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.

About the Awards

Master Marketer

A person or business that has gone above and beyond to build great relationships with the local community. This person or business positively contributes to the fabric of life in the greater wine community of Paso Robles that makes it a better place to work and live.⁠

Unsung Hero

As 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.

Master Marketer

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.

It is exciting to announce the recipients of the 2025 Master Marketer, Unsung Hero, and Good Neighbor awards.

2025 Summer Award Winners

Master Marketer Justin Rapolas, Aaron Wines “Justin’s thoughtful marketing encourages visitors to form a true connection to the wines and people of Aaron Wines. His storytelling focuses on the experience and how wine makes people feel over hard wine facts, which makes people feel good about supporting not just Aaron Wines but Paso Robles Wine Country as a whole.”

Unsung Hero Ryan Kemp, Adelaida Cellars “Ryan Kemp has worked for Adelaida since 2016 and has worked up through the ranks and does everything. She makes wine, pours at events, does sales trips, talks on panels, and helps collect phenological data in the vineyard. She is also now doing this while starting a family and her own wine brand Terranean Wines with her husband Alex Kemp who is also a winemaker. She lives the wine lifestyle with a smile on her face!”

Good Neighbor Lars Bruinink and Kristina Horton, Toast Tours “Lars and Kristina’s positivity, passion, and friendly spirit are the epitome of Paso Hospitality. The dedication with which Kristina strives to ensure wine lovers are visiting the wineries best matched for their palates is how we get travelers to come back. Lars’ friendly, joyful, and energetic nature ensures that guests have an incredible day of tasting. Together the Toast Tours owners help make PRWC special for our visitors, and for those of us lucky to work with them.”