James W.  Bernau net worth and biography

James Bernau Biography and Net Worth

This story begins like it did for many of us. Being served small amounts of wine at the dinner table by our parents. But in Jim's case, it was made by the first emigrating winemaker since Prohibition — UC Davis Graduate Richard Sommer, who believed it was in Oregon, not California where he would grow world-class Pinot Noir. Richard needed a lawyer to obtain the necessary licenses that the state hadn't issued in more than 30 years so he drove his pick-up truck into the small town of Roseburg to find himself a lawyer, and hired Jim's Dad. By 1963, Richard produced 200 gallons of wine.

First motivated by its effects more than its flavor, Jim began by fermenting Concord grape juice his Mom kept in the freezer guided by information on Fermentation in the family Encyclopedias, later graduating to Richard's grapes — hiding the bottles under the crawl spaces of the house.

While Jim's father wanted him to return from Willamette Law School to the family practice, Jim chose to pursue his interest in government and wine, representing the Oregon Winegrowers in the passage of the Oregon Wine Advisory Board for the research and promotion of the industry in 1981, his first piece of legislation as a young lobbyist.

In the same year, he began searching for vineyard land, found an old overgrown pioneer plum orchard in the Salem Hills and began planting Pinot Noir in 1983, watering his vines with 17 lengths of 75 foot garden hose he bought on special. Jim named it Willamette Valley Vineyards — later to become grandfathered into federal law when the American Viticultural Area was federally authorized.

While the vines were growing, Jim concentrated on helping Oregon Winegrowers by passing legislation on making wineries a permitted use on farmland, the direct shipment of wine, wine tastings in stores and restaurants, and later the establishment of the Oregon Wine Board. Jim's personal gift to Oregon State University established the first professorship for fermentation science in the nation.

His fellow winemakers recognized Jim's early work with the industry's Founder's Award followed by the Governor's Gold, presented by Oregon's four living Governors. His wines created quite a stir by when they appeared on the TV shows West Wing and Friends, and were later served at White House State dinners. Willamette Valley Vineyards was eventually listed among the top 100 wines in the world by Wine Spectator Magazine, named "One of America's Great Pinot Noir Producers" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine and was awarded "Winery of the Year" by Wine and Spirits Magazine.

The recognition Jim values most came from his fellow winegrowers whom he involved in creating the first system of environmental stewardship in American agriculture, the Low Impact Viticulture and Enology program, followed by awards presented by the Rainforest Alliance and the American Wine Society.

Jim believes among healthiest forms of business organization are those owned by the community. He conducted the first "crowd funding" in the nation to build his winery by obtaining permission from the Securities and Exchange Commission in 1988, resulting in a growing fabric of laws allowing community-based funding for small businesses. Willamette Valley Vineyards has grown to more than 19,000 wine enthusiast shareholders and is listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol WVVI and WVVIP.

In 2015, he co-founded a new division, Oregon Estate Vineyards, launching four new boutique wineries on some of Oregon's most intriguing vineyard sites, including The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater in the Walla Walla AVA, to continue to share the Oregon wine story. 

In 2019, Jim Bernau and Justin King of King Estate Winery accepted the Innovator of the Year award at the Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards for Oregon Solidarity, a collaboration wine to support Rogue Valley winegrowers whose contracts were abruptly canceled.

If you ask Jim where his favorite places to visit, he will tell you the vineyard or hiking a Cascade trail. If you ask him how long he has worked in the wine industry, he will tell you that he can only remember ever working two days. Maybe someday he will tell us which two days those were.

What is James W. Bernau's net worth?

The estimated net worth of James W. Bernau is at least $1.76 million as of June 16th, 2023. Mr. Bernau owns 355,614 shares of Willamette Valley Vineyards stock worth more than $1,760,289 as of March 28th. This net worth estimate does not reflect any other assets that Mr. Bernau may own. Additionally, Mr. Bernau receives an annual salary of $392,200.00 as CEO at Willamette Valley Vineyards. Learn More about James W. Bernau's net worth.

How old is James W. Bernau?

Mr. Bernau is currently 70 years old. There are 2 older executives and no younger executives at Willamette Valley Vineyards. Learn More on James W. Bernau's age.

What is James W. Bernau's salary?

As the CEO of Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc., Mr. Bernau earns $392,200.00 per year. Learn More on James W. Bernau's salary.

How do I contact James W. Bernau?

The corporate mailing address for Mr. Bernau and other Willamette Valley Vineyards executives is 8800 ENCHANTED WAY S E, TURNER OR, 97392. Willamette Valley Vineyards can also be reached via phone at (503) 588-9463. Learn More on James W. Bernau's contact information.

Has James W. Bernau been buying or selling shares of Willamette Valley Vineyards?

James W. Bernau has not been actively trading shares of Willamette Valley Vineyards during the last ninety days. Most recently, on Tuesday, June 20th, James W. Bernau bought 6,588 shares of Willamette Valley Vineyards stock. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $5.85 per share, with a total value of $38,539.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 362,202 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,118,881.70. Learn More on James W. Bernau's trading history.

Are insiders buying or selling shares of Willamette Valley Vineyards?

During the last year, Willamette Valley Vineyards insiders bought shares 2 times. They purchased a total of 6,700 shares worth more than $39,195.00. The most recent insider tranaction occured on June, 20th when CEO James W Bernau bought 6,588 shares worth more than $38,539.80. Insiders at Willamette Valley Vineyards own 8.0% of the company. Learn More about insider trades at Willamette Valley Vineyards.

Information on this page was last updated on 6/20/2023.

