Wine Grape Grower of the Year
Niels and Bimmer Udsen, Castoro Cellars

Bimmer and Niels’ journey in viticulture began with the founding of Castoro Cellars in 1983. Their commitment to sustainable, organic, and biodynamic farming practices was spearheaded by Bimmer who convinced Niels that organic farming was the right thing to do for many reasons. Seeing the benefits, Niels was on board and together they began certifying vineyards over 20 years ago.

Quietly and without much fanfare Bimmer and Niels’ dedication has manifested in the cultivation of 1,600 acres of vines spread across 13 diverse vineyards in the Paso Robles appellation making them the largest organic vineyardists on the Central Coast and perhaps California. The Udsen’s vineyards stand as a testament to their ethos, with all vineyards 100% SIP and CCOF certified. Their eco-conscious approach extends beyond the vines; the Udsens have implemented innovative practices with solar farms, direct sun to pump irrigating, electric tractors, and they brought the first custom wine services and mobile bottling trucks to the area.

Winemaker of the Year

McPrice Myers, McPrice Myers Wines

Over the last two decades, McPrice (Mac) Myers has been crafting wines of depth and balance that showcase the diverse terroir and climates of the Central Coast–from Santa Barbara to PasoRobles. Mac’s journey into the world of wine began at the age of 19 while working at a Trader Joe’s in Whittier, California. His obsession quickly grew, and by the time he was 21, he was visiting wine shops and tasting rooms throughout California, even volunteering vacation time from Trader Joe’s to work harvests and learn more about the craft. The first time he set foot in a barrel room, he knew winemaking was something he was destined to do. He took his life savings and at 25, bought a few used barrels and tried his hand at winemaking. He routinely quips: “I was just naïve enough to not know any better, and believe I could pull it off.” McPrice MyersWines all began with a single ton of Syrah grapes from Larner Vineyard in Santa Barbara County’s Ballard Canyon AVA. To this day, it remains his longest-standing sourced fruit contract. Thanks to a highly rated Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate rating, he promptly sold out of this wine, reinvested into his project, and grew the winery to what it is today.

Wine Industry Person of the Year
Molly Scott, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery

Since joining JUSTIN in 2011, Molly has helped expand production and propel the brand. Her role initially was focused on conducting research trials and certifying JUSTIN’s vineyards as sustainable. 13 years later, as the Senior Director of Grower and Community Relations, Molly oversees all grape sourcing for JUSTIN, Landmark Vineyards in Sonoma and Lewis Cellars in Napa. She spearheads the wine brands’ philanthropic efforts, notably the growing Wines Community Grants programs in Paso Robles, Sonoma, and Napa which support local non-profits and schools. Molly’s influence touches every corner of Paso Robles Wine Country and ensures Paso Robles thrives as a united and celebrated wine destination. She has also spearheaded initiatives such as the Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship, providing scholarships to students with parents in the wine industry and mentoring women in viticulture, uniting 30+ women in the Paso Robles community. She lends her expertise to boards, chairing the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, contributing to the California Association of Winegrape Growers, and co-chairing the Cal Poly Wine and Viticulture Advisory Board.

PRWCA Lifetime Achievement Award
Mike English, Tin City

Mike embraced life fully, facing challenges head-on with enormous confidence and resilience. With 75 years of rich experiences, he was a man who lived life to the fullest, always eager to share his many stories. It wasn’t until 2010 that he conceived the idea of converting a building to feature four individual wine tasting areas in one space. He reimagined this concept, dedicating entire buildings exclusively to wine production and tasting, which was nearly unheard of for an industrial zone at the time. Mike’s bold and daring vision attracted like-minded winemakers, fostering the evolution of an innovative and creative community. Together, they redefined what a wine tasting destination could be, creating what is now known as Tin City. Mike worked closely with the tenants of Tin City, sharing his business acumen, construction knowledge, and life experiences to encourage risk-taking and the pursuit of dreams. He was a true visionary who shaped the Tin City community by listening, collaborating, and guiding others in bringing their ideas to life.