Wein and other events, as a trainee in 2. Senior Project Manager in 2. In that role, he was in charge of growing the Pro. Wein family in China Shanghai and South East Asia Singapore. Since becoming director, he has assumed responsibility for Pro. Weins global portfolio of wine and spirits events, working tirelessly to continue to expand and advance the shows prominence and importance. Deborah Brenner With a background in the male dominated fields of marketing, television and tech, Deborah Brenner found her passion after a chance trip to Napa, becoming enamored with the untold stories of women toiling without recognition in the wine world. After that fateful journey, Brenner dedicated herself to raising the profile of women in wine and spirits, penning a collection of stories in 2. Women of the Vine Inside the World of Women Who Make, Taste, and Enjoy Wine. Preferment. The book inspired a two day symposium that has since grown into a full service organization, Women of the Vine Spirits, which aims to provide education, advocacy and mentorship to women throughout the beverage industry in the United States. In 2. 01. 7, the organization expanded into Europe, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Jim Clerkin. President and CEO of Mot Hennessy North America, the leading luxury wines, spirits and Champagne company in the world, Jim Clerkin has more than 3. He has taken Mot Hennessy to new heights under his leadership, with impressive revenue growth reported year over year. Clerkin oversees all business across Canada, Mexico and the U. S., managing of some of the worlds most famous wine and spirits brands, including Champagnes Dom Prignon, Krug, Mot Chandon, Ruinart and Veuve Clicquot and spirit brands Glenmorangie, Ardbeg, Belvedere and, of course, Hennessy. He is also part of the Global Executive Team of Mot Hennessy, as well as the Chairman of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. Leslie Rudd. Known for his Oakville estate winery, which opened in 1. Cabernet Sauvignon, Leslie Rudds influence in the food and beverage world reaches far past the bottle, in Napa and beyond. He grew the family business, Standard Beverage Corporation, into the largest alcohol wholesaler in Kansas, before turning his keen business sense to the food world. The onetime Dean Deluca owner is responsible for the launch of PRESS Restaurant in St. Helena, the renovation of Oakville Grocery and the launch of Distillery No. Carolyn Wente. If youve ever enjoyed a glass of California Chardonnay, you probably have the Wente family to thank, due to their pioneering work with clones. But this is not a family that rests on its laurels, as evidenced by Wente Vineyards CEO Carolyn Wente. Not only has she expanded their wine portfolio, but Wente has also been the driving force behind elevating the visitor experience, which includes concerts, a golf course and a renowned restaurant. Now, Wente Vineyards attracts wine loving guests from around the country and world. Lifetime Achievement Award. To be announcedAmerican Wine Pioneer. To be announcedWinemaker of the Year. Christophe Baron. As the vigneron of Cayuse in Walla Walla, Washington, Baron has had a profound effect on both the states and the nations wine industries. Cayuses 4. 5 acres planted on stony regional soils give Barons Syrahs, Cabernet Sauvignons, Grenaches and more their elegant mineral stamp. He was a champion of establishing the red hot The Rocks District of Milton Freewater AVA. Through his iconic Cayuse bottlings, as well as other releases under the Horsepower, No Girls and Hors Catgorie brand names, he has produced more than 5. Wine Enthusiast has rated at 9. Philippe Bascaules. Approachable, knowledgeable and renowned for making wines at the top houses on two continents, Bascaules is a winemaker with vision. He spent 2. 1 years working alongside the late Paul Pontallier at Chteau Margaux. Then he directed winemaking for Francis Ford Coppolas reconstructed Inglenook and created a 5. Today, he works for both Coppola and Corinne Mentzelopoulos, owner of Chteau Margaux, and he splits his time and inspiration between Rutherford and Bordeaux. Deirdre Heekin. Not only is Heekinwinemaker and proprietor of La Garagista winerysinglehandedly putting Vermont wines on the map, shes also proving that hybrid grape varieties can make serious wines. And shes doing it all using biodynamic farming practices with minimal intervention, both previously thought impossible in the harsh Vermont climate. Heekin is also the author of An Unlikely Vineyard The Education of a Farmer and Her Quest for Terroir. Hans Terzer. Master Winemaker for St. Michael Eppan has been cellar master since 1. Italy, whether for his Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris or Gewrztraminer. The Alto Adige pioneer is always eagerly experimenting in an effort to improve the quality and harmony of his wines. Terzer was one of the first South Tyrol winemakers to use barriques. His intuition created the winerys most prized line, Sanct Valentin, wines known for its minerality, bouquet and elegant structure. Arnaud Weyrich. Patience and passion are the hallmarks of Weyrichs character and his wines, which are among some of the best sparklers that California has to offer. This native of Alsace first worked as an intern at Roederer Estate, the famed Champagne Houses Mendocino property. After working in France with the multinational retail company Groupe Promodes, Weyrich returned to Roederer seven years later, with a deeper respect for the 2. California gives him. Wine Executive of the Year. Jeff Dubiel. As chief marketing officer for The Wine Groupan independent, management owned wine producerDubiel helps move palate pleasing, premium wines off the shelves with impressive speed. He arrived in 2. 01. Flipflop wines, which by 2. Ugo Fiorenzo. Managing Director of Campari Americathe wholly owned U. S. subsidiary of Gruppo CampariFiorenzo is an industry veteran of more than 2. He has held several leadership positions within Campari, and since his arrival in San Francisco in 2. Fiorenzo has helped make America Gruppo Camparis largest market. The U. S. accounted for nearly 5. Ryan Harris. Harris cut his teeth at Constellation Brands, LVMH and Jackson Family Wines before he became president of Domaine Serene Winery in Oregons Willamette Valley and Burgundys Chteau de la Cre. His marketing background has dovetailed perfectly with the vision of winery owners Ken and Grace Evenstad, who, like Harris, are champions of wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Antoine Leccia. This is Leccias 2. Advini, S. A., the highly respected French firm that produces, markets and distributes its wines both domestically and internationally, where Leccia is now president and CEO. Since Leccia has taken the reins, Advini has opened agencies across the world to provide administrative, marketing and sales supports for its customers. Roger Nabedian. As senior vice president and general manager for E.