Portland, OR, February 4, 2025 – Twelve outstanding individuals were recognized today with an Oregon Wine Industry Award at the 21st annual Oregon Wine Symposium. Each year, industry members are nominated by peers and awarded for their contributions to the Oregon wine industry. The awards were presented by Oregon Wine Board (OWB) Executive Director Gina Bianco and OWB Board Chair and Abacela Winery CEO Dr. Greg Jones. Full details about the winners can be found below.
Vineyard Excellence Award
The Vineyard Excellence Award was presented to four remarkable vineyard managers: Juan Cruz, Vineyard Manager for Stirling Wine Grapes, Inc., Jose Garcia, Vineyard Manager for Benton-Lane Winery, Jorge Loeza, Vineyard Supervisor for Chavez Craft Vineyards, and Artemio Tentzohua, Owner of Celestinos Vineyard Maintenance. Juan has more than 15 years of dedicated service at Stirling and exemplifies the expertise and commitment required to grow premium wine grapes in Oregon. Known for his respect, warmth, and deep understanding of vineyard management, he effectively bridges communication between owners and crews. His hard work, inquisitiveness, and leadership have advanced winegrowing across multiple vineyards under his care. Jose has been a vital part of Benton-Lane for 28 years, bringing dedication, positivity, and common-sense problem solving to everything he does. For the past 18 years, he’s managed the 317-acre estate, including 140 acres of vines, all while raising his four sons on the property—three of whom now work in viticulture. Jorge is a dedicated and hardworking vineyard manager who always brings a smile to his work, from pruning to harvest. His commitment to growth is evident in his plans to join the AHIVOY program, which aims to strengthen the Oregon wine community by empowering vineyard stewards through education, to further develop his skills. Jorge’s consistency, dedication, and willingness to learn make him an invaluable member of the winegrowing community. Artemio and his crew have been invaluable partners to many vineyards in the Umpqua Valley, contributing to many aspects of grape farming operations over the past several years. His deep knowledge of viticulture, combined with his ability to teach and lead his team, ensures high-quality work and efficiency. His team’s outstanding work during harvest also enables optimal pick decisions, making Artemio an essential and highly respected partner.
Industry Partner
Both Leda Garside, Services Manager for ¡Salud!, and Bob Hackett, Executive Director for Travel Southern Oregon, received Industry Partner Awards. Leda became the first full-time Services Manager for ¡Salud! in 1997, transforming it into a national model for community-based healthcare. Over nearly 30 years, Leda has revolutionized how care is delivered to vineyard stewards and their families, offering medical, dental, mental health, and social services. As she retires in 2024, Leda leaves a profound and lasting legacy in Oregon’s wine industry, forever changing how healthcare is delivered. Bob has been a tremendous advocate of the wineries and vineyards of Southern Oregon for many years. Bob recognizes the value and economic impact of the wine industry and has helped focus tourism efforts on wine to help it succeed, including coordinating and supporting multiple media group tours to the region each year to help the Umpqua and Rogue valleys gain recognition. Bob’s extensive tourism background and his kind and inclusive nature make him a joy to work with.
Outstanding Industry Leadership
Outstanding Industry Leadership Awards were given to Remy Drabkin, Owner and Winemaker for Remy Wines, Janie Brooks Heuck, Managing Director of Brooks Winery, and Morgen McLaughlin, Executive Director of the Willamette Valley Wineries Association.
Remy was born and raised in McMinnville, began making wine in high school, and grew into a talented winemaker, environmental advocate, and changemaker. She founded Wine Country Pride and Queer Wine Fest, the first U.S. wine festival celebrating the queer community. Remy Wines promotes inclusivity and accessibility and offers dignity and comfort for all. Beyond her industry contributions, Remy has served McMinnville for 11 years and is currently its mayor, further demonstrating her commitment to her community.
Janie has been at the helm of Brooks Winery for two decades and has led by championing sustainability and centering commitments to land and people. Janie led Brooks to become the world’s only winery to achieve B-Corp and Demeter Biodynamic certifications while also being a 1% for the Planet member. Janie’s leadership extends globally through her work with The Trotter Project, which brings culinary arts and agriculture education to underrepresented communities, and her efforts toward Porto Protocol membership, the wine industry’s climate action network. Her dedication to sustainability, hospitality, and winemaking excellence continues to elevate Oregon wine on the world stage.
Morgen has led the Willamette Valley Wineries Association since 2017 and has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to camaraderie and collaboration within the community. Known for executing innovative ideas that benefit the greater good, she inspires those around her to strive for excellence. Her strategic vision fosters growth and resilience while cultivating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. Morgen’s inspiring leadership continues to make a lasting impact on the Willamette Valley wine community.
Founders Award
Cliff Anderson, Owner of Anderson Family Vineyard, was awarded the Founders Award for his extraordinary contributions to the Oregon wine industry. With over 62 years of experience, his expertise is rooted in a tradition of organic farming learned from his grandfather, an organic farmer in Southern California. Over the decades, Cliff has championed organic and dry-farming practices and employed an old-world winemaking style—native yeast fermentations, gravity flow, and extended barrel aging. Cliff played a key role in naming the Dundee Hills AVA and his vision and dedication have significantly advanced the Willamette Valley’s standing as a world-renowned wine region.
Lifetime Achievement
Bill Stoller, Owner of Stoller Wine Group, was recognized for his Lifetime Achievement in Oregon wine. Bill has been a transformative force in the Oregon wine industry for over 35 years, beginning his journey on his family farm, now home to Stoller Family Estate. His leadership is rooted in a commitment to sustainability, earning certifications such as LIVE, Salmon Safe, and B Corp, and establishing the world’s first LEED Gold-certified winery. His contributions continue to inspire and elevate Oregon’s standing in the global wine community.
Board Service Award
Justin King, National Sales Manager for King Estate Winery, was recognized with a Board Service Award. Justin served on the Oregon Wine Board from 2019-2024, leading the Board as Chair for two years in 2022 and 2023, and worked with the industry to re-imagine Oregon Wine Month, establish the Industry Partnership Committee, and many other critical projects. The Board and the Industry would like to thank Justin for his years of thoughtful, responsive, and dedicated service to the Oregon wine industry.
About the Oregon Wine Board
The Oregon Wine Board is a semi-independent Oregon state agency managing marketing, research, and education initiatives that support and advance the Oregon wine and wine grape industry. The Board works on behalf of all Oregon wineries and independent growers throughout the state’s diverse winegrowing regions. To learn more, visit industry.oregonwine.org.
