Elite Sponsors
Discover what five million annual visitors already know: The Texas Hill Country Wineries are spectacular and fun! With 46 unique and visually stunning wineries scattered throughout the Hill Country, from Austin to Fredericksburg and Lampasas to New Braunfels, there’s someplace new to explore around every bend. Each place has its own personality, terroir and style of winemaking, yet all share a commitment to quality and a fervent passion for what they do. We hope you will come visit us for an award-winning wine experience only Texas can offer.
The mission of the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau is to market Fredericksburg and Gillespie County as a premier travel destination on the regional, national and international stage thereby creating a positive impact on the local economy and the quality of life here. This mission is accomplished by passionate people working in partnership to create and market an overnight destination where visitors can experience the richness of our cultural, natural and culinary offerings, as well as the diversity and quality of our retail, entertainment and accommodations mix.
GO TEXAN, with its signature mark in the shape of Texas, celebrates, promotes and supports the business savvy and plainspoken grit Texas agriculture is known for throughout the world. Whether it’s grown, sewn or served up on a plate, more than 26 million Texans shop, travel and dine out in support of Texas business and agriculture, looking for the GO TEXAN mark to light the way.
National Partners
Based in Santa Barbara, California, Touring & Tasting is a marketing and media company serving the wine tourism industry. The nationally distributed and acclaimed bi-annual magazine has been the Premier Guide to Wine Country for 21 years and is the hallmark of the Touring & Tasting brand. The company has further expanded and diversified into a multi-faceted marketing company delivering innovative, content based, customized programs and partnerships to wine country businesses seeking to enhance and expand their brand. Touring & Tasting assumes a leadership position in the wine tourism industry by supporting and sponsoring a variety of conferences, festivals and events including the Wine Marketing and Tourism Conference, the Wine Bloggers Conference, the International Chardonnay Symposium and more.
The mission of WineAmerica is to encourage the dynamic growth and development of American wineries and winegrowing through the advancement and advocacy of sound public policy. The Association also provides membership services to assist wineries with a variety of business operations. With more than 800 members from 48, states WineAmerica is the only wine trade association with national membership.
The Concierge Alliance of Napa Valley and Sonoma, CANVAS, is a dynamic organization comprised of outstanding leaders in the hospitality community. CANVAS Members continually provide guests to Napa and Sonoma with the best possible experiences. We are proud to have such dedicated and loyal individuals participating in the programs facilitated by CANVAS that benefit our Community.
The Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University is the first and only university program in the United States to focus exclusively on the business aspects of the wine industry. Created through a partnership between the university and the wine industry, the program offers a specialized curriculum targeted on the business challenges of the wine industry, including courses in Wine Marketing, Wine Finance and Accounting, Human Resources Management, Wine Business Strategies and Wine Production, Operations & Distribution. The Wine Business Institute will be helping to establish the content at the conference.
The Wine Institute initiates and advocates public policy that enhances the ability to responsibly produce, promote and enjoy wine. They advocate for California wine at the state, federal, and international levels; educate public policy makers and the media on the cultural and economic value of wine; take a leadership role in coalitions and enhancing the business and political network for wine; and assist members with information and guidance on legal, policy and compliance issues. The Wine Institute has been a longtime advocate of the Wine Tourism Conference and also just made available their new book, “Down to Earth: a Seasonal Tour of Sustainable Winegrowing in California.”
Wine Industry Network (WIN) is THE business resource for the wine industry. Winery and viticulture professionals use WIN for free to research products and services from premium industry suppliers, find contact and product information, and receive free supplier news, deals, and updates through the bi-weekly Link newsletter in one or more of the professional categories that best match your needs.
The Wine Bloggers Conference is an annual gathering of 350 wine bloggers and other wine industry members who are interested to learn more about wine industry communications, writing, and social media marketing. The 2017 conference will take place November 9 – 12 and will be the 10th annual event. Zephyr Adventures, organizer of the Wine Marketing & Tourism Conference, is the organizer of the Wine Bloggers Conference.
Wine Country Media is for those of you as passionate about wine as we are. Welcome to the premier source for wine country information. We are delighted to share our combined knowledge, expertise, values and special offers with wine lovers worldwide.
Other Sponsors
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is your gateway between Northern California destinations and major cities across the U.S. and the world. Located 12 miles from downtown Sacramento and always open, service is available from 12 major carriers. The airport opened October 21, 1967, as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport.
Bending Branch Winery, a boutique winery near Comfort TX, is a sustainable practices and organically focused operation with 20 acres of vines, comprising 14 grape varieties. Our wines include award-winning Petite Sirah, Picpoul Blanc, Cabernet, Souzão, Vermentino, Roussanne, and Tannat. Bending Branch Winery was voted Best Texas Winery in the 2016 San Antonio Express-News Readers’ Choice Awards for the second consecutive year.
VingDirect helps family wineries increase direct to consumer sales through online Tasting Room Performance Trackers, sales training, educational webinars and DTC expertise. On average, VingDirect wineries increase their tasting room sales 35% and their wine club signups by 70%!
VIP Travel Experience is a global concierge and luxury travel service provider. We uphold high standards of business ethics and integrity in the interests of our customers, partners, and the communities in which we serve. We offer a wide range of luxury travel services including: access to exclusive events, business elite travel, incentive travel, epic sporting events, medical tourism, high level security service & much more.
Texas Partners