California Ag Network

Tag: Stuart Spencer

  • Lodi Winegrape Commission Elects Youngest Leadership Team In 34-Year History

    A new generation of leaders is stepping forward to guide the Lodi wine region into the future. During its August meeting, the 2025–2026 board of directors of the Lodi Winegrape Commission assumed service and elected fresh leadership as the next generation of winegrowers assumes key roles alongside seasoned industry veterans.

    The board appointed a historic slate of officers representing the youngest leadership team in the Commission’s 34-year history. Jacylyn Stokes Iniguez was elected chair, Hadyn Schatz vice chair, Pieter den Hartog secretary, and Scott Armolea treasurer. Together, this new leadership embodies the dynamic energy and forward-thinking vision needed to navigate today’s evolving wine industry.

    Commissioners remain unchanged for the 2025–2026 term, with all current members continuing their service – Scott Armolea, Pieter den Hartog, Jason Eells, Dirk Heuvel, Jacylyn Stokes Iniguez, Farrah Felten Jolley, Joan Kautz, Diego Olagaray (chair, 2023–2025), and Hadyn Schatz. Galen Schmiedt joins current alternates Gerardo Espinosa, Joe Larranaga, Colton Machado, Brett Pieretti, and Mitch Spaletta.

    A Legacy of Innovation Continues

    This transition continues a legacy of service as Stokes, along with Schatz and den Hartog, are carrying forward their families’ multi-generational commitment to the region. They follow in the footsteps of their fathers, who also served on the Commission’s board of directors:

    • Rodney Schatz, Peltier Winery & Vineyards — 1991–1999 (chair, 1997–1999)
    • Bill Stokes, Stokes Brothers Farms — 2003–2011
    • Pieter den Hartog, Den Hartog International Farms, Inc. — 2013–2019

    This generational turnover reflects the deep agricultural roots and family commitment that defines Lodi’s winegrowing community, while bringing fresh perspectives on sustainability, innovation, and market adaptation.

    Leading through Industry Evolution

    Stokes holds leadership roles at both Stokes Vineyards and Stokes Brothers Farms, focusing on vineyard operations and sustainability, and is the owner of La Belle Nue Wine. She has served on the Commission’s board of directors since 2020, previously holding the offices of secretary (2023–2024) and vice chair (2024–2025), and also serves on the Commission’s Grower Marketing Committee. Stokes is a graduate of the California Agriculture Leadership Program and, alongside her husband, Jeff Iniguez, recently assumed the lease of her family’s old vine Zinfandel ranch, continuing a generational connection to Lodi. Her election as chair represents both continuity and change for the region.

    “Lodi is a place where I learned the value of hard work, family, and farming from a young age,” says Stokes. “While the market is shifting, our purpose remains the same; to uplift this region by telling its story and sustaining our community. Our parents helped to build this commission in 1991, not just as growers but as visionaries, and today we honor that legacy by embracing what it means to lead in a new era.”

    “This year’s board reflects a meaningful shift, with a new generation stepping confidently into leadership roles,” said Lodi Winegrape Commission Executive Director Stuart Spencer. “These talented young professionals are inspiring the entire community as they take the reins alongside seasoned leaders. That blend of fresh energy, forward-thinking vision, and deep agricultural heritage positions us well to continue advancing Lodi as California’s most dynamic wine region.”

    The board also welcomes back Galen Schmiedt as an alternate for 2025–2026. Schmiedt is a fourth-generation grape grower and vineyard owner actively involved in his family’s business, Carl Schmiedt Farming. He previously served eight consecutive years as a commissioner from 2012–2020, including a term as chair (2015–2017), and brings valuable institutional knowledge to support the new leadership team.

    Honoring Dedicated Service

    Rolling off the board of directors are Garret Schaefer (JW Moore Vineyards) and Todd Maley (Maley Vineyards), who each completed six consecutive years of service from 2019–2025. Both continue their active involvement with the Commission, with Schaefer serving on the Grower Marketing Committee and Maley on the Winery Marketing Committee.

    “On behalf of the entire board of directors, I want to extend our sincere thanks to Garret and Todd for their years of dedicated service to the Lodi winegrowing community,” said Stuart Spencer, Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. “Their leadership, insight, and deep commitment to the region have left a lasting impact. We are grateful for their contributions and look forward to their continued involvement in the community.”

    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 cultivating 85,000 acres of winegrapes. For more information about the Lodi Winegrape Commission, visit lodigrowers.com.

