Wine Industry Person of the Year Jason Haas.

– The San Luis Obispo County wine industry annually comes together to honor members of the local wine community. These awards recognize dedication, stewardship, innovation, and leadership demonstrated in the San Luis Obispo County wine community. The 2017 San Luis Obispo County Wine Industry Awards have been awarded to: Wine Industry Person of the Year, Jason Haas, Tablas Creek Vineyard; Winemaker of the Year, Christian Roguenant, Niven Family Wine Estates; and Winegrape Grower of the Year, Lino Bozzano, Laetitia Vineyard & Winery.

The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance in partnership with the San Luis Obispo Wine Country Association, the Independent Grape Growers of the Paso Robles Area, The Vineyard Team and past award recipients worked together to identify the 2017 honorees. Upon nomination, each recipient was voted on by their peers for their leadership and accomplishments in California’s third largest wine region, San Luis Obispo County.

“The California Mid-State Fair is such a great time to be in Paso, not only for the concerts, carnival, and fair food, but because it allows the community to come together and celebrate our fellow agriculturalists,” said Jennifer Porter, Executive Director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance.“ These awards celebrate three men whose leadership, hard work, and dedication have brought worldwide recognition for the wines of San Luis Obispo County.”

The San Luis Obispo County Wine Community will celebrate this year’s award winners at a special event on Friday, July 21 at the California Mid-State Fair within the Mission Square beginning at 6:30 p.m. The awards presentation is a free event with paid admission to the California Mid-State Fair. Preceding the awards presentation is a ticketed event featuring a walk-around tasting of the gold medal winners of the Central Coast Wine Competition.