MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2025. BY LODI WINEGRAPE COMMISSION.
Featured image: Stuart Spencer, Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. Photo by Mitch Tobias.
The Lodi Winegrape Commission Board of Directors proudly recognizes Executive Director Stuart Spencer for his 25 years of service to the organization. Stuart joined as the Program Manager in 1999, before his promotion to Executive Director in 2018. The Board honored Stuart at the Commission’s annual meeting on February 12, which was attended by over 150 community members and friends of the region.
“During the past 25 years, Stuart has been an asset to the wine industry, specifically for the Lodi region,” said Board Chair Diego Olagaray to the group in attendance. “As a winemaker and winegrower, Stuart possesses unique perspectives on the wine industry’s domestic and international issues, which have helped to expand and strengthen the region and set him apart from his peers.”
Upon joining the Commission, Stuart championed the installation and opening of the Lodi Wine Visitor Center, the first of its kind when it opened in 2000. Today, this wine shop and tasting room serves as a central hub for Lodi producers which lack brick-and-mortar venues to showcase their wine. The Center also serves as an education station and guide to the Lodi Appellation, welcoming thousands of visitors annually. Since its opening, the Center has undergone two redesigns to maintain a modern and on-brand aesthetic – efforts Stuart has helped guide.
Since early on, Stuart has overseen the Commission’s marketing program, providing instrumental guidance and support on branding, advertising, public relations and regional events. Notable initiatives include:
- ZinFest – Wine, Food & Fun at Lodi Lake (2005)
- LoCA – The Wines of Lodi, California Branding and Marketing Campaign (2011)
- Lodi Wine Rebranding and Marketing Campaign (2020)
- Save the Old Vines Marketing Campaign (2020)
- “A Rising Tide” Lodi Grower Video Series and Marketing Campaign (2023)
During his tenure, Stuart has also been heavily involved in educational efforts for the Lodi winegrape industry, including recent initiatives to focus attention on California winegrower challenges and opportunities in the current wine industry. He played a critical role in developing the LODI RULES for sustainable winegrowing program which celebrated its 20th year of certification in January. Since 2005, the program has grown from 1,555 acres of certified sustainable Lodi vineyards to over 75,000 acres of planted vines certified in California, Washington and Israel.
“Stuart is a remarkable individual with great insights, and a strategic vision paired with the tactical expertise to know what’s possible,” stated Mark Chandler, the Lodi Winegrape Commission’s first executive director who hired Stuart in 1999. “His steady influence and advocacy for our winegrowing community continues to make great progress for the region. Stuart enhances and elevates the position of our wines on the world stage, while still being authentically Lodi every step of the way.”
The Lodi Winegrape Commission represents more than 750 winegrape growers farming around 90,000 vineyard acres and includes 80+ wineries in the Lodi American Viticulture Area (AVA). The Lodi AVA is the second largest in California and crushes a little over 20% of California’s premium winegrapes. The region’s annual yield of over 592,000 tons of winegrapes was valued at over $360 million in 2024.
“Stuart and I both come from multi-generational Lodi winemaking families and it has been a pleasure to see all the work he has done bringing our amazing people, place and wines into the spotlight,” said Joan Kautz, Lodi Winegrape Commission Grower Marketing Committee Chair and Global Sales & Marketing Director for Ironstone Vineyards. “His 25 years of service are nothing short of tremendous, and I am excited to continue working with him on behalf of the region for years to come.”
About the Lodi Winegrape Commission
Established in 1991, the Lodi Winegrape Commission represents the common interests of Lodi winegrowers with programs in marketing, education, research and sustainable viticulture. The Commission collectively and effectively promotes Lodi’s vibrant, multi-generational farming community and California’s most dynamic wine region. Comprised of nine commissioners and nine alternates, the Board of Directors provides direction and input on behalf of the region’s 750 winegrowers.
About the Lodi AVA
A historic winegrowing region since the 1850s, Lodi is perfectly situated 40 miles south of Sacramento and 90 miles east of San Francisco. Lodi’s Mediterranean climate and distinct soils allow its growers to cultivate 136 winegrape varieties and counting, making Lodi the most diverse winegrowing region in the United States. The region also serves as home to 80 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at domestic and international wine competitions.
Lodi is naturally a leader in sustainable viticulture. Created by California farmers and accredited by world-renowned scientists, LODI RULES is America’s original sustainable winegrowing program. Held to a high standard of scientific rigor and excellence, the program emphasizes environmentally and socially responsible practices, while keeping economic feasibility in mind for long-term business success. Today, there are more than 75,000 acres certified throughout California, in Washington, and Israel.
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For more information on the wines of Lodi, visit the Lodi Winegrape Commission’s consumer website, lodiwine.com.
For more information on the LODI RULES Sustainable Winegrowing Program, visit lodigrowers.com/standards or lodirules.org.
