SoCoBA VINTNER RESOURCES
The Sonoma County Barrel Auction (SoCoBA), presented by American AgCredit, is a live auction of wine futures handcrafted by the county’s top vintners. These Never Before, Never Again wines represent the stylistic range and world-class quality of Sonoma County. This exclusive auction is by invitation only for members of the wine trade and media. SoCoBA 2025 is an in-person event scheduled for May 1-2. Participating wineries must be members of Sonoma County Vintners or part of an AVA association collaboration lot.
Lot submissions are now open! Vintner, sponsor and media registration to attend the events will open in early April 2025.
Download our SoCoBA Marketing Toolkit to get the word out about the auction and generate excitement about your lot.
Why Participate in SoCoBA?
The goal of the Sonoma County Barrel Auction is to elevate the image, perception and bottle price of Sonoma County wines. Be a participant in this rare opportunity to showcase an exclusive, one-of-a-kind wine to high caliber wine buyers and media from across the country. Engage with trade buyers in a meaningful way, reconnect and develop new, long-term connections for your brand.
NEW THIS YEAR: Trade attendees will have the opportunity to invite their top customers to join them at the SoCoBA events, creating even more market demand for these wines along with meaningful connections with our vintner community.
- A winery principal/winemaker must be available to attend all Sonoma County Barrel Auction events.
- Additional team members may also participate in the Lot Tasting Preview Event on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
How to Submit Your SoCoBA Lot
Create Compelling Never Before, Never Again Lots
- Lot submission deadline is January 17, 2025.
- Craft a 5-case, 10-case or 20-case auction lot, featuring a one-of-a-kind wine that is not available in the marketplace.
- Consider a collaborative barrel auction lot with other winemakers.
- Add value by offering a market visit that includes a wine dinner or a store visit for the winning bidder’s account.
- Submit your lot details including: proposed lot name, lot size, vintage, varietal(s), appellation(s), vineyard source(s), estimated bottling date, estimated release date, winery and winemaker name(s).
- Answer a short list of questions to assist our copy editor with your lot description for the website and catalog: What is the special story behind your proposed barrel auction lot name? What should be highlighted about the vineyards and growers selected? What flavor profile can bidders expect to find in the finished wine?
- Utilize the “Save & Resume” Later feature to share the form with other team members to assist with completion.
Need inspiration? See the amazing auction lots submitted in previous years >
Vintner Champion Meeting & Social Hour
Thursday, January 23, 2025, 4:30-6:00pm at Region
Please mark your calendar and we recommend having at least one member of your team attend this kick-off meeting, hosted at Region in Sebastopol. We will share what’s new for the 2025 Sonoma County Barrel Auction, with a more casual format and social hour.
NEW THIS YEAR:
Trade attendees will have the opportunity to invite their top customers to join them at the SoCoBA events, creating even more market demand for these wines along with meaningful connections with our vintner community.
Your team will be provided with a Vintner Participation Booklet at the Vintner Champion Meeting with detailed information to make the most of your participation, printed courtesy of our SoCoBA Presenting Sponsor, American AgCredit.
Complimentary Cork Offer
Longtime partners G3 Enterprises and DIAM Closures are generously providing barrel auction winery participants with complimentary DIAM30 corks for use in their auction lot wine. Vintners may choose from the following cork options on the lot submission form:
Enter to Win a Complimentary Barrel
Participating vintners will be entered to win a complimentary Tonnellerie CADUS barrel of their choice for this year’s or a future barrel lot cuvée. The drawing for the winning vintner will be held at the Vintner Champion Meeting.
The team from Tonnellerie CADUS will work directly with the lucky winner to best match the contribution the winemaker is seeking for their Never Before, Never Again cuvée. Selection of the most appropriate wood, treatment(s), and toasting is at the winemaker’s discretion. Tastings of samples from current CADUS clientele can be arranged, if desired.
SoCoBA Event Logistics, Parking & Arrival for Vintners
Auction Events May 1-2, 2025
#SoCoBA Participation Reminders
- One attendee for each event must include a Winemaker or Winery Principal that will be there for the entirety from 11:00am – 4:00pm.
- We ask that you don’t leave your lot tasting and auction tables unattended, so please plan accordingly for the duration of the events. For Auction day, we ask that you stay seated at your table after your lot sells, through the end of the auction, as a courtesy to all of our visiting trade & media attendees and other participating vintners. Thank you!
- When being seated at auction tables, please allow your trade guests a position with a view of the stage so they can see the auction lot slides on screen, and the auctioneer can easily spot and engage them as they are bidding.
- Please plan for your winery attendees to be on site from 10:00am – 4:30pm for the Lot Tasting Preview Event and for Auction Day, to check-in and be ready to greet trade and media guests when they arrive, and to bid them farewell as they depart.
Auction Attire
There’s no need for formal attire, don your business casual outfits, Sonoma County style for these outdoor events. Please note that Friday’s barrel auction will be held in a tent on the lawn, so please consider your footwear choices accordingly.
Confirmed Media Attendees
We will provide a list of our confirmed media with their photos and short bios for you to easily identify and connect with them during the SoCoBA events.
We appreciate your participation and support!
Sonoma County Barrel Auction (SoCoBA) is produced by Sonoma County Vintners and presented by American AgCredit. Proceeds raised from SoCoBA assist in creating Sonoma County Vintners marketing programs and initiatives that support the wine trade and community.
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