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

Virginia Wineries Association Announces Industry Achievement Award-Winners

Honors given to five recipients at VWA Annual Conference in November November 30th – Richmond, Va. – During the Virginia Wineries Association’s 2021 Annual Conference & Meeting in November, recipients were recognized for their achievements and contributions to the Virginia Wine industry. Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring, VWA President George Hodson and VWA […]