Wine Institute

Sacramento, CA · Founded 1934

Trade association representing California winemakers in advocacy and market development

Primary audience
General Public
Work area
Advocacy
Topic
Community Services
Contact
Robert P Koch
Website Contact

About Organization

The Wine Institute advocates for California wineries through legislative representation, international trade development, and public policy initiatives. Based in San Francisco, CA, the organization operates with 28 employees and $17.1 million in annual revenue. The institute represents over 1,000 California wineries, addressing regulatory issues, promoting responsible consumption, and expanding export markets.

What They Focus On

Advocacy

Policy engagement and public education advancing member interests and community priorities

Community Partnerships

Collaborative relationships with organizations and stakeholders strengthening collective impact

Capacity Building

Infrastructure and resource development enhancing organizational effectiveness and sustainability

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2023)

$25.2M

-8.7% vs 2021

Expenses (2023)

$25.4M

-7.3% vs 2021

Assets (2023)

$9.3M

+3.8% vs 2021

Employees (2023)

41

-8.9% vs 2021

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2023 $25,229,701 $25,383,998 $9,339,297 41
2021 $27,631,866 $27,387,238 $9,000,312 45
2020 $25,583,532 $25,543,597 $10,255,678 45
2019 $24,588,843 $24,479,361 $10,415,542 43
2018 $23,144,150 $22,961,806 $9,101,973 46
2017 $22,398,806 $22,367,484 $10,362,071 43

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Assessment

    Identifying community needs and organizational priorities through data analysis and stakeholder consultation

  • 02

    Planning

    Developing strategic initiatives and allocating resources to address identified needs and opportunities

  • 03

    Implementation

    Delivering programs and services through trained staff, volunteers, and community partnerships

  • 04

    Evaluation

    Measuring outcomes and collecting feedback to improve effectiveness and accountability

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Wine Institute

Primary Services

Core programs and activities addressing identified community needs through evidence-based interventions

Community Engagement

Outreach and partnership initiatives connecting stakeholders and expanding program reach

Support Services

Complementary programs and resources enhancing participant outcomes and organizational effectiveness

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Wine Institute.

Charles Jefferson

Charles Jefferson

Vice President of Federal & Int'l Public Policy
Full-time
Compensation: $332,432
Steve Gross

Steve Gross

President & CEO
Full-time
Compensation: $309,531
Honore Comfort

Honore Comfort

Vice President of International Marketing
Full-time
Compensation: $249,688
Ted Rose

Ted Rose

Vice President, Finance & Administration
Full-time
Compensation: $228,790
Maluri Fernandez

Maluri Fernandez

Executive Assistant
Michele Famiglietti

Michele Famiglietti

Senior Director, Federal Relations
Jamie Ferman

Jamie Ferman

Senior Director, International Public Policy
Susan Gregory

Susan Gregory

Senior Manager, Federal Regulatory Compliance
Tim Schmelzer

Tim Schmelzer

Vice President of California State Relations
Noelle Cremers

Noelle Cremers

Director, Environmental & Regulatory Affairs
Anna Ferrera

Anna Ferrera

Director, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs
Fely Realin

Fely Realin

Administrative Assistant (Sacramento Office)
Annie Bones

Annie Bones

Senior Manager, State Regulatory Compliance
Tyler Rudd

Tyler Rudd

Central States Counsel (CO, IA, KS, MO, NE, NM, OK, TX, UT, WY)
Terri Cofer Beirne

Terri Cofer Beirne

Eastern Counsel (De, Dc, Md, Nj, Nc, Pa, Va, Wv)
Geralyn Lasher

Geralyn Lasher

Director, Great Lakes States (IL, IN, MI, MN, NY, ND, SD, WI)
Carrie Rand-Anastasiades

Carrie Rand-Anastasiades

Director, Northeast States (CT, MA, ME, NH, OH, RI, VT)
Hunter Limbaugh

Hunter Limbaugh

Southeastern Counsel (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, SC, TN)
Sally Jefferson

Sally Jefferson

Director, Western States (AK, AZ, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA)
Julie Berge

