SEC Form DEF 14A filed by Willamette Valley Vineyards Inc.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Schedule 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.  )

Filed by the Registrant x

Filed by a party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:

Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

Notice of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders

To be held: Saturday, July 13, 2024

Dear Shareholders,

You are cordially invited to the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“Annual Meeting”) of Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc. (the “Company”), which will be held via online live webcast on Saturday, July 13, 2024, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

The government-mandated “escheatment” process could adversely affect your shares. If the Company, or the Company’s Transfer Agent, Equiniti, cannot locate you, they are required to transfer your shares to the state government as “unclaimed” property. Voting your shares or updating your contact information will assure your continued control of your shares. For registered shareholders, you can update your information by emailing us at: [email protected]. Beneficial owners should contact their brokerage firm with updates to their contact information.

The Annual Meeting can be accessed by visiting wvv.com/annualmeeting, where you will be able to participate in the meeting live and vote online. In order to be able to vote at the Annual Meeting, you will need your control number, which is included on your proxy ballot if you are a shareholder of record on May 10, 2024 or included with the form and voting instructions you received from your broker if you hold your shares in “street name.” The Annual Meeting will be held for the following purposes:

The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) that accompanies this notice.

Our Board of Directors fixed May 10, 2024 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any postponements or adjournments of the meeting, and only shareholders of record at the close of business on that date are entitled to this notice and to vote at the Annual Meeting. A list of shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available at our office for ten days prior to the meeting.

We hope that you will use this opportunity to take an active part in our affairs by voting on the business to come before the Annual Meeting, either by executing and returning the enclosed proxy ballot or by casting your vote using the internet. An electronic version of the Proxy Statement and our Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2023 is available at this web address: wvv.com/annualmeeting. Please access your Proxy using one of the methods outlined in the Proxy Statement – internet, regular mail, or telephone. If you receive more than one proxy card because you own shares registered in different names or addresses, each proxy card should be voted and returned.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Turner, Oregon 

May 31, 2024

PROXY STATEMENT

for the

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JULY 13, 2024

1.       INTRODUCTION

1.1       General

This proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) and the accompanying proxy ballot are being furnished to the shareholders of Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc., an Oregon corporation (the “Company”), as part of the solicitation of proxies by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board” or the “Board of Directors”) from shareholders of record of outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, no par value (the “Common Stock”) on May 10, 2024, for use in voting at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders which will be conducted via online live audio webcast on July 13, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. (Pacific Time), and any adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Annual Meeting”). There will not be a physical meeting location. The Annual Meeting can be accessed by visiting wvv.com/annualmeeting, where you will be able to participate in the meeting live and vote online. In order to be able to vote at the Annual Meeting, you will need your Control number, which is included on your proxy ballot if you are a shareholder of record as of May 10, 2024 or included with the form and voting instructions you received from your broker if you hold your shares of Common Stock in “street name.” Please note that you will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person. References to “we”, “our”, “us”, or the “Company” in this Proxy Statement mean Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials

for the Shareholder Meeting to be Held on July 13, 2024

Pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we have elected to provide internet access to our Proxy Statement and our Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the “Annual Report”) rather than distributing hardcopies of the meeting materials. Consequently, most shareholders will not receive paper copies of our proxy materials. We will instead send to these shareholders an Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting (the “Notice of Internet Availability”), with instructions for accessing the proxy materials, including our Proxy Statement and Annual Report. This reduces postage, printing expenses, and paper waste and is part of our efforts to eliminate unnecessary expenses and conserve the environment. This Proxy Statement along with our Annual Report are available at wvv.com by clicking on the “Investor Relations” tab or wvv.com/annualmeeting. In accordance with SEC rules, our proxy materials posted on our website under the “Investor Relations” tab do not contain any cookies or other tracking features.

At the Annual Meeting, shareholders will be asked to consider and vote upon the following:

The Notice of Internet Availability, which contains information as to how shareholders can access this Proxy Statement, the Annual Report and a proxy ballot, is first being mailed to the Company’s shareholders on or about May 31, 2024.

1.2       Solicitation, Voting and Revocability of Proxies

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on May 10, 2024 as the record date for the determination of the shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, only holders of record of Common Stock at the close of business on such date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, with each such share entitling its owner to one vote on all matters properly presented at the Annual Meeting. On the record date, there were 2,099 registered holders holding 4,964,529 shares of Common Stock. The presence in person or by proxy, of a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting.

Shareholders can vote on matters that properly come before the Annual Meeting in one of three ways:

Voting online at the Annual Meeting

There will not be a physical meeting location. You will be able to vote online at the Annual Meeting by visiting wvv.com/annualmeeting. You will need your Control number, which is included on your proxy card if you are a shareholder of record as of May 10, 2024 or included with the form and voting instructions you received from your broker if you hold your shares of Common Stock in “street name.”

Voting by mail:

Shareholders may vote by marking, signing and dating the proxy card and mailing it in the enclosed, prepaid and addressed envelope or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717, prior to the Annual Meeting.

