As has become a January tradition, Wine Industry Advisor has again chosen 10 individuals from within the wine industry who showcase leadership, innovation, determination and inspiration — both within the industry and in society at large — as its Most Inspiring People honorees.
These individuals were selected from more than 100 nominations submitted by WIA members last November. It wasn’t easy, but the editorial team zeroed in on people who, they felt, have positively impacted the U.S. wine culture (and beyond) over the past year.
Below are our 2025 Most Inspiring People, in (mostly) alphabetical order. Thank you for the commitment, passion and motivation you inspire in our industry each day.
—Alexandra Russell, Managing Editor
Editor’s Note: One feature profile will be released per day for the next 10 business days. Links to full articles will activate as they’re published.
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Linda Parker Sanpei — Elevating the Vision for Paso Robles
Linda Parker Sanpei’s deep understanding of wine marketing and public relations comes from more than 20 years of hands-on experience.
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Tanya Martin — Growing Brands Through Fire and Frost
Tanya Martin has, on repeated occasions, proven that she not only can perform well under pressure, but that she can come up with creative solutions that end up serving and inspiring large swaths of the wine industry.
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Kirk Lokka — Building a Better Viticultural and Economic Future for Sonoma County
Lokka, in his trademark way, puts into clear words and actions what many in the wine industry perhaps intuit but haven’t quite managed to grasp and act on.
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Jen Locke — Steward of 1,000 Acres and the Legacies Among Them
Under Locke’s leadership, CWG has experienced remarkable growth and established itself as a disruptive force in the industry through its commitment to sustainable practices.
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Marian Leitner-Waldman — Designing Wine for the Modern Consumer
“We need to recognize that 97% of all wine volume bought and sold in the United States is less than 2 years old and consumed within 72 hours after purchase.” —Marian Leitner-Waldman
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Ren Harris — Statesman of Napa Valley
“Ren Harris is one of the most consequential leaders of what happened in the early years of the Napa Valley.” —John Trefethen
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Allison Jordan — A Collaborative Leader Driving Wine Sustainability
“I wear two hats,” Jordan explains, “but it’s really about us all working together to find best practices and receive credit for the incredible work our industry has done.”
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Polly Hammond — Driving Growth Through Strategic Digital Outreach
Hammond admits that, in addition to being passionate about providing wineries with a digital funnel for sales, she is “obsessed” with growing those sales and analyzing them.
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Christopher Czarnecki — Foraging for Success and Elevating Oregon’s Wine and Culinary Scene
Since 2006, Czarnecki has hosted the largest annual Oregon Wine Industry Appreciation Party, a tasting and networking event, where winemakers, tasting room staff, owners and cellar rats gather
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Heidi Bridenhagen — Opening Doors for Women in Wine
Says Bridenhagen, “We are trying to change minds and change the industry. We are fighting for equality in the kitchen, and for greater awareness of food sustainability.”
