory for our vintners, winegrowers and tourism partners as we work to build and share the passionate story of Sonoma Valley," a Sept. 30 press release quoted Maureen Cottingham, Executive Director of Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance, as saying. "The foundation has been set with the Sonoma Valley brand that was launched in early 2013 and now this grant will enable us to execute on a national platform.”

The full press release follows:

Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance Awarded USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant

(SONOMA, Calif.) – The Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance (SVVGA), a marketing organization of 100 Sonoma Valley wineries and 140 growers was awarded a Specialty Crop Block Grant of $357,000 from the US Department of Agriculture to increase wine consumer awareness of the high-quality wines from the Sonoma Valley region through a marketing campaign that will include a second phase of website development, social media and email campaigns, and print and online advertising.

The Specialty Crop Block Grants, administrated by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, are designed to help strengthen the market for specialty crops like tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops. The USDA encourages states to develop projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, sustain the livelihood of American farmers, and strengthen local economies.

This is the first time SVVGA has applied for the Specialty Crop Block Grant. Recipients selected represented organizations in 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and Guam and grants awarded totaled $52 million of which $18 million was directed to California programs.

“Receiving this grant is a huge victory for our vintners, winegrowers and tourism partners as we work to build and share the passionate story of Sonoma Valley.  The foundation has been set with the Sonoma Valley brand that was launched in early 2013 and now this grant will enable us to execute on a national platform” said Maureen Cottingham, Executive Director of Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance.

About Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance and Foundation

The Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance (SVVGA) is a non-profit trade organization serving over 500 members who share a mission to promote awareness of Sonoma Valley’s grapes, wine, and history as the birthplace of the California wine industry. The Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation (SVVGF) is a non-profit 501c.3 organization that has raised over $10,000,000 for local Sonoma charities. For more information on the SVVGA and SVVGF, visit www.SonomaValleyWine.com.