Voting on the Internet before the Annual Meeting.

Shareholders may vote their shares of Common Stock by going to www.proxyvote.com and following the instructions for electronic delivery up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 12, 2024. Shareholders should have their proxy card in hand when accessing the website.

Voting by Telephone.

Shareholders may vote by calling the toll-free number listed on the proxy card from any touch-tone telephone and following the instructions up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 12, 2024. Shareholders should have their proxy card in hand when calling.

Shareholders, who own their shares through a brokerage account or in other nominee form, should follow the instructions received from the record holder to see which voting methods are available.

Each enclosed proxy gives discretionary authority to the persons named therein with respect to any amendments or modifications of the Company proposals and any other matters that may be properly proposed at the Annual Meeting. The shares represented by all valid unrevoked proxies returned in time to be voted at the Annual Meeting will be voted in accordance with the instructions marked therein. EXECUTED BUT UNMARKED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE DIRECTORS NAMED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT AND FOR THE EACH OF THE OTHER PROPOSALS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD WHICH ARE DESCRIBED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT. If any other matter(s) properly comes before the Annual Meeting, the proxies solicited hereby will be exercised in accordance with the reasonable judgment of the proxy holders named therein. If the meeting is adjourned or postponed, your shares will be voted by the proxy holders on the new meeting date as well, unless you have revoked your proxy instructions before that date. Under Oregon law, shareholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the proposals set forth in this Proxy Statement.

A shareholder may revoke a proxy at any time prior to its exercise by filing a written notice of revocation with, or by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to: Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting over the internet. Attending the Annual Meeting in and of itself will not revoke previously given proxies. In order to be effective, all revocations and later-filed proxies must be delivered to the Company, care of Broadridge, at the address listed above not later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, on Friday, July 12, 2024. A shareholder who attends the Annual Meeting need not revoke a previously executed proxy and vote online unless the shareholder wishes to do so. All valid, unrevoked proxies will be voted at the Annual Meeting.

A proxy marked as abstaining will be treated as present for the purpose of determining whether there is a quorum for the Annual Meeting but will not be counted as voting on any matter as to which abstinence is indicated. If a quorum exists, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shares entitled to vote, while action on a matter other than the election of directors is approved if the votes cast by the shares entitled to vote favoring the action exceed the votes cast opposing the action. Consequently, assuming the presence of a quorum, abstentions will not affect the results of the matters to be affected at the Annual Meeting.

A Broker “non-vote,” which occurs when a broker or other nominee holder, such as a bank, submits a proxy representing shares that another person actually owns, and that person has not given voting instructions on a non-routine matter or matters to the broker or other nominee holder, will be treated as present for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum for the Annual Meeting. Pursuant to applicable regulations, if a shareholder does not give voting instructions to his/her broker, such broker will not be permitted to vote the shareholder’s shares of Common Stock with respect to any of the Proposals described in this Proxy Statement, except for Proposal 2. We expect that banks and brokers will be allowed to exercise discretionary authority for beneficial owners who have not provided voting instructions with respect to the vote to ratify the Company’s selected independent registered public accounting firm in Proposal 2.

The Company will pay the cost of its proxy solicitation. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited personally, by telephone or by email by directors, officers and employees of the Company, who will not be specially compensated for such activities. Your cooperation in promptly completing and returning the enclosed proxy to vote your shares of Common Stock will help to avoid additional expense.

1.3       Directors and Executive Officers

The following table sets forth the names of each of our executive officers, each of the members of the Board of Directors, and each such person’s position with the Company and age. Our bylaws permit our Board of Directors to establish by resolution the authorized number of directors, which shall be between two and eleven directors. The Board is currently comprised of seven members. Three current directors, Craig Smith, Stan G. Turel and Sarah Rose, are nominees for election at the Annual Meeting.

All directors hold office until the end of their term’s respective annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors have been elected and qualified. Executive officers are appointed by the Board of Directors and serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Board is divided into three groups (I, II, and III). Each director shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting following the annual meeting at which such director was elected.

There are no family relationships among any of our current directors or executive officers. Set forth below is additional information as to each director and executive officer of the Company.

James W. Bernau – Mr. Bernau has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Company since its inception in May 1988. Mr. Bernau, an Oregon winegrower, originally established Willamette Valley Vineyards as a sole proprietorship in 1983, and he co-founded the Company in 1988 with Salem grape grower, Donald Voorhies. From 1981 to September 1989, Mr. Bernau was Director of the Oregon Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses (“NFIB”), an association of 15,000 independent businesses in Oregon. Mr. Bernau has served as the President of the Oregon Winegrowers Association and the Treasurer of the association’s Political Action Committee (PAC) and Chair of the Promotions Committee of the Oregon Wine Advisory Board, the State of Oregon’s agency dedicated to the development of the industry. In March 2005, Mr. Bernau received the industry’s Founder’s Award for his service. Mr. Bernau’s qualifications to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors include his more than 30 years of leadership of the Company and his industry experience and contacts.

