The Wine Institute is a trade organization of California winery members headquartered in San Francisco for the purpose of advancing the business interests of its member wineries. The Wine Institute keeps its members constantly informed and advised on the political, legal and social status of "anything important to the wine industry." The Wine Institute has no sales, marketing or production function, though outside critics often accuse it of "not doing a good job of helping member wineries with marketing or promotion." (Wine/People and Places)