Jerry Lohr, president and owner of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, has been selected by the American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) to receive the prestigious Merit Award, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the wine industry. The ASEV Merit award, which has previously been granted to industry leaders such as Ann C. Noble, Robert Mondavi, Louis P.Martini, Ernest Gallo and Julio Gallo, will be presented during the ASEV’s National Conference on June 21-24, 2011, in Monterey, California, near the location where Jerry Lohr planted his first vineyard in 1972.Lohr was selected for the ASEV Merit Award on the basis of his many accomplishments in the industry, especially those that reflect his commitment to research and education.

“Highly respected by the industry for his vast knowledge and practice of California winegrowing, Jerry Lohr exemplifies the Society’s standards for the Merit Award,” said Lyndie Boulton, ASEV executive director. “His leadership, dedication and vision to cultivate an appreciation for wine – from vineyard to bottle – illustrate his passion for creating a sustainable industry.”

Jerry Lohr established J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines as one of the world’s great independent wineries, with an acclaimed 3,700-acre estate program spanning the Central Coast and Napa Valley. As a respected member of the industry, Lohr uses his extensive knowledge of the California winegrowing process to address the subject from a wide range of perspective – from scientific to agricultural.

“The ASEV’s leadership efforts have helped researchers, students and industry representatives advance the wine industry’s technical position worldwide, for the benefit of all,” said Jerry Lohr. “As a longtime California winegrower with a passion for wine education, I’m deeply honored to receive this distinction from ASEV.”

After taking root in the Arroyo Seco region of Monterey County and Paso Robles, Lohr has built a notable portfolio of wines over the decades, which includes J. Lohr Estates, J. Lohr Vineyard Series, J. Lohr Cuvée Series and J. Lohr Gesture. He has helped to build the reputation of both regions, cementing Monterey County and Paso Robles as significant winegrowing regions in California. But Lohr’s dedication goes beyond J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. His work on behalf of the entire industry has included posts as director and chair of the Wine Institute and chair of the Monterey Winegrowers Council. He is also one of the founding members of Wine Vision, a group that promotes a long-range view of the wine industry. Additionally, Lohr founded the National Grape and Wine Initiative, a coalition representing winegrowers, wineries and academic institutions committed to improving the industry. In 2007, the College of Agriculture and Environmental Science at UC Davis honored Lohr with its Award of Distinction; in 2008, the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance named him Wine Industry Person of the Year; in 2010, the New York Institute of Technology awarded him its Professional Excellence in Oenology distinction; and most recently Wine Enthusiast Magazine named J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines 2010 American Winery of the Year.

The ASEV National Conference was established in 1950 as an annual meeting by a committee of industry and academic representatives that included founding leaders such as Maynard Amerine, James Guymon, Joseph Heitz, Louis P. Martini, Harold Olmo, Andre Tchelistcheff, A.W. Webb and A. J. Winkler. The event serves as the wine and grape industry’s platform for progress, offering a unique combination of continued professional education in regard to scientific rigor and fundamental practice. The diverse and comprehensive program includes seminars addressing topics of daily experience in the winery and vineyard as well as reports and updates on original research, and enology and viticulture work in progress. Open to all industry and academic representatives, the National Conference provides an ideal opportunity for networking among members of all U.S. wine and grape regions as well as respected international experts and professionals. Click here for the latest information.