Craig Smith, MBA, JD – Mr. Smith has served as a director since October 2007 and as Secretary since 2009. For over 20 years Mr. Smith served as the Vice President/Chief Financial Officer of Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon. He was an Adjunct Professor at the Atkinson Graduate School of Management at Willamette University, as well as Managing Partner of Faler, Grove, Mueller & Smith, a large local CPA firm. He has served on many State of Oregon commissions and as the Board Chairperson for many of the local non-profit and educational institutions including the Salem Keizer School Board, Chemeketa Community College Board of Education, Oregon State Fair Council, Oregon Fair Dismissal Appeals Board, Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments, Oregon School Boards Association and the United Way. Now retired Mr. Smith was a member of the Oregon State Bar as well as a Certified public accountant. Mr. Smith’s qualifications to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors include his financial and accounting experience.

John Ferry – Mr. Ferry has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company since September 2019, and served as President of Contact Industries, a wood products-based OEM supplier, from November 2014 until July 2019. He served as CFO of Lifeport Inc., a division of Sikorsky Aircraft, from April 2012 to November 2014. Further, he has served in senior financial leadership positions in various Aerospace-related industries dating back to 1996. Mr. Ferry has earned an Executive MBA from Bath University, in England, and a MA Hon’s degree in Accounts/Economics from Dundee University in Scotland.

James L. Ellis – Mr. Ellis, a founding shareholder, has served as a director since July 1991. Mr. Ellis retired from full time duties with the Company in July of 2009. He currently serves as the Company’s ombudsman and works part-time on selected projects. Mr. Ellis previously served as the Company’s Director of Human Resources from 1993 to 2009. He was the Company’s Secretary from 1997 to 2009, and Vice President /Corporate from 1998 to 2009. From 1990 to 1992, Mr. Ellis was a partner in Kenneth L. Fisher, Ph.D. & Associates, a management-consulting firm. From 1980 to 1990, Mr. Ellis was Vice President and General Manager of R.A. Kevane & Associates, a Pacific Northwest personnel-consulting firm. From 1962 to 1979, Mr. Ellis was a member of and administrator for the Christian Brothers of California, owner of Mont La Salle Vineyards and producer of Christian Brothers wines and brandy. Mr. Ellis’ qualifications to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors include his prior experience as a member of the Company’s senior management, as well as more than 40 years of business experience.

Sean M. Cary – Mr. Cary has served as a director since July 2007. Mr. Cary is the Chief Financial Officer of Pacific Excavation, Inc., a Eugene, Oregon based heavy and civil engineering contractor. Previously, Mr. Cary served as the CFO of CBT Nuggets, LLC, the Corporate Controller of National Warranty Corporation, the CFO of Cascade Structural Laminators and prior to that as Controller of Willamette Valley Vineyards. Mr. Cary served in the U.S. Air Force as a Financial Officer. Mr. Cary holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management from the U.S. Air Force Academy. Mr. Cary’s qualifications to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors include his financial and accounting expertise.

Stan G. Turel – Mr. Turel has served as a director since November 1994. Mr. Turel is President of Turel Enterprises, a real estate management company managing his own properties in Oregon, Washington and Idaho and is president of Columbia Pacific Tax in Bend, Oregon. Prior to his current activities, Mr. Turel was the Principal and CEO of Columbia Turel, (formerly Columbia Bookkeeping, Inc.) a position which he held from 1974 to 2001. Prior to the sale of the company to Fiducial, one of Europe’s largest accounting firms, Columbia had approximately 26,000 annual tax clients including approximately 4,000 small business clients. Additionally, Mr. Turel successfully operated as majority owner of two cable TV companies during the 80’s and 90’s which were eventually sold to several public corporations. Mr. Turel is a pilot, author, was a former delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business and held positions on several state and local Government committees. Mr. Turel’s qualifications to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors include his more than 20 years of accounting and business management experience.

Cara Pepper Day – Ms. Pepper Day joined the Board on July 16, 2022. She has spent the last 12 plus years in technology specific to beverage alcohol with GreatVines, Andavi Solutions, and Crafted ERP by Doozy Solutions. From February 2011 to May 2021, Ms. Pepper Day anchored the Sales and Success teams at GreatVines rising to Director of Customer Success. From May 2021 to November 2021 Ms. Pepper Day served as VP of Customer Success at Andavi Solutions. In November of 2021 Ms. Pepper Day joined the team at Crafted ERP by Doozy Solutions. Ms. Pepper Day holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Linfield University in Mathematics. She was awarded the Willamette Valley Vineyards Bacchus Employee of the Year award in 2006. Ms. Pepper Day’s qualifications to serve on the Board include her breadth of sales, technology and beverage industry understanding and experience.

