Introduction

Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc. (the "Company") was formed in May 1988 to produce and sell premium, super premium and ultra premium varietal wines (i.e., wine which sells at retail prices of $7 to $14, $14 to $20 and over $20 per 750 ml bottle, respectively). Willamette Valley Vineyards was originally established as a sole proprietorship by Oregon winegrower Jim Bernau in 1983. The Company is headquartered in Turner, Oregon, where the Company's Turner Vineyard and Winery are located on 75 acres of Company-owned land adjacent to Interstate 5, approximately two miles south of Salem, Oregon. The Company's wines are made from grapes grown at its vineyards (the...