The Wine Enthusiast’s 2019 Wine Star Awards are here again. The 20 year-old award program honors those that have contributed to the wine and spirits industry. This year Sonoma County is shining for its leadership in wine production and sustainability and the contributions of Francis Ford Coppola.
Wine Region of the Year: Sonoma County
With over 425 wineries and making $11 billion per year from wine and wine tourism, Sonoma County is far from obscure. Aside from the high-quality wines the region produces, it has also been named the most sustainable wine region in the world. Despite challenges such as the 2017 fires, Sonoma County continues to excel at what it is best known for.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Francis Ford Coppola
Another thing that’s helped put Sonoma County on the map is the praise for film-and-winemaker Francis Ford Coppola. Born in 1939 in New York City, Coppola’s Italian roots gave him a passion for wine at a young age. Although he initially gained recognition from his movies (little pictures like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now) his wine business has boomed exponentially.
We are most excited for the recognition the award brings to Francis Ford Coppola Winery. His Geyserville winery is popular not only for its amazing wines, but for the family-oriented atmosphere. The winery features attractions for the whole family to enjoy, like swimming pools, fine dining, and bocce ball. Coppola’s concept of creating a winery that’s also a space for community and interaction changed the nature of the wine industry.
We have Coppola to thank for helping initiate Sonoma County’s merging of wine production with hospitality and tourism. We are thrilled that Coppola is being recognized for his contributions beyond the realm of cinematic masterpieces.
The Award Ceremony
This year the award ceremony will be held in San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts. We hope they will be celebrating with some fine wines from our beautiful region.