Sarah Rose –Ms. Rose joined the Board on July 16, 2022. Ms. Rose started her career at WVV as a marketing intern and worked in the tasting room during her time at Willamette University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. Ms. Rose has 15+ years of experience innovating and implementing marketing and event campaigns – including seven years (from 2015 – 2022) for Compass Group at Microsoft, where she was responsible for the customer experience including storytelling, events, and communications for 40,000+ Microsoft employees on the expansive Puget Sound campus. While she also spent some time working for a start-up (2023-2023), she has rejoined the food and hospitality industry once again at Compass Group at Amazon, responsible for the events, marketing and storytelling across the enterprise at Amazon. Ms. Rose is also on her local school’s PTA board in Communications. Ms. Rose’s qualifications to serve on the Board include her marketing, event, and hospitality expertise.

1.4       Board and Committee Meeting Attendance

The Board of Directors met six times during 2023. Each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board and the total number of meetings of each committee on which each director served.

1.5       Annual Meeting Attendance

Although we do not have a formal policy regarding attendance by members of the Board of Directors at our annual meeting of shareholders, directors are encouraged to attend the annual meetings. All of our then-current directors attended the Company’s 2023 annual meeting of shareholders.

1.6       Independence

The Board of Directors has determined that each of our directors other than Mr. Bernau and Mr. Ellis is “independent” within the meaning of the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the director independence standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”), as currently in effect. Furthermore, the Board of Directors has determined that each of the members of the Compensation and Audit Committees of the Board of Directors is “independent” under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the director independence standards of NASDAQ, as currently in effect. The Board of Directors does not have a separate standing Nominating Committee. Consistent with NASDAQ rules, only independent directors participate in meetings where the Board of Directors functions as the Company’s nominating committee. The independent directors held two meetings in 2023.

1.7       Committees of the Board of Directors

Compensation Committee

The Board of Directors has appointed a compensation committee (the “Compensation Committee), which reviews executive compensation and makes recommendations to the full Board regarding changes in compensation. Executive officers do not play a role in determining executive compensation. The Compensation Committee does not delegate any of its duties, and it may use consultants in determining executive compensation. The Compensation Committee met one time in 2023. The Compensation Committee did not engage the services of a compensation consultant for 2023. The members of the Compensation Committee are Cara Pepper Day and Stan Turel. All members of the Compensation Committee are independent under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the director independence standards applicable to compensation committee members of NASDAQ listed companies, as currently in effect. A copy of the Compensation Committee’s charter can be found on the Company’s website, www.wvv.com.

Audit Committee

The Company has a separately designated standing audit committee (the “Audit Committee”) established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The members of the Audit Committee are Sean Cary, Craig Smith, and Stan Turel. All members of the Audit Committee are independent as defined under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the director independence standards of NASDAQ, as currently in effect. The Audit Committee oversees our financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors and reports to the Board of Directors the results of these activities, including the systems of internal controls that management and the Board of Directors have established, our audit and compliance process and financial reporting. The Audit Committee, among other duties, engages the independent public accountants retained as the registered public accounting firm, pre-approves all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent public accountants, reviews with the independent public accountants the plans and results of the audit engagement, considers the compatibility of any non-audit services provided by the independent public accountants with the independence of such auditors and reviews the independence of the independent public accountants. Mr. Smith is designated by the Board of Directors as the “audit committee financial expert” under SEC rules. The Audit Committee conducted four meetings in the year ended December 31, 2023 and each meeting was attended by at least two of the committee members. A copy of the Audit Committee charter can be found at our website, www.wvv.com.

Audit Committee Financial Expert

Craig Smith serves as the Audit Committee’s “financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules. Mr. Smith is independent as defined under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the director independence standards established by NASDAQ, as currently in effect.

Capital Development Committee

The Board of Directors has appointed a Capital Development Committee to review potential capital projects or purchases and make recommendations to the full Board of Directors. Additionally, the committee evaluates growth needs of the Company and makes recommendation to management. The Capital Development Committee did not meet in 2023. The members of the committee are Craig Smith, and Stan Turel.

Nominating Committee Functions

The Board of Directors performs the function of a nominating committee for selecting nominees for election as directors. Given its size, the Board believes that performing this function is a pragmatic and realistic approach. Consistent with NASDAQ rules, the independent members of the Board of Directors select and recommend to the full Board of Directors for approval nominees for director positions. The Board then determines whether to approve of such nominations and present them to the Company’s shareholders for election to the Board of Directors. In seeking nominees, the Board looks for qualified candidates that will meet the oversight and financial expertise needs of the Company. The Board also looks for nominees who will meet the independent qualifications necessary to meet current standards of independence. While not maintaining a specific policy on Board diversity requirements, the Board believes that diversity is an important factor in determining the composition of the Board and, therefore, seeks a variety of occupational and personal backgrounds on the Board in order to obtain a range of viewpoints and perspectives and to enhance the diversity of the Board. The Board, functioning as nominating committee, annually evaluates the Board’s composition. This evaluation enables the Board to update the skills and experience they seek in the Board as a whole, and in individual directors, as the Company’s needs evolve and change over time and to assess the effectiveness of efforts at pursuing diversity.

