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2020 Wine Awards

July 14, 2020

For the second year in a row, we called for nominations for our Wine Awards from our membership. Meant to recognize individuals and organizations that excel, these awards will be rolled out twice a year. The coolest thing about these special awards, they are voted on by their peers!

We are happy to announce the recipients of the 2020 Good Neighbor, Master Marketer, and Unsung Hero awards.

Good Neighbor Award

This award is for a person or business that has gone above and beyond to build great relationships with the local community. Be it the wine community or others. This person or business contributes to the fabric of life in the Paso Robles area that makes it a better place to live. And the winner is,

Joe Barton & Steve Kroener of KROBĀR Craft Distillery

When COVID-19 began to shut everything down and change the way business is done, Joe and Steve saw a need and filled it! They stepped up and started making 80% alcohol in efforts to keep their staff and community safe during an unknown and scary time. They donated hundreds of bottles to local first responders and entities and beyond.

Master Marketer

New for this year, this award is meant for an innovative person or business that constantly thinks outside the box to creatively market their business and uniquely promote Paso Wine. This includes a cool ad campaign, a new innovative product, or maybe a creative program that is too good to not recognize. We’re looking for the vanguard. Raise a glass for the winner,

Maggie Tillman, Director of Sales and Marketing at Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery

Maggie successfully provides experiences that go beyond the tasting room. From launching an award-winning retro-trailer campsite in the vineyard to creating the uber-popular daily dose of dance on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, Maggie is a true master marketer. Maggie’s creative approach has made her one of the most sought-after wine hospitality speakers in the American wine industry.

Unsung Hero

The Unsung Hero award is for a good steward of Paso Wine, this person comes to work every day with a smile on their face and works hard to contribute to their team and their community, never asking to be recognized for his/her diligent efforts. This person quietly contributes and deserves a little spotlight. Put your hand together for 

Ian Herdman, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

Every successful winery in the county has an operations person who keeps the wheels on the bus and serves as a positive light for the entire organization. Ian Herdman is an example of just that. He starts each day bright and early making those around him feel energized and eager to contribute their best effort to the winery and he extends that energy into the Paso Robles wine community at large. Ian is the guy everyone wants overseeing their everyday goings-on. He is calm, organized, levelheaded, no-nonsense, and just gets it done. It’s always a pleasure to work with him on any project. He is truly making a big difference in Paso Robles, but in a quiet way.


Congratulations again to all the winners of the 2020 Wine Awards!  In December we will announce the winners for three more awards: Vineyard Worker, Cellar Worker, and Environmental Award.