---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001199835-25-000004"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "WVVI"
cik: "0000838875"
company_name: "WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS INC"
filed_at: "2025-01-06T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-28T11:49:19.042341+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Willamette Valley Vineyards begins search for new CEO; Bernau to remain President and Chair

## Summary
- James Bernau will step down as CEO once a successor is found; he will remain President and Chair.
- Company cites rapidly changing wine market and need for additional leadership and sales staff.
- Bernau, 71, states he needs to share the rigorous market travel required after more than 40 years.
- Winery has grown to over 260,000 cases annual production and 1,000+ acres of estate vineyards.
- Resumes for the CEO position should be sent to VP of HR Brittany Galego.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001199835-25-000004
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: WVVI
- cik: 0000838875
- company_name: WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS INC
- filed_at: 2025-01-06T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/838875/000119983525000004/0001199835-25-000004-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/838875/000119983525000004/wvvi-8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001199835-25-000004
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001199835-25-000004.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001199835-25-000004.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  James Bernau changed role as Chief Executive Officer at WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS INC.
  - Action: discontinue
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: James Bernau, the Company’s current President and Chief Executive Officer, intends to discontinue as Chief Executive Officer once a new Chief Executive Officer is appointed
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/838875/000119983525000004/0001199835-25-000004-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.