James W. Bernau Insider Trading History at Willamette Valley Vineyards

Transaction DateBuy/SellNumber of SharesAverage Share PriceTotal TransactionShares Held After TransactionDetails
6/20/2023Buy6,588$5.85$38,539.80362,202View SEC Filing Icon  
6/16/2023Buy112$5.85$655.20355,614View SEC Filing Icon  
10/11/2021Sell6,641$13.53$89,852.73View SEC Filing Icon  
10/8/2021Sell14,330$12.77$182,994.10View SEC Filing Icon  
9/1/2021Sell448$12.75$5,712.00376,921View SEC Filing Icon  
8/30/2021Sell558$12.75$7,114.50View SEC Filing Icon  
8/25/2021Sell249$12.75$3,174.75View SEC Filing Icon  
8/23/2021Sell2,053$12.75$26,175.75386,420View SEC Filing Icon  
5/26/2021Sell17,800$14.00$249,200.00405,673View SEC Filing Icon  
5/18/2021Sell17,200$13.76$236,672.00422,973View SEC Filing Icon  
1/25/2021Buy2,959$6.74$19,943.66419,567View SEC Filing Icon  
1/22/2021Buy312$6.61$2,062.32419,567View SEC Filing Icon  
1/12/2021Buy729$6.32$4,607.28419,255View SEC Filing Icon  
4/11/2019Sell13,100$7.00$91,700.00431,527View SEC Filing Icon  
4/9/2019Sell899$7.10$6,382.90431,898View SEC Filing Icon  
4/5/2019Sell627$7.10$4,451.70431,898View SEC Filing Icon  
4/3/2019Sell401$7.10$2,847.10432,526View SEC Filing Icon  
7/13/2018Sell3,258$8.30$27,041.40433,046View SEC Filing Icon  
7/9/2018Sell4,521$8.34$37,705.14440,605View SEC Filing Icon  
7/6/2018Sell4,392$8.34$36,629.28440,605View SEC Filing Icon  
6/22/2018Sell3,882$8.25$32,026.50440,705View SEC Filing Icon  
6/18/2018Sell11,748$8.25$96,921.00452,597View SEC Filing Icon  
6/15/2018Sell7,686$8.25$63,409.50452,597View SEC Filing Icon  
6/13/2018Sell3,855$8.25$31,803.75452,597View SEC Filing Icon  
6/11/2018Sell522$8.25$4,306.50457,553View SEC Filing Icon  
6/8/2018Sell347$8.25$2,862.75457,553View SEC Filing Icon  
6/6/2018Sell6,404$8.25$52,833.00457,900View SEC Filing Icon  
5/29/2018Sell1,401$8.30$11,628.30465,205View SEC Filing Icon  
1/16/2018Sell5,881$8.02$47,165.62477,634View SEC Filing Icon  
11/29/2017Sell4,689$8.28$38,824.92489,381View SEC Filing Icon  
11/27/2017Sell3,145$8.30$26,103.50489,381View SEC Filing Icon  
10/10/2017Sell794$8.00$6,352.00View SEC Filing Icon  
10/9/2017Sell694$8.00$5,552.00489,581View SEC Filing Icon  
10/6/2017Sell1,306$8.00$10,448.00View SEC Filing Icon  
10/2/2017Sell630$8.00$5,040.00493,371View SEC Filing Icon  
8/30/2017Sell2,607$8.00$20,856.00493,581View SEC Filing Icon  
8/29/2017Sell6,438$8.01$51,568.38496,745View SEC Filing Icon  
8/24/2017Sell3,673$8.01$29,420.73504,099View SEC Filing Icon  
8/21/2017Sell3,906$8.09$31,599.54504,405View SEC Filing Icon  
7/6/2016Sell15,000$8.08$121,200.00497,934View SEC Filing Icon  
6/23/2016Sell7,500$8.41$63,075.00507,135View SEC Filing Icon  
6/22/2016Sell12,000$8.60$103,200.00502,177View SEC Filing Icon  
10/1/2015Buy2,410$4.15$10,001.502,410View SEC Filing Icon  
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James W. Bernau Buying and Selling Activity at Willamette Valley Vineyards

This chart shows James W Bernau's buying and selling at Willamette Valley Vineyards by year and by quarter.

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Willamette Valley Vineyards Company Overview

Willamette Valley Vineyards logo
Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc. produces and sells wine in the United States and internationally. It primarily offers Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Gruner Veltliner, Rose, Brut, Brut Rose, and Riesling branded wines under the Willamette Valley Vineyards label; Semi-Sparkling Muscat branded wine under the Tualatin Estate Vineyards label; Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, Malbec, The Griffin, and Viognier branded wines under the Griffin Creek label; and Brut, Brut Rose, and Blanc de Blancs under the Domaine Willamette label. The company also provides Pinot Noir and Chardonnay branded wine under the Elton label; Chrysologue, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon branded wine under the Pambrun label; and Frontiere Syrah, Lisette Rose, Graviére Syrah, Voyageur Syrah, Bourgeois Grenache, and Voltigeur Viognier branded wine under the Maison Bleue label, as well as offers wines under the Natoma, Pere Ami, and Metis labels. It owns and leases approximately 1,018 acres of land. The company markets and sells its wine products directly through sales at the winery; and mailing lists, as well as through distributors and wine brokers. Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc. was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Turner, Oregon.
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Today's Range

Now: $5.24
Low: $4.87
High: $5.24

50 Day Range

MA: $5.14
Low: $5.01
High: $5.26

2 Week Range

Now: $5.24
Low: $4.63
High: $6.59

Volume

6,425 shs

Average Volume

2,995 shs

Market Capitalization

$25.99 million

P/E Ratio

N/A

Dividend Yield

N/A

Beta

0.7