2025 Rich Smith Award of Excellence Nomination

About the Award

Richard (Rich) Smith, founder of Valley Farm Management, Paraiso Vineyards and Smith Family Wines in California's Santa Lucia Highlands wine region, was an ardent family man and a successful grape grower, winery owner and respected colleague. He was a highly effective, collegial and tireless leader whose significant and selfless contributions of time, energy and funds helped to shape public policy and scientific research to advance the American grape and wine industry. He passed away in December 2015. Thus, 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of Rich's passing.

Three of the organizations Rich helped to establish—the National Grape Research Alliance (NGRA), WineAmerica and Winegrape Growers of America (WGA)—annually join with the Smith Family to bestow the Rich Smith Award of Excellence. It recognizes an industry representative who exemplifies the passion, commitment and collaboration Rich was known for and who similarly impacts the industry. For each organization, it is our highest and most coveted award.

To make a nomination for this special 10th-anniversary Rich Smith Award, please complete and submit the form below by October 30, 2024. The recipient will be named at the WGA Leadership Luncheon on January 29, 2025, in Sacramento, CA.

Past Rich Smith Award Winners
2017 - John Martini, Anthony Road Wine Company
2018 - Pete Downs, Family Winemakers of California
2019 - Jerry Lohr, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines
2020 - Jim Trezise, WineAmerica
2021 - Donniella (Donnie) Winchell, Ohio Wine Producers Association
2022 - Thomas (Tom) Davenport, National Grape Cooperative (retired)
2023 - Marty Clubb, L’Ecole No 41
2024 - Nick Dokoozlian, Gallo
1.Nominee Info
Please provide: 1) your nominee's full name (first and last name), 2) title, 3) company, and 4) their email address.(Required.)
2.Eligibility
To be eligible for the Rich Smith Award, nominees must satisfy the following criteria:
- Geography: This award may be presented to any person (including foreign nationals) living and working in the U.S. whose contributions have benefited the American grape and wine industry.
- Membership Status: The recipient may, but need not be, a current or former member of any of the three sponsoring organizations: WineAmerica, WGA or NGRA.
- Grape and Wine Industry Role: Nominees may be grape growers, processors, winemakers, viticulturists and vineyard managers, company principals, administrators of trade associations or commissions, etc.

Please acknowledge that your nominee meets these eligibility criteria.(Required.)
3.Why Your Nominee?
Nominees for the Rich Smith Award must exemplify the kind of passion, commitment and collaboration Rich was known for, such as:
  • Fostering an atmosphere of collegiality and collaboration
  • Nurturing a community of grape and wine industry experts
  • Working in harmony to address common issues or opportunities
  • Working as a change agent: creating systematic, positive change through research, public policy, consumer awareness and/or volunteerism
  • Displaying leadership in the grape and wine industry
  • Demonstrating support for diversity and community
With these qualities in mind, please summarize what inspired you to choose your nominee. Examples could include his/her involvement in causes or organizations and/or achievements that have benefited the industry. If you'd like to email a document, send it to hello@graperesearch.org. (If emailing, please note that here.)(Required.)
4.Biographical Info
Please provide a link to your nominee's web-based bio (e.g., LinkedIn or company website) so that reviewers may have as full a picture as possible of your nominee's career, accomplishments and service to the grape and wine industry. Alternately, you may email your nominee's bio or resume to hello@graperesearch.org. (If emailing, please note that here.)(Required.)
5.Nominator Info
Please provide your full name and email address in case we need to follow up. Don't worry, we will maintain your anonymity as nominator.(Required.)
6.Something Else?
If you have a question or comment, please share. Or if you have more nomination information than what this online form would allow, note here that you will follow up with an email to hello@graperesearch.org.
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