Ellis James L 4

What Happened

Ellis James, a director of Willamette Valley Vineyards Inc., was granted 11,500 restricted shares (derivative award) on May 12, 2026. The Form 4 reports a price of $0.00 for the award (transaction code A), i.e., this was a compensation grant rather than an open‑market purchase or sale.

Key Details

• Transaction date: May 12, 2026; Form 4 filed May 26, 2026 (appears later than the usual 2-business‑day Form 4 deadline).
• Award size and price: 11,500 restricted shares reported at $0.00.
• Vesting schedule (per footnote): 3,834 shares vest on 5/12/2027, 3,833 on 5/12/2028, and 3,833 on 5/12/2029, subject to continued service as a director.
• Change‑in‑control: All restricted shares vest immediately upon a "Change in Control" as defined in the company’s 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan.
• Shares owned after transaction: Not disclosed in the filing.
• Transaction type/code: Award/grant of restricted stock (derivative), code A.

Context

This is a standard director equity grant used for compensation and retention; it does not indicate an open‑market purchase or sale. The staggered vesting ties future value to continued board service, and the change‑in‑control clause accelerates vesting if the company is sold or undergoes a qualifying transaction. The late filing may be worth noting to investors tracking prompt insider reporting, but the grant itself is routine compensation.