The Community Wine Awards recognize individuals and organizations that make Paso Robles Wine Country a better place to live and work. Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance members nominated and voted on their peers for the awards. It is exciting to announce the recipients of the 2024 Master Marketer, Unsung Hero, and Good Neighbor awards.

Master Marketer Nancy Ulloa, Ulloa Cellars “Nancy is a force to be reckoned with in the world of winemaking. As a fierce, determined, and positive individual, you would be hard-pressed to find a person in Paso Robles that has yet to be captivated by her true spirit. Her authentic story and the way she narrates it, brings her brand front and center and is deserving of the Master Marketer category.”

Unsung Hero Cody Christensen, WineDirect “Cody is the embodiment of the ‘unsung hero’. Cody is not only an extremely kind and respectful colleague but is also a wiz and often, an unseen backbone within operations. His extensive knowledge on each winery’s specific needs and system details keep [WineDirect] functioning at optimum capacity, especially during the busy seasons. Cody is humble in his skillset and deserves this recognition.”

Good Neighbor Russell & Amy Baker, The Backyard on Thirteenth “Russell and Amy are the epitome of Good Neighbors. They are kind, thoughtful, and welcoming. Since opening in 2020, they have welcomed tourists and locals alike. They built a welcoming outdoor venue to meet friends, host parties, or just relax with a cold beverage. They offer their space, their “Backyard”, as a fundraising venue for non-profits and go above and beyond to support locals. They really lean into giving back to the community every day.” Photos by Joseph Taranto