Nominations of candidates by shareholders of the Company to be considered by the Board for membership on the Board of Directors may be submitted if such nominations are made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the Company’s Secretary. For more information, please see the information provided under the heading “Shareholder Proposals and Nominations” below. The current nominees were selected by the independent members of the Board of Directors, which nominees were ratified by the entire Board of Directors. The Company does not currently have a charter or formal policy with respect to the consideration of director candidates recommended by shareholders. The reason for not having such a formal policy is that the Board believes the current approach has functioned well and therefore no formal policy has been deemed necessary by the Board.

Executive Committee

In 1997 the Board appointed an Executive Committee. The members are: James Bernau, James Ellis, Craig Smith and Stan Turel. The Executive Committee met three times in 2023.

1.8       Leadership Structure of Board of Directors

Currently, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bernau, also serves as its Chairperson of the Board. The Board believes the interests of all shareholders are best served at the present time through a leadership model with the same person holding the positions of President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of the Board.

Mr. Bernau possesses an in-depth knowledge of the Company, its operations, and the array of challenges to be faced, gained through over 35 years of successful experience in the industry. The Board believes that these experiences and other insights put Mr. Bernau in the best position to provide broad leadership for the Board as it considers strategy and as it exercises its fiduciary responsibilities to its shareholders.

Further, the Board has demonstrated its commitment and ability to provide independent oversight of management. All directors other than Mr. Bernau and Mr. Ellis have been determined by the Board to be independent, and all the members of each of the Compensation and Audit Committees are independent. Since each independent director may call meetings of the independent directors and may request agenda topics to be added or dealt with in more detail at meetings of the full Board, or an appropriate Board committee, the Board does not believe it necessary to have a lead independent director.

1.9       Role of Board of Directors in Risk Oversight

The entire Board and each of its standing committees are involved in overseeing risks associated with the Company. The Board monitors the Company’s governance by regular review with management and outside advisors. The Board and the Audit Committees monitor the Company’s liquidity risk, regulatory risk, operational risk and enterprise risk by regular reviews with management and external auditors and other advisors. In its periodic meetings with the independent accountants, the Audit Committee discusses the scope and plan for the audit and includes management in its review of accounting and financial controls, assessment of business risks and legal and ethical compliance programs. As part of its responsibilities as set forth in its charter, the Compensation Committee reviews the Company’s executive compensation program and the associated incentives to determine whether they present a significant risk to the Company. Based on this review, the Compensation Committee concluded that the Company’s compensation policies and procedures are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

1.10       Director Compensation

The following table sets forth information concerning compensation of the Company’s directors other than Mr. Bernau (who is an employee and whose compensation is addressed in the Summary Compensation Table) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023:

Other compensation for James L. Ellis includes a monthly stipend for ongoing consultation services as well as serving as administrator of any potential employee complaint that might rise to the board of directors’ level. The members of the Board received cash compensation for their service on the Board in 2023 and are reimbursed for out-of-pocket and travel expenses incurred in attending Board meetings.

In January 2009, the Board, upon recommendation of the Board’s Compensation Committee, who had sought outside counsel regarding revision of the Company’s Board Compensation Plan, adopted the revised version of the revised WVV Board Member Compensation Plan. Under the terms of the Board Member Compensation Plan, any Board member may elect not to receive any or all of the compensation components. In February 2024, the Board revised the compensation for meetings. The basic elements of the revised plan are: $1,000 yearly stipend for service on the Board, $500 per Board meeting and $200 per committee meeting. A set per diem for expenses associated with meeting attendance, as well as a yearly wine allowance were also approved. Under the terms of the Board Member Compensation Plan, any Board member may elect not to receive any or all of the compensation components. The Board also reserved the right to suspend the Board Member Compensation Plan at any time on the basis of prevailing economic conditions and their impact on the company:

1.11       Communications to the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors welcomes and encourages shareholders to share their thoughts regarding the Company. The Board of Directors has adopted a policy whereby all communications should first be directed to the Company’s Secretary at Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc., 8800 Enchanted Way SE, Turner, OR 97392. The Secretary will then distribute a copy of the communication to the Chairperson of the Board, the Chairperson of the Audit Committee and the Company’s outside counsel. Based on the input and decision of these persons, along with the entire Board of Directors if it is deemed necessary, the Company will respond to the communication. Shareholders should not communicate directly with any other individual officer or director unless requested to do so.

1.12       Code of Ethics

The Company has adopted a code of ethics applicable to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, which is a “code of ethics” as defined by applicable SEC rules. A copy of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted on the Company’s web site, www.wvv.com. Amendments to the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or any grant of a waiver from a provision of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics requiring disclosure under applicable SEC rules, if any, will be disclosed on the Company website. Any person may request a copy of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, at no cost, by writing to the Company at the following address:

Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc.
Attention: Corporate Secretary
8800 Enchanted Way SE
Turner, OR 97392

2.       EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

2.1       Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth certain information concerning compensation paid or accrued by the Company, to or on behalf of the Company’s named executive officers who are our principal executive officer, James W. Bernau and Chief Financial Officer, John Ferry for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. No other executive officer of the Company received total compensation in 2023 in excess of $100,000, and thus disclosure is not required for any other person.