Julie Berge

Vice President of Communications and Member Relations
Ian Blue

Ian Blue

Member Relations Director
Amy Azzolina

Amy Azzolina

Social Media and Communications Manager
Megan Long

Megan Long

Communications Manager
Allison Jordan

Allison Jordan

Vice President of Environmental Affairs
Olivia Regalia

Olivia Regalia

Project Manager
Justin McGuirk

Justin McGuirk

Vice President and General Counsel
Nicole M. Deming

Nicole M. Deming

Senior Counsel
Debbie Fonseca

Debbie Fonseca

Legal Coordinator
Diane Berardi

Diane Berardi

Operations / California Wine Export Membership Manager
Drew Sakauye

Drew Sakauye

Controller
Kate Venugopal

Kate Venugopal

Director, International Marketing
Amber Beseli

Amber Beseli

Grant and Compliance Specialist
Shin Kao

Shin Kao

Senior Director of IT
Maria Vong

Maria Vong

Accounting Manager
RP

Robert P Koch

President & CEO
Full-time
Compensation: $1,971,807
AR

Alan Ramey

District Director
1 hrs/week
AH

Amy Hoopes

Director-At-Large
1 hrs/week
AT

Anthony Torres

Alternate Director
1 hrs/week
AG

Anuj Girdhar

Alternate Director
1 hrs/week
BD

Ben Duemler

Alternate Director
1 hrs/week
BE

Bertram E Silk

Ex-Officio Director
1 hrs/week
CT

Caine Thompson

District Director
1 hrs/week
CC

Caroline Coleman Bailey

Director-At-Large
1 hrs/week
CW

Carolyn Wasem

Alternate Director
1 hrs/week
CW

Carolyn Wente

Ex-Officio Director
1 hrs/week
CI

Cheryl Indelicato

Director-At-Large
1 hrs/week
CM

Chris Mifsud

Alternate Director
1 hrs/week
CW

Christine Wente

District Director
1 hrs/week
CD

Christopher D Indelicato

Ex-Officio Director
1 hrs/week
CH

Christopher Hall

Alt District Director
1 hrs/week
CL

Christopher Lloyd Strieter

Alt District Director
1 hrs/week
CC

Clarence Chia

Alt District Director
1 hrs/week
CB

Corey Beck

Alternate Director
1 hrs/week
DL

Daniel Leonard

Director-At-Large
1 hrs/week
DB

David B Kent

Ex-Officio Director
1 hrs/week
DP

David Phillips

District Director
1 hrs/week
DD

Debra Dommen

Director-At-Large
1 hrs/week
DV

Delia Viader

District Director
1 hrs/week
DD

Dennis D Groth

Ex-Officio Director
1 hrs/week
DS

Dianne S Nury

Ex-Officio Director
1 hrs/week
EM

Ed Matovcik

Director-At-Large
1 hrs/week
EG

Emmanuel Garibay

Director-At-Large
1 hrs/week
EP

Eric P Wente

Ex-Officio Director
1 hrs/week
GB

Gary B Heck

Ex-Officio Director
1 hrs/week
GJ

Gregory J Coleman

Ex-Officio Director
1 hrs/week
HH

Harry H Wetzel

Ex-Officio Director
1 hrs/week
JH

James H Niven

Ex-Officio Director
1 hrs/week
JP

James Perry

Alt District Director
1 hrs/week
JF

Jane Froyd

Alternate Director
1 hrs/week
JA

Jasper A Indelicato

Ex-Officio Director
1 hrs/week
JB

Jeannie Bremmer

Alternate Director
1 hrs/week
JH

Jeff Humphreys

Alternate Director
1 hrs/week
JB

Jeffrey B O'Neil

Ex-Officio Director
1 hrs/week
JE

Jennifer Evans

Director-At-Large
1 hrs/week
JJ

Jerome J Lohr

Ex-Officio Director
1 hrs/week
JA

John Albaugh

District Director
1 hrs/week
JC

John C Kane

Alt District Director
1 hrs/week
JS

John Sutton

Ex-Officio Director
1 hrs/week
JY

Jolene Yee

Director-At-Large
1 hrs/week
JE

Joseph E Gallo

Ex-Officio Director
1 hrs/week
JP

Julie Pedroncelli St John

District Director
1 hrs/week
KA

Kaj Ahlmann

District Director
1 hrs/week
KF

Karen Fontanella

Alt District Director
1 hrs/week
KJ

Katie Jackson

Director-At-Large
1 hrs/week
TG

Tracy Genesen

General Counsel
Full-time
Compensation: $356,808
CM

Carol Martel

Northeastern Counsel
Full-time
Compensation: $265,298
NW

Natalie Wymer

VP, Communications
Full-time
Compensation: $242,623
TS

Timothy Schmelzer

VP, California State Relations
Full-time
Compensation: $236,995
JA

Jordan Allison

VP, Environmental Affairs
Full-time
Compensation: $231,966
MJ

Matthew J Gallo

First Vice Chairman
1 hrs/week
RB

Robin Baggett

Second Vice Chairman
1 hrs/week

Milestones

1934

Organization Founded

1934

Establishment of the organization to serve community needs and advance mission

2021

Revenue Peak

2021

Reached $27,631,866 in annual revenue demonstrating organizational growth

2021

Program Expansion

2021

Expanded services and outreach to reach more beneficiaries and strengthen community impact

2024

Partnership Growth

2024

Developed strategic partnerships with organizations to leverage resources and expand reach

2026

Continued Impact

2026

Ongoing programs and services reaching communities through mission-aligned activities

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

MF
Maluri Fernandez Assistant/Asst Secr To The Board 35.00 hrs/week · $131,158
BD
Ben Dollard Secretary 1.00 hrs/week
GR
Gretchen Roddick Treasurer 1.00 hrs/week
RL
Randall Lange Board Chairman 1.00 hrs/week
RB
Robin Baggett Board Member
EM
Ed Matovcik of Constellation Brands, treasurer; and
CW
Christine Wente of Wente Vineyards, secretary.
RP
Robert P. Koch is president and CEO of Wine Institute. Read the full news release

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2023)

$5.0M

Highest Paid

$2.0M

Robert P Koch

Compensated Officers

11

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Robert P Koch President & CEO $1,971,807 $67,204 $2,039,011 35
Tracy Genesen General Counsel $356,808 $33,555 $390,363 35
Charles Jefferson VP, Fed Relations/Intl Pub $332,432 $35,463 $367,895 35
Steve Gross VP, State Relations $309,531 $51,509 $361,040 35
Carol Martel Northeastern Counsel $265,298 $31,704 $297,002 35
Natalie Wymer VP, Communications $242,623 $53,624 $296,247 35
Honore Comfort VP, International Marketing $249,688 $42,901 $292,589 35
Jordan Allison VP, Environmental Affairs $231,966 $56,554 $288,520 35
Ted Rose VP, Finance & Administration $228,790 $47,880 $276,670 35
Timothy Schmelzer VP, California State Relations $236,995 $31,269 $268,264 35
Maluri Fernandez Assistant/ASST Secr To The Board $131,158 $31,842 $163,000 35

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Contact

Get in touch with Wine Institute

Phone

(415) 356-7538

Social

Visit Website
915 L Street 1190 Sacramento, CA 95814