Over more than a decade, the editors of Wine Enthusiast Magazine have honored individuals who have contributed to the success of the wine and spirits industry with the Wine Star Awards. The winners are noted for their energy and groundbreaking vision, but this year, another theme is apparent: family. Because of the long-term nature of the industry, family-owned concerns have always been the bedrock that the wine business rests on.
"It is with great pride that we award this prestigious recognition to the leaders of an industry driving a great passion we all have—wine," stated Publisher and Editor Adam Strum. "We are thrilled to add these individuals and businesses to our family of Wine Star Awards winners."
Joseph E. Gallo, E&J Gallo, President and CEO of the world's largest family-owned winery, Joseph E. Gallo has reinvented the company his father and uncle founded, creating the largest exporter of California wine.
The 2012 Wine Star Awards Winners:
Wine Person of the Year:
Joseph E. Gallo, E&J Gallo
President and CEO of the world's largest family-owned winery, Joseph E. Gallo has reinvented the company his father and uncle founded, creating the largest exporter of California wine, overseeing robust development of an expansive import business, expanding into Washington State, creating a powerful spirits business and nurturing the world's top-selling wine brand, Barefoot, among many others.
Over more than a decade, the editors of Wine Enthusiast Magazine have honored individuals who have contributed to the success of the wine industry.
Lifetime Achievement
Miguel A. Torres, Torres Group: Miguel Agustín Torres, a pioneer in employing modern winemaking techniques in multiple countries and a leader in the globalization of wine, joined his family's wine business 50 years ago, Under his leadership, Miguel Torres S.A. has grown into one of the largest wineries in Spain, while the Torres Group of wineries, which includes properties in Chile and California in addition to Priorat, Rioja, Ribera del Duero and other regions within Spain, is world renowned. Across the globe, Torres wines are sold in 140 countries.
A man of the people as well as the boardroom, Torres recently stepped down as general manager of the Torres Group but is continuing as group president, a position that allows him to oversee and grow budding import and distribution businesses in China and India, emerging markets. ??