Summary compensation information is as follows:

The table below shows for 2023, 2022 and 2021 the “total” compensation for Jim Bernau, our principal executive officer (our “PEO”) and John Ferry, our other Named Executive Officer from the Summary Compensation Table above; the “Compensation Actually Paid” to those officers calculated using rules required by the SEC; our total shareholder return; and our net income.

There were no outstanding equity awards at the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

2.2        Compensation Philosophy

The compensation of our named executive officers has been designed to implement compensation principles that are intended to align management’s interests with our shareholder’s interests in order to support long-term value creation. In establishing the compensation structure of our named executive officers, the Compensation Committee determined that the use of a performance-based incentive should provide additional motivation for our named executive officers to achieve both short-term and long-term business and growth goals for the Company. Additionally, the use of a consumer price index inflation factor on base salary ensures our named executive officers will not lose buying power, on core compensation, while pursuing these goals.

2.3       Bernau Employment Agreement

The Company and Mr. Bernau are parties to an employment agreement dated August 3, 1988, as amended on February 20, 1997, in January of 1998, in November 2010, and again on November 8, 2012 (the “Bernau Employment Agreement”). Under the Bernau Employment Agreement, Mr. Bernau is paid an annual salary with annual increases tied to increases in the consumer price index. Mr. Bernau’s 2023 bonus is calculated as a percentage of Company net income before taxes: 5% on the first $1.75 million of pre-tax income, and 7.5% on pre-tax net income over $1.75 million, not to exceed his current yearly base salary. Additionally, Mr. Bernau participates in the Company’s employer-sponsored 401(k) plan. Pursuant to the Bernau Employment Agreement, the Company provides Mr. Bernau with housing on the Company’s property. Mr. Bernau resides in the estate house, free of rent, which is also used to accommodate overnight stays for Company guests. Mr. Bernau resides in the residence for the convenience of the Company and must continue to reside there for the duration of his employment in order to provide additional security and lock-up services for late evening events at the Estate Winery. The Bernau Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Bernau’s employment may be terminated only for cause, which is defined as non-performance of his duties or conviction of a crime.

2.4       Ferry Employment Agreement

The Company and Mr. Ferry are parties to an employment agreement dated September 11, 2019 (the “Ferry Employment Agreement”). Under the Ferry Employment Agreement, Mr. Ferry is paid an annual salary that is both reviewed and subject to adjustment annually. Mr. Ferry is also eligible to receive an annual performance-based incentive payment that is reviewed and subject to adjustment. Mr. Ferry is also due a retention payment of $150,000 if he is with the Company through April 30, 2026.

2.5       Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Stock as of May 31, 2024, by (i) each person who beneficially owns more than 5% of the Company’s Common Stock, (ii) each Director of the Company, (iii) each of the Company’s named executive officers, and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table, each person has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares attributable to such person.

Information concerning persons who beneficially own more than 5% of the Company’s common stock who are not otherwise affiliated with the Company is based solely upon statements made in filings with the SEC or other information we believe to be reliable.

Unless otherwise noted, the address of each beneficial owner listed in the table is 8800 Enchanted Way SE Turner, OR 97392.

2.6        Transactions with Related Persons

The Company did not participate in any transactions with related persons for the year ended December 31, 2023 that had a direct or indirect material interest in an amount exceeding $120,000 and there are no currently proposed transactions with related persons that exceed $120,000.

All proposed transactions between the Company and its officers, directors, and principal shareholders are required be approved by a disinterested majority of the members of the Board and will be on terms no less favorable to the Company than could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties.

The Board has determined that each of our directors, except Mr. Bernau and Mr. Ellis is “independent” within the meaning of the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the director independence standards of NASDAQ, as currently in effect. Furthermore, the Board has determined that, with the exception of the Executive Committee, each of the members of each of the committees of the Board is “independent” under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the director independence standards of NASDAQ, as currently in effect.

2.7        Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s officers, directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities to file certain reports with the SEC regarding ownership of, and transactions in, the Company’s securities. These officers, directors and stockholders are also required by SEC rules to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports that are filed with the SEC. Based solely on a review of copies of such forms received by the Company and written representations received by the Company from certain reporting persons, the Company believes that except for one Form 4 that was filed late by Jim Bernau, all Section 16(a) reports required to be filed by the Company’s executive officers, directors and 10% stockholders were filed on a timely basis for the year ended December 31, 2023.

2.8       Audit Committee Report

The general purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in the exercise of its fiduciary responsibility of providing oversight of the Company’s financial statements and the financial reporting processes, internal accounting and financial controls, the annual independent audit of the Company’s financial statements, and other aspects of the financial management of the Company. The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors. All committee members are financially literate.

