(Forbes) - If you open a bottle of Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir you’re opening a wine that represents the collective effort and energy of a consumer-owned winery. WVV made its first public offering in 1989 with 1000 owners investing an average of $1500 each. Today the company has over 9000 wine loving investors and is listed on the NASDAQ (WVVI).

With the latest infusion of wine-loving cash the company is planning to open Pambrun in the Walla Walla Valley –to make Cabernet Sauvignon, and they just recently opened Elton, a small boutique winery in Oregon’s Eola Hills.

Founder and CEO Jim Bernau might easily be called a visionary as he has wisely tapped into a serious consumer desire to be truly engaged in the wine experience. These investors are not well-heeled, deep-pocketed millionaires, but “mom and pop” wine enthusiasts interested in a modest but meaningful investment in the wine business. Indeed these stock owners invest more than just their cash, they show up at events with shovels ready to plant vineyards, they work in the bottling line putting on labels, and they pour in the tasting rooms. And, the nicest part is that Willamette Valley Vineyards makes a really great Pinot Noir.