Sonoma County Winegrowers CEO recognized for innovative wine marketing, agricultural leadership and bringing the wine community together
From transforming how Sonoma County wine connects with consumers to championing agricultural innovation and bringing growers and wineries together, Karissa Kruse has spent more than a decade challenging conventional thinking about what a regional wine organization can accomplish.
Wine Enthusiast has named Kruse, CEO of Sonoma County Winegrowers, its 2026 Wine Executive of the Year as part of the publication's prestigious Wine Star Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to the global wine and beverage industry.
In the news release from the Wine Enthusiast announcing Kruse as the Wine Executive of the Year, it stated, “Our Wine Executive is the industry outsider we need. While Sonoma County faces the same headwinds of many other global wine regions, leaders like Kruse are seeking new and exciting possibilities for growth in the years to come.”
Since becoming CEO in 2013, Kruse has helped position Sonoma County as a leader in sustainable winegrowing, agricultural innovation and creative wine marketing. Under her leadership, the region achieved 99% certified sustainable vineyard acreage, launched the groundbreaking Farm of the Future initiative and established unconventional partnerships that have introduced Sonoma County wines to new audiences across the country.
"I am incredibly honored by this recognition, but what makes it so meaningful is the opportunity to represent the farmers, winemakers and people who make Sonoma County such a special place," said Kruse. "I'm especially grateful for our incredible team and our Board of Directors, who have embraced new ideas, taken chances and believed in what we could accomplish together. I'm proud of what we've built, and even more excited about what's ahead for Sonoma County wine."
Drawing on her background in consumer marketing, Kruse has helped take Sonoma County wine beyond traditional industry channels through partnerships with organizations including the San Francisco Giants, Coachella Valley Firebirds, Landry's and Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. She also launched Farm of the Future, positioning Sonoma County as a living laboratory for agricultural innovation through collaborations with companies including John Deere, Ford Pro and Wilbur-Ellis.
As executive director of the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation, Kruse has also championed programs supporting vineyard employees and their families, including the nation's first Vineyard Employee Leadership Academy.
"Karissa has never been satisfied with doing things simply because that's how they've always been done," said Tyler Klick, Chairman of the Sonoma County Winegrowers Board of Directors and a partner at Redwood Empire Vineyard Management. "She has an extraordinary ability to see opportunities, bring people together and turn ambitious ideas into action. From pioneering sustainability and agricultural innovation to building partnerships that have opened new doors for Sonoma County wine, her leadership has helped redefine what's possible for our region. This recognition is incredibly well deserved."
The recognition comes at a pivotal moment for Sonoma County wine. In 2026, Kruse helped lead the unification of the region's grower and winery communities under one organization. The new Sonoma County Wine membership program, launching in January 2027, will strengthen collaboration, create new opportunities and bring a unified voice to promoting Sonoma County wines.
According to the Wine Enthusiast news release, “In today’s competitive wine market, thinking outside the box is crucial, and this recent merger isn’t Kruse’s first ‘unachievable’ achievement.”
Before joining Sonoma County Winegrowers, Kruse held marketing and business roles with General Mills, Universal Studios and Dairy Management Inc. She holds a bachelor's degree in economics and an MBA in marketing from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She and her husband, Steve Dutton, a fifth-generation Sonoma County farmer, own Dutton-Goldfield winery.
Kruse will be honored at Wine Enthusiast's 27th annual Wine Star Awards gala in San Francisco on January 25, 2027.
Día de Los Muertos 2026
As Día de los Muertos honors loved ones who have passed, we remember nine Sonoma County community members whose contributions to wine, food and agriculture will not be forgotten.
Two competitive state grants will fuel new marketing efforts, agricultural innovation and opportunities for Sonoma County winegrowers and wineries
At a time when California’s wine industry is facing significant marketplace challenges, Sonoma County is investing in what comes next.
Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW) and the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation (also known as Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos) have been awarded two Specialty Crop Block Grants totaling more than $890,000 from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The funding will support two important priorities for the region: bringing Sonoma County wines to more consumers and accelerating agricultural innovation to help farmers prepare for the future.
The awards are part of a highly competitive statewide grant program in which CDFA awarded $28.9 million to 60 projects across California.
“This is exactly the kind of investment our wine community needs right now,” said Karissa Kruse, CEO of Sonoma County Winegrowers and executive director of the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation. “We know the challenges facing our industry, and we are focused on moving forward. That means finding new ways to connect consumers with Sonoma County wines while giving our farmers access to the innovation, technology and resources they need to succeed. These grants allow us to do both.”
The two grants will advance complementary initiatives:
Growing the Market for Sonoma County Wine
Sonoma County Winegrowers will expand its marketing efforts to introduce Sonoma County wines to new audiences, build consumer awareness and inspire more people to discover the wines, people and places that make the region special. The initiative is designed to help strengthen demand for Sonoma County wine while encouraging visitation and supporting the broader local wine economy.
Advancing the Farm of the Future
The Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation will build on Sonoma County’s growing reputation as a living laboratory for agricultural innovation. Through its Farm of the Future initiative, the Foundation will expand opportunities for winegrowers and vineyard employees to learn about and access emerging technologies, practical farming solutions and educational resources that can help shape the future of agriculture.
