The ninth annual Rich Smith Award of Excellence for outstanding contributions to the American grape and wine industry was presented today to Emily Hodson, the winemaker at Veritas Vineyards and Winery, a co-owner of Flying Fox Vineyards and Winery, and an active leader in the Virginia wine industry. Members of the Smith family and sponsoring organizations present the Rich Smith award to Emily Hodson (third from left). The prestigious award annually reflects the spirit and accomplishments of the late Richard (Rich) Smith, founder of Valley Farm Management and Smith Family Wines in California’s Santa Lucia Highlands wine region in Monterey County. Rich was first and foremost a family man, but also a successful grape grower and winery owner, and a highly respected colleague known for the combination of passion, commitment and collaboration which helped advance the American grape and wine industry. Ever since Rich passed away in December 2015, three organizations—WineAmerica, N

The Lake County Wine Auction is the charitable arm of the Lake County wine industry in the form of a partnership between Lake County wineries, grape growers, related businesses and individuals. Formed in 2000, the Lake County Wine Alliance is operated under the guidance of a six-member volunteer board of directors with the purpose of supporting charitable and other local programs in the arts, health and community. Since its inception, the Lake County Wine Alliance has contributed over $2 million to worthy programs in Lake County, donating more funds to local charities from a single event than any other local nonprofit organization. The Lake County Wine Alliance is also dedicated to promoting Lake County as a premier wine grape growing region and to promoting the region’s celebrated wines.  This year Jennifer Strong will emcee the event and Brian Rose will be the auctioneer. Our special guest will be Congressman Mike Thompson. Event Website

Afternoon Brief, January 14th

Joel Gott Wines Buys Napa's Historic Edge Hill Winery: Joel Gott Wines has purchased Napa’s historic Edge Hill property from Rudd Estate. The deal includes 25 acres, 6 of which are planted to a red field blend, as well as a retrofitted three-story stone winery built in 1867, existing inventory and the Edge Hill name...