Industry Leader to Celebrate Milestone During Annual Meetings this month
June 12, 2026 (Fresno, CA) — Allied Grape Growers (AGG), a California winegrape marketing cooperative, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this month, marking three-quarters of a century of representing California winegrape growers and helping shape the California wine industry.
This milestone will be recognized during the organization’s annual membership meetings on June 23 in Fresno and June 25, 2026, in Rohnert Park, which will bring together grower-members, winery representatives, industry partners, and agricultural leaders from throughout the state.
Founded in 1951 by a group of grape growers seeking greater stability and market access, AGG represents hundreds of winegrape growers across California’s major winegrowing regions. AGG plays a critical role in connecting winegrape growers with grape buyers, providing essential marketing services. In addition, AGG provides market intelligence, participates in industry advocacy, and offers grower support on a number of levels.
“Celebrating 75 years is a reflection of the strength and resilience of California winegrape growers,” said Jeff Bitter, president of Allied Grape Growers. “Our organization was founded on the belief that growers are stronger when they work together. That principle remains as relevant today as it was in 1951, as our industry navigates changing consumer trends, challenging market conditions, and an unfavorable policy environment.”
Throughout its history, AGG has helped winegrape growers adapt to significant changes and challenges in the wine business, including shifts in varietal demand, increasing global competition, changing consumption patterns, and increasingly unfavorable vineyard economics. The cooperative has also served as a trusted source of market information during both periods of industry growth and times of oversupply.
A highlight of the meetings will be Bitter’s state of the industry presentation, where he will provide attendees with an analysis of current wine market conditions, industry trends, and the outlook for California winegrape growers. The meetings will also feature a commemorative video honoring the growers, leaders, employees, and industry partners, whose contributions have helped shape the organization and California’s wine industry since 1951.
Since its founding, Allied Grape Growers has remained guided by its core values of Quality, Integrity, and Stability. These principles have helped the cooperative build enduring relationships with growers and wineries while maintaining its position as a leading voice for California winegrape growers.
