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T.A.S.T.E. Verified Experience Certification Standards

1. Purpose

The T.A.S.T.E. Verified Experience designation identifies vineyard-based wine experiences that are small-scale, transparent, and directly hosted by independent micro-wineries.

This designation serves as a consumer-facing signal of quality, authenticity, and direct engagement with the producer, while supporting the visibility and long-term viability of small, family-run wine businesses. Not all MWG member experiences qualify as T.A.S.T.E. Verified Experiences. However, all MWG members are required to offer a minimum of three (3) approved T.A.S.T.E. Verified Experiences within a 12-month period.

Approved experiences will be listed on the MWG website and clearly identified on the member’s respective website through written designation and/or use of the official seal.

2. MWG Membership — Eligibility Requirements

To qualify to offer a T.A.S.T.E. Verified Experience, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Produce fewer than 5,000 cases of wine annually
  • Be independently owned and operated with no corporate backing
  • Maintain a direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales model, where a majority of wine is sold directly to consumers
  • Be a member in good standing of the Micro-Winery Guild (MWG)
  • Own, lease, control, or maintain a direct working relationship with vineyard sources used in production, with demonstrable knowledge of farming practices
  • Operate in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations (including, but not limited to, TTB licensing, ABC licensing, and local permitting requirements)

3. T.A.S.T.E. Verified Experience Standards

MWG administers the T.A.S.T.E. Verified Experience certification program as an independent standards and certification system. MWG itself does not render the certified experiences. All T.A.S.T.E. Verified Experiences must meet the following five (5) core standards. Standards will be applied uniformly to all applicants. Certification determinations are based solely on compliance with published standards

T — Terroir

  • The experience must take place at: 
    • A vineyard owned, leased, or controlled by the producer; or 
    • A property legally authorized for vineyard-based tasting experiences under applicable regulations 
  • The experience must include a clearly defined vineyard component, such as: 
    • A vineyard walk, tour, or site-specific explanation of farming practices, terroir, or growing conditions 
  • The vineyard component must be actively presented to guests and may not be incidental or implied

A — Artisan

  • Wines presented must be produced in small lots by the applicant winery
  • The experience must be hosted in real time by the winemaker, grower, or an owner of the business
  • Information shared must reflect firsthand knowledge of production, farming practices, and the winery’s operations

S — Small-Scale

  • The experience must be limited in size to enable direct, personal interaction between the host and guests

  • Large-scale commercial events (e.g., festivals, concerts, or commercial events) are not eligible under this designation even if they are hosted at a vineyard

T — Trust

  • All representations made to guests must be accurate, transparent, and not misleading, including:

    • Vineyard sourcing

    • Production practices

  • The experience must not misrepresent:

    • Ownership

    • Production scale

    • Affiliations with other brands, facilities, or entities

E — Engagement

  • The experience must include at least one meaningful engagement component, such as:

    • Educational content related to viticulture or winemaking

    • A hands-on or participatory activity (e.g., vineyard work, winemaking demonstration, or guided sensory exercise)

4. Member Responsibilities

To maintain eligibility, approved members must:

  • Host a minimum of three (3) T.A.S.T.E. Verified Experiences within a 12-month period
    • List all approved experiences on the MWG platform or designated channels
    • Ensure that all public descriptions accurately reflect the experience delivered
    • Use the T.A.S.T.E. Verified Experience seal only in connection with approved experiences

5. Application & Approval Process

  • As part of onboarding, MWG members are educated on T.A.S.T.E. Verified Experience standards
  • By submitting an experience for listing on the MWG website or a member’s respective website, members attest that the experience complies with all published standards
  • MWG may conduct reasonable audits or request supporting records to verify compliance. MWG reserves the right to request:
    • A description of the experience
    • Supporting documentation, if needed, to verify compliance
    • Experiences are listed on the MWG platform at the discretion of the member, subject to compliance with these standards

6. Ongoing Compliance

  • Approved members must:
    • Maintain compliance with all MWG standards at all times
    • Maintain compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
    • Notify MWG of any material changes to their business or experience format
    • Participate in periodic review or re-certification as determined by MWG

MWG reserves the right to request documentation or clarification to verify ongoing compliance.

7. Enforcement & Revocation

Failure to meet these standards may result in:

  • A warning and opportunity to correct
  • Suspension of the designation
  • Revocation of the right to use the T.A.S.T.E. Verified Experience seal Misuse of the mark, including unauthorized or misleading use, may result in immediate revocation.

8. Use of the Mark

  • The T.A.S.T.E. Verified Experience seal may only be used:
    • In connection with approved experiences
    • In accordance with MWG brand and usage guidelines
    • If a member offers approved T.A.S.T.E. Verified Experiences, the seal may appear on broader marketing materials (e.g.,  website homepage, printed marketing materials), provided it does not imply that all offerings are verified
    • The mark may not be altered, misrepresented, or used in a misleading manner

9. Governance

The Micro-Winery Guild reserves the right to:

  • Interpret and apply these standards
  • Update or refine these standards as needed to maintain the integrity of the designation
  • Make final determinations regarding eligibility, approval, interpretation, and enforcement of both MWG membership and  T.A.S.T.E. Verified Experiences

Looking for Something Else?

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