Specific Audit Committee Actions Related to Review of the Company’s Audited Financial Statements: In discharging its duties, the Audit Committee, among other actions, has (i) reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements to be included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 with management, (ii) discussed with the Company’s independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T, related to such financial statements, (iii) received the written disclosures and the letter from the Company’s independent accountants required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent accountant the independent accountant’s independence, and (iv) based on such reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Sean Cary, Chairperson, Stan Turel, Craig Smith

2.9       Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Fees for professional services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm in each of the last two fiscal years, in each of the following categories are:

Pre-approval policies and procedures – It is the policy of the Company not to enter into any agreement for Moss Adams to provide any non-audit services to the Company unless (a) the agreement is approved in advance by the Audit Committee or (b) (i) the aggregate amount of all such non-audit services constitutes no more than 5% of the total amount the Company pays to Moss Adams during the fiscal year in which such services are rendered, (ii) such services were not recognized by the Company as constituting non-audit services at the time of the engagement of the non-audit services and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Audit Committee and prior to the completion of the audit were approved by the Audit Committee or by one or more members of the Audit Committee who are members of the Board to whom authority to grant such approvals has been delegated by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will not approve any agreement in advance for non-audit services unless (1) the procedures and policies are detailed in advance as to such services, (2) the Audit Committee is informed of such services prior to commencement and (3) such policies and procedures do not constitute delegation of the Audit Committee’s responsibilities to management under the Exchange Act.

3.       ELECTION OF DIRECTORS (PROPOSAL NO. 1)

At the Annual Meeting three directors are up for election to the Board of Directors, each for a term of three years. In November 2015 the Board of Directors amended the Company’s Bylaws to include, among other things, dividing board membership into three groups with staggered terms. Therefore, all nominees have been divided into groups. The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote for the election as directors the persons named below as nominees to serve on the Board of Directors for the term specified below:

The Board of Directors believes that the nominees will serve if elected as directors. There is no cumulative voting for election of directors. Directors are elected by a plurality of votes; therefore, the two persons receiving the most votes, even if less than a majority of the votes cast, will be elected directors. Abstentions or failure to vote will have no effect on the election of directors, assuming the existence of a quorum. The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR this proposal.

4.       RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS (PROPOSAL NO. 2)

The Audit Committee has appointed Moss Adams as independent auditors for the 2024 fiscal year. Moss Adams will audit the Company’s financial statements for the 2024 fiscal year and perform other services. While shareholder ratification is not required by the Company’s by-laws or otherwise, the Board of Directors is submitting the selection of Moss Adams to the shareholders for ratification as a good corporate governance practice. If the shareholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee may, but is not required to, reconsider whether to retain Moss Adams. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent public accountant or auditor at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders.

The proposal will be approved if, assuming the existence of a quorum, more shares of the Company’s Common Stock cast on the proposal vote in favor of approval than vote against the proposal. Abstentions are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists at the Annual Meeting but will not be counted and will have no effect on the determination of the outcome of the proposal. The proxies will be voted for or against the proposal, or as an abstention, in accordance with the instructions specified on the proxy form. If no instructions are given, proxies will be voted for approval of the ratification of Moss Adams LLP.

A representative of Moss Adams LLP is expected to attend the Annual Meeting at their own expense and will be given an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR this proposal. Assuming the existence of a quorum, the appointment of Moss Adams LLP will be ratified if approved by the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy.

5.       SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS OF DIRECTORS

5.1       Shareholder Proposals for Inclusion in Next Year’s Proxy Statement

To be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement relating to next year’s annual meeting, a shareholder proposal must be received at our principal executive offices no later than January 31, 2025. Such proposals also will need to comply with SEC regulations under Rule 14a-8 regarding the inclusion of shareholder proposals in Company-sponsored proxy materials. Proposals should be addressed to the Company Secretary, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc., 8800 Enchanted Way S.E., Turner, Oregon 97392. If the date of the next annual meeting is changed by more than 30 days from the anniversary of this year’s annual meeting, then, to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement relating to next year’s annual meeting, notice of a shareholder proposal will need to be received by the Company in a reasonable amount of time before the Company begins to print and send its proxy materials.

5.2       Other Shareholder Proposals

If a shareholder wishes to present a shareholder proposal at our next annual meeting that is not intended to be included in the proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, the shareholder should give notice to our Company Secretary of such proposal. Such notice should be addressed to the Company Secretary, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc., 8800 Enchanted Way S.E., Turner, Oregon 97392. According to the Company’s bylaws, in order to be timely, such notice must be in writing and received by the Company Secretary, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date on which the Company first mailed its proxy materials for the 2023 Annual Meeting (no earlier than January 31, 2025, and no later than the close of business on March 2, 2025). However, if the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 30 days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, then notice by the shareholder to be timely must be delivered to the Company’s Secretary not later than the close of business on the later of (i) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or (ii) the 15th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Therefore, in the event a shareholder does not notify the Company of an intent to present a shareholder proposal at the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting within the timeframe outlined above, the Company’s management will have the right to exercise their discretionary authority to vote proxies received for such meeting with respect to any such proposal.

