This year, the Winegrowers Association partnered with the Washington Wine Industry Foundation to recognize its five deserving 2025 award recipients during the Foundation’s Party + Auction at the conclusion of Day 1 of WineVit.  Following are the awards categories and recipients.  Congratulations to all.

Grand Vin:

The Grand Vin Award recognizes a winery employee or owner who has made a meaningful impact on the winery, the wine, the brand, or the process of making exceptional wine. This year’s recipient, Victor Palenica, truly exemplifies that spirit.

Victor Palencia is a name you’re increasingly likely to hear when people talk about what’s next for Washington wine. Through Palencia Family Estate, Monarcha Winery, and the Palencia Wine Company, Victor has built a reputation for staying ahead of the curve—taking on both large- and small-scale projects with the same drive to innovate and refine.

What sets Victor apart is his ability to read the industry and anticipate what consumers are looking for, paired with a relentless commitment to getting it right. Those who work with him often point to his resilience and passion for winemaking—he doesn’t stop until he’s satisfied with the result. When he talks about quality, he keeps it grounded and practical: aroma, color, mouthfeel, and finish—the four cues he encourages people to look for in a great wine.

Despite the momentum he’s built, Victor remains known as smart, kind, humble, and deeply dependable. He began working in the industry straight out of high school and has already made a meaningful mark at a young age—something he’s proud of, and something others notice. Off the production floor, Victor is a private person who holds his family and culture close. He and his wife Yaneth are raising their son Abel and newborn daughter Madeline Grace, alongside their two small dogs, Luna and Mya—and even with a full schedule, he’s the kind of person who still makes time for family gatherings.

Industry Service Award:

The Industry Service Award recognizes an individual whose long-standing dedication and impact have helped advance the Washington grape and wine industry. This year’s recipients exemplify service through leadership, innovation, and integrity.

Mike Means—known to many in the industry as “Meandog”—is the kind of leader who pairs big ideas with real follow-through. With experience across Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (including sabbaticals with industry partners), Goose Ridge, and Canoe Ridge, Mike has built a reputation as an innovator with a constant “what if?” mindset—especially when it comes to improving vineyard practices and equipment.

Colleagues describe Mike as high-energy, thorough, and dependable: when he speaks, it’s facts, not a sales pitch. He’s a natural teacher and a “do-er” who will jump in to help—or lead—and make sure the job gets done. In roles where quality and cost have to be balanced every day, Mike earned trust through experience and a clear vision for what winemakers need, along with the ability to communicate that vision to his team (often with a booming voice).

Mike has also been an instrumental educator and industry supporter through programs like WineVit and the Winegrowers Association, and he’s proud of the vineyards he’s helped plant and steward over the years. Outside of wine, he’s known for deep community service—especially his long-time commitment as a Boy Scout leader—and for making music with friends and family as a talented singer and guitar picker who loves country and bluegrass. And for those who don’t know: Mike’s background includes a degree in Entomology.

Melissa Hansen has spent more than a decade at the center of Washington’s wine research and industry collaboration through her work with the Washington State Wine Commission.

Known for asking the right questions and using her journalism skills to get to the truth, Melissa has a rare ability to translate complex technical research into plain language growers and winemakers can actually use. She’s also famous for watching every penny like it’s her own—making sure research investments deliver real-world outcomes: better grapes, better wine, and more consistent results across the industry.

Often described as a leader and bridge builder, Melissa brings growers, winemakers, marketers, researchers, and educators together to solve shared challenges. She has helped shepherd hundreds of research requests and is especially proud of advancing and expanding Washington’s viticulture and enology research program, including helping build a world-class effort at WSU and making the science broadly accessible through reports, articles, webinars, and educational programs. Off the clock, Melissa—sometimes known by her college mascot nickname, “Musty”—enjoys life with her husband Mark, their family (including kids and grandkids), and their dog Buster, and she spends her free time farming Timothy Hay with Mark.

Grower of the year:

The Erick Hanson Memorial Grower of the Year Award recognizes extraordinary viticultural talent — the kind of talent that creates the conditions for a perfect grape in the vineyard and ultimately results in exceptional wine in the bottle. More than that, it honors a grower who embodies curiosity, dedication, and respect for both the land and the people who work it.

Ryan Flanagan, didn’t start out on a farm. Raised on Washington’s west side, he spent formative time visiting cousins near Quincy, where a love for agriculture first took hold. After earning a business degree from Gonzaga University in 1998, Ryan began his viticulture career under Jim McFerran at Cold Creek Vineyard, then built experience across some of the state’s most important vineyard sites. A 2002 trip to France with Ray Einburger, exploring the vineyards and cellars of Burgundy, cemented viticulture as his lifelong calling.

Winemakers look forward to visiting Ryan’s vineyards each harvest because they know what they’ll find: balance, purity, and fruit grown with intention. Ryan understands winemaking, adapts instinctively to each vintage, stays open to feedback, and is known for his steady, no-drama approach. It’s not uncommon for him to call and say, “The grapes are ready”—and he’s always right.

Off the clock, Ryan is a devoted family man who treasures time with his wife Wendy and their three kids. His favorite varietal is Syrah. For his leadership, craftsmanship, and unwavering commitment to quality, we’re proud to recognize Ryan Flanagan with the Erick Hanson Memorial Grower of the Year Award.

Lifetime Achievement:

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a career defined by commitment, leadership, and a lasting impact on the Washington wine industry—one that establishes a legacy of excellence and helps shape the future for generations to come.

Martin “Marty” L. Clubb has been a steady, visionary force in the Walla Walla Valley and across Washington wine for decades. As Co-Owner and Managing Winemaker of L’Ecole № 41 Winery, a partner in Seven Hills Vineyard, and Co-Owner of Ferguson Vineyard, Marty has consistently looked beyond his own vineyards and winery to consider what strengthens the region and the industry as a whole. His leadership extends beyond production into advocacy and strategy, including service with organizations such as WineAmerica, where he helped advance conversations that expanded the reach and reputation of Washington wines while supporting long-term sustainability for growers and producers.

Marty is known for integrity, consistency, and clear standards. A straight shooter, he communicates quality through directness and follow-through rather than hype—setting expectations through thoughtful decision-making, attention to detail, and strong vineyard and industry relationships. Among many accomplishments, he is especially proud of L’Ecole’s global recognition, including a 2014 Decanter World Wine Award for Best Bordeaux Blend in the World for the 2011 Ferguson Vineyard Bordeaux Blend, and being named to Wine & Spirits Magazine’s Top 100 Wineries in the World list 17 times—a distinction achieved by only a small group of wineries worldwide.

Those who work with him describe Marty as business-savvy, grounded, and approachable, respected not just for what he’s achieved but for how he leads. Together with his wife Megan, he helped build on the founders’ vision and remains deeply committed to keeping L’Ecole family-owned and operated alongside their adult children. Marty is also proud of his family—son Riley (and daughter-in-law Melissa), daughter Rebecca (and son-in-law Sander Olson)—and one of his favorite roles today: being a grandfather to three grandchildren.