NYWGF is developing a third-party certification for sustainably grown grapes and wine. The basis for this certification will be the VineBalance Guide to Sustainable Viticulture, a grower self-assessment workbook codeveloped by the Cornell Cooperative Extension and Soil and Water Conservation Committee of the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets in 2007. This workbook is widely applied across the state, but it lacks a system of third-party verification and logo for special labeling. Growers who achieve certification will be permitted to use the logo for direct-to-consumer marketing. This market-based approach will provide a continuous incentive for value-added producers to purchase sustainable grapes and increase the visibility of sustainable wines in the marketplace.
NYWGF is looking to partner with a consultant to write a marketing plan for the certification program. The goal of this project is to develop a marketing plan that addresses the needs of grape growers and farm wineries as well as the preferences of Millennial consumers who drive the premium for certified sustainable wines. Project activities will include market research that focuses on Millennial wine consumers and the sustainable grape commodity market. Deliverables will include a certification program positioning statement and strategy, promotional campaign playbook, and certification logo style guide.
We invite you to review the Request for Proposals and respond if you feel the scope fits your company’s strengths. The full RFP and information can be found HERE.
Proposals should be submitted electronically to:
Whitney Beaman
Sustainability Program Manager
Email: [email protected]
Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to [email protected] no later than 5:00PM on Monday, November 1st, 2021.
All proposals are due by 5:00PM on Monday, November 8th, 2021.
NYWGF reserves the right not to award a contract if, in the opinion of the evaluators, no suitable proposal is received. NYWGF is not liable for any costs associated with any company’s response to this RFP.
