Willamette Valley Vineyards teamed with Tiicker, a direct-to-shareholder loyalty and rewards platform, to maximize its 2021 vintage Preferred Stock Offering to fund growth.
Willamette is seeking the funds because it will be opening four new Tasting Rooms and Restaurants over the next two years, starting with a location in downtown Lake Oswego next spring, followed by three locations in the Vancouver, WA waterfront (summer 2022), Happy Valley, OR (late 2022), and downtown Bend, OR (2023).
Willamette investors who register and validate their ownership on TiiCKER can qualify for additional stock perks including complimentary wine tastings, discounted or complimentary admission to special events like VIP winery tours and blending experiences, priority to purchase limited-production wines and invitations to owner exclusive events.
But people have to know about the winery and the perks, and that’s where Tiicker comes in. Tiicker publicizes brands that offer shareholders perks and administers their perks program. Willamette Valley has engaged Tiicker to grow awareness of the company (www.TiiCKER.com/WVVIP) and its unique shareholder rewards program and perks.
Willamette Valley pioneered the community-funded business model in 1989 and again filed a prospectus last June to raise capital from its greatest affinity audience – wine enthusiasts. The Preferred Stock Offering (www.wvv.com/Ownership) is intended to fund expansion for the Oregon winery and its growing portfolio of tasting rooms, restaurants and production facilities.
“As I’ve always said: the healthiest businesses are ones owned by the community, and we are enthusiastic about our Owners and wine lovers investing in our growth,” said Willamette Valley Vineyards Founder and CEO, Jim Bernau. “Partnering with TiiCKER aligns perfectly with our mission and allows us to expand our reach to wine enthusiasts and foodies looking for an investment that not only fits their lifestyle, but also gives them the perks of ownership.”
WVVI was the first SEC-authorized, community-funded business in the nation, spurring a growing number of laws allowing for community-based funding of other small businesses across the country. Founder Jim Bernau’s vision of creating world-class wine via shared ownership inspired wine enthusiasts investing in common (WVVI) and preferred (WVVIP) stock, producing tens of thousands of enthusiastic owners to date. The Preferred Stock Offering (NASDAQ: WVVIP) is available at the price of $5.15 per share, offering an annual 4.27% dividend or wine credit with 15% more value until Dec. 31, 2021, unless sold out sooner.