Presented by the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association
January 7, 2025 – Rob McMillan, EVP and Founder of Silicon Valley Bank Wine Division, a division of First Citizens Bank, has been awarded the celebrated 2024 Monteith Trophy by the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association. The perpetual sterling silver trophy is one of the most celebrated awards in the US wine industry.
For the past three decades at Silicon Valley Bank, McMillan has focused on the wine industry, and is responsible for leadership and brand building, producing research and opinion pieces, establishing new winery relationships, and providing strategic guidance to the bank’s clients.
McMillan’s insight is widely sought by winery owners, journalists, entrepreneurs, and investors for his views on business and strategy. As the author of the State of the Wine Industry Report, an annual compendium covering past, present and future developments in the American wine trade, he calls on his expertise to share this information in what the New York Times describes as “probably the most influential analysis of its kind.”
In 1992, McMillan devised the plan for Silicon Valley Bank Wine Division. While establishing it from the startup phase in 1994 through the complete implementation of his vision, Rob also held the role of executive manager of the SVB Commercial Division and served on the Bank’s Executive Managing Committee.
The Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association (ASWA), a volunteer organization, was established in 1973 and promotes the wines of the eastern United States. The group advocates planting world-class vinifera wine grapes and quality hybrid and native varietals in order to produce outstanding commercial wines. Their mission is to grow and support a thriving wine industry along the eastern seaboard. Nominated by Virginia winemaking consultant and ASWA Board Member Tom Payette, Payette declares, “Rob McMillan’s persistence in our grape and wine industry is awesome and I respect and appreciate his helping us along.” Board President Grant Crandall states, “McMillan has been a major force on behalf of the entire wine industry nationwide and we on the East Coast greatly appreciate his outstanding contributions.”
The perpetual sterling silver Monteith Trophy is considered one of the most elegant and prestigious awards in the US wine industry. Since 1980, it has been presented to individuals or organizations that have made exceptional contributions to the development and sustainability of the American wine industry. Past honorees have included Jim Tresize, Margrit Biever Mondavi, Robert P. “Bobby” Koch, Fred Frank, Dr. Joseph A. Fiola, and Dave McIntyre. More information on the Trophy can be found at https://aswawines.org/aswa-awards/
The Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association promotes American wine produced in the seventeen eastern states: all those that touch the Atlantic Ocean plus West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Vermont. This trade organization was founded in 1973 as the Vinifera Wine Growers Association, and renamed in 2008 to reflect an expanded regional focus. ASWA’s mission is to increase awareness of the fine wines of the Atlantic seaboard through trade and consumer education. Members liaise with national, state, and regional wine organizations to identify opportunities to highlight the wines and winemakers working here.