5.3       Shareholder Director Nominations

The independent members of the Board of Directors select and recommend to the Board of Directors for approval nominees for director and committee member positions. The Board then considers the recommendation of these directors and decides which nominees to present to the Company’s shareholders for election to the Board of Directors.

Shareholders who wish to submit a proposed nominee for election to the Board of Directors of the Company for consideration by the Board should send written notice to the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc., 8800 Enchanted Way S.E., Turner, Oregon 97392 no later than March 2, 2025. Such notification should set forth the name and address of such nominee or nominees and a description of all arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and each nominee or any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the shareholder, as well as all information relating to the proposed nominee as is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act. Additionally, such notice must include the proposed nominee’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected; the name and address of such shareholder or beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is being made; the number of shares of the Company owned beneficially and of record by such shareholder or beneficial owner; and a representation that such shareholder intends to vote such stock at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice. The Board will consider shareholder nominees on the same terms as nominees selected by the Board.

6.       RESULTS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING

The Company intends to announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting and will publish final results within four business days of the Annual Meeting in a Current Report on Form 8-K, which the Company will file with the SEC.

7.       HOUSEHOLDING

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements with respect to two or more shareholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those shareholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for shareholders and cost savings for companies. The Company has implemented householding rules with respect to our shareholders of record. Additionally, a number of brokers with account holders who are shareholders may be “householding” the Company’s proxy materials. If a shareholder receives a householding notification from his, her or its broker, a single proxy statement will be delivered to multiple shareholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from an affected shareholder. Once a shareholder has received notice from his/her broker that they will be “householding” communications to such shareholders address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise.

Shareholders who currently receive multiple copies of the Notice of Internet Availability at their address and would like to request “householding” of their communications should contact their broker. In addition, if any shareholder that receives a “householding” notification wishes to receive a separate Notice of Internet Availability at his, her or its address, such shareholder should also contact his, her or its broker directly. Shareholders who wish to receive multiple copies may also contact the Company c/o Company Secretary, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc., 8800 Enchanted Way S.E., Turner, Oregon 97392, Telephone Number: (503) 588-9463. The Company undertakes to provide all such additional copies of the proxy materials upon request.

Shareholders of record sharing an address can request delivery of a single copy of annual reports to security holders, proxy statements, and notices of internet availability of proxy materials by contacting the Company at: c/o Company Secretary, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc., 8800 Enchanted Way S.E., Turner, Oregon 97392.

8.        COST OF SOLICITATION

The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition to use of the mails, proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone by directors, officers and employees of the Company, who will not be specially compensated for such activities.

11.       ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A copy of the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 accompanies this Proxy Statement. The Company is required to file an Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC. Shareholders may obtain, free of charge, a copy of the Form 10-K on the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or by writing to The Company Secretary, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc., 8800 Enchanted Way S.E., Turner, Oregon 97392, or they may access a copy through links provided on the Company’s web site: www.wvv.com. The information on the Company’s website is not part of this Proxy Statement.

By Order of the Board of Directors 

James W. Bernau 

Chairperson of the Board 

May 31, 2024

You invested in WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS, INC. and it’s time to vote!

You have the right to vote on proposals being presented at the Annual Meeting. This is an important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the shareholder meeting to be held on July 13, 2024.

Get informed before you vote

View the Annual Report and Proxy Statement online OR you can receive a free paper or email copy of the material(s) by requesting prior to June 29, 2024. If you would like to request a copy of the material(s) for this and/or future shareholder meetings, you may (1) visit www.ProxyVote.com, (2) call 1-800-579-1639 or (3) send an email to [email protected]. If sending an email, please include your control number (indicated below) in the subject line. Unless requested, you will not otherwise receive a paper or email copy.

Vote at www.ProxyVote.com

THIS IS NOT A VOTABLE BALLOT

This is an overview of the proposals being presented at the
upcoming shareholder meeting. Please follow the instructions on
the reverse side to vote these important matters.

Voting Items			Board Recommends
1.	Election of Directors to be elected for terms expiring in 2027
	Nominees:
	01)	Craig Smith	For
	02)	Stan Turel
	03)	Sarah Rose
2.	Ratification of appointment of Moss-Adams, LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc. for the year ending December 31, 2024.		For
NOTE: In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned shareholder(s), but if no direction is made, this proxy will be voted “FOR” each of the proposals identified above.

V52163-P14194

		SCAN TO VIEW MATERIALS & VOTE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS, INC.  8800 ENCHANTED WAY SE TURNER, OR 97392	VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above  Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information. Vote by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on July 12, 2024. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.
	ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS  If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.
	VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903  Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions. Vote by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on July 12, 2024. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.
	VOTE BY MAIL  Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:

The Annual Report and Proxy Statement are available at www.proxyvote.com