The funding also arrives at a pivotal moment for Sonoma County’s wine industry. With Sonoma County Vintners’ winery membership and marketing programs joining Sonoma County Winegrowers, the region has introduced its new Sonoma County Wine membership program for 2027. This unified approach brings growers and wineries together under one organization, strengthening the region’s ability to speak with one voice, reach new consumers and create opportunities for the entire Sonoma County wine community.
“Sonoma County has always been a place where farmers, winemakers and innovators come together to make things happen,” added Kruse. “Today, we have an opportunity to build on that spirit in an even bigger way. We are bringing our wine community together, turning new ideas into action and putting resources behind the work that matters most. Our future depends on strong growers, successful wineries and consumers who continue to discover and choose Sonoma County wine. And we’re not waiting for the future to happen. We’re helping shape it.”
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The Year Began with Weather Rollercoaster and Ended with Earliest Harvest in Years
Sonoma County winegrowers and wineries have just completed this year’s harvest putting the cap on a wild weather year that resulted in one of the earliest winegrape harvest and one of the lighter crops in years.
While the past year saw a warm spring, a cold, wet, windy period followed during bloom time which resulted in a lighter crop. During the summer, the grapes enjoyed exceptional weather during the peak growing season. This maximized phenolic development before harvest, enabling the fruit to reach full maturity, vibrant color, and enhanced ripeness, ultimately resulting in a smoother mouthfeel and outstanding flavor. Overall, the total harvest in Sonoma County is estimated to be about 35% - 40% lighter than average.
"From the vineyard to the cellar, we're hearing tremendous excitement about the quality of the 2026 vintage," said Karissa Kruse, president and chief executive officer of Sonoma County Winegrowers. "While lighter yields present real challenges for our farming families, the quality of the fruit and the early reports from our winemakers give us a lot to look forward to. We're also encouraged by wineries purchasing additional grapes to meet consumer demand, and we're hopeful that this smaller harvest will help bring greater balance to the grape marketplace in our region. Most importantly, the wines of 2026 are shaping up to be another great expression of what makes Sonoma County such a special wine region."
Across Sonoma County's diverse growing regions, winegrowers and winemakers are sharing their perspectives on an unforgettable harvest and the promising wines of 2026:
Duff Bevill, Bevill Vineyard Management, Dry Creek Valley AVA:
“The 2026 growing season began in a very unusual way. Early warm weather in late February, woke up the vines, then later in the spring during the flowering stage, the weather turned cool and extended this pollination period for weeks more than normal. As a result of this extended flowering period, nearly every vineyard had much lower production than normal. The good news is the quality of the grapes produced has been exceptional!”
Steve Sangiacomo, Sangiacomo Family Vineyards, Sonoma Coast AVA:
“2026 has been a good season, with one of the earliest harvests on record, the grapes were on the vines a long time developing amazing flavors and phenolic development. Overall, Mother Nature cooperated with below average yields due to the cool bloom time weather which has led to a very promising vintage with small berries and excitement for what is to come in the bottle.”
Steve Dutton, Dutton Ranch, Green Valley/Russian River Valley AVAs:
“I've been farming grapes my whole life, and 2026 is a vintage I'll never forget. We kicked off harvest at Dutton Ranch on July 16th, the first pick in Sonoma County and the earliest we've ever started. I knew right then it was going to be an unusual year. Everything happened early, and there wasn't nearly as much fruit out there as we'd hoped. But what we did pick was exceptional. The concentration, balance and flavors were beautiful, especially in our Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Every vintage has its challenges, but after all these years of farming, I know when we have something special. I think the wines from 2026 are going to be outstanding, and that's something we can all feel good about.”
Bret Munselle, Munselle Vineyards, Alexander Valley AVA:
“For the first time ever, we started and finished our whites in the month of August. Chards were about 10-15% less than our 5-year average, but great flavors and balance. Our SBs were way down this year with almost every block we picked being right around 50% of our 5-year average. Overall, whites were about 4 -5 weeks earlier than what I would consider to be our normal. Reds got started right at the beginning of September and all are looking to be very light. The combination of good spring rain and a light crop have made for early ripening of the reds. Although not quite as early as the whites, we were done with our reds by October 12th which was a first for us.”
Jim Rickards, J. Rickards Vineyards and Winery, Alexander Valley AVA:
"2026 was our 50th year farming in Sonoma County. We saw one of the earliest harvests ever, but also one of the earliest budbreaks ever – meaning our growing period started early in the year. We saw a lot of great flavor development early in the year, and as a result we have seen a wonderful harvest with spectacular quality, despite the low yields."
Brian Ball, Sphaerics Wine:
“Warm weather in March and a smaller crop load resulted in an earlier start to harvest in 2026. The vintage’s moderate temperature throughout the summer gave us great natural acidity, beautiful color, and concentrated flavors from the low-yielding vines.”
Justin Seidenfeld, Rodney Strong Vineyards:
“The 2026 vintage was the earliest harvest of my career and one of the lightest. This brought both great benefits and a few challenges. The concentration in the tanks is fantastic, and I am looking forward to seeing how the wines evolve over time.”
Tony Lombardi, Lombardi Wines, Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance:
“After thirty years in Sonoma County, I’m still moved by harvest. This year came early, and the crop is lighter, but what came into the winery was beautiful. The Petaluma Gap’s afternoon winds and marine air keep our cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir bright and expressive, and that character with generous acidity is showing up again in 2026.”
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