    About the Lodi American Viticultural Area (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 more than 130 winegrape varieties, making Lodi the most diverse winegrowing region in the United States. The region also serves as home to more than 85 wineries – from boutique producers to legacy brands – specializing in hand-crafted 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. For more information about the Lodi AVA or LODI RULES, visit lodiwine.com and lodirules.org.

  • Bulk Wine Imports Putting California Growers out of Business

    Time to address the elephant in the room — It’s no secret that the wine market is struggling right now, not just in California, but all over the world.  To make matters worse, California grower’s wine grape crops are getting left unharvested and displaced at local wineries by cheap bulk wine being imported from other countries at disturbing levels. American Vineyard Editor Matthew Malcolm met with Stuart Spencer from the Lodi Winegrape Commission to discuss this issue. Watch this brief interview and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.

  • Lodi Wines Named Exclusive Wine Sponsor for the 2018 Amgen Tour of CA

    Lodi Wines recently announced it has been named the exclusive wine sponsor for the 13th annual Amgen Tour of California, America’s premier professional cycling stage race which takes place over 645 miles across the state of California May 13 – 19, 2018.

    Photo from Lodinews.com

    Lodi’s local wine producers, Michael David Winery, LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards, Klinker Brick Winery, and Estate Crush will feature many of their signature wines and newest releases at various high profile hospitality areas throughout the week-long event. The VIP Hospitality tents at each day’s  the finish line and the Team Presentation event will serve wines from Michael David Winery, LangeTwins Winery and Vineyards, and Klinker Brick Winery, and Estate Crush wines will be featured at the exclusive Chairman’s Dinner on May 12.

    “Lodi, a popular destination for wine lovers with a community of avid cyclists, is thrilled to be a part of the action,” said Stuart Spencer, Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. “The Amgen Tour of California attracts renowned cyclists and fans from around the world and Lodi is excited to have the opportunity to showcase our award-winning wines with this world-class event.”

    “The Amgen Tour of California was first introduced to the wines of Lodi when the city served as a finish city in 2015 and then a start city in 2016,” explained Kristin Klein, president of the Amgen Tour of California and Executive Vice President of AEG Sports. “Each time we had the opportunity to sample one of the wines produced in Lodi we were immediately impressed.  It became a natural next step to have Lodi come on board as our official wine sponsor. We are proud that California’s biggest and most important cycling event can help to showcase the renowned wines created in one of California’s most significant appellations. The Amgen Tour of California is so pleased to have Lodi Wines on board.”

    The four Lodi wineries that are part of the Amgen Tour of California Lodi Wine sponsorship:

    Michael David Winery

    “Michael” and “David” are Michael and David Phillips, brothers whose family has farmed fruits and vegetables in the Lodi region since the 1850s and cultivated wine grapes for nearly a century. Michael and David constitute the fifth generation of grape growers in the Phillips family, with the sixth generation already on board.

    The Phillips family likes to emphasize the importance of quality wines with unique and fun labels. Winemakers Adam Mettler, Derek DeVries and Jeff Farthing specialize in producing Lodi’s famous Old Vine Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Ancient Vine Cinsault for Michael David Winery.

    Farming with future generations in mind, the Phillips have adopted some of the most progressive sustainable farming practices in the state. All 800 acres of the family’s vineyards are third-party certified, and the state’s first per-ton bonus was issued for contracted growers to follow in the family’s footsteps.

    LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards

    As part of a generational farm family dating to the 1870s, twin brothers Randall and Brad Lange grew up with the family passion for farming. Today, their ranch is a benchmark winery and vineyard in Acampo, just north of the city of Lodi. In addition to quality wines, LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards is focused on sustainability and habitat restoration. They have been recognized for their efforts by several organizations and are recipients of the 2006 Leopold Award and the 2014 International BRIT Award. Part of their sustainable program is noticeable while you visit – from the habitat restoration to the solar arrays.

    Klinker Brick Winery

    The Felten family owns and manages Klinker Brick Winery and is a sixth-generation farming family crafting world-class wines since 2000. They own and manage 15 individual vineyard blocks of Old Vine Zinfandel that range in age from 40 to 120 years. In the 1990s, the family began to market its Zinfandel in the bulk market and in 2000, produced its first vintage of Klinker Brick Old Vine Zinfandel. They continue to produce wine from all their vineyard blocks, culling only the very best lots for their bottlings.

    Estate Crush

    Founded in spring 2009, Estate Crush is owned and operated by Bob and Ali Colarossi and focuses on small-lot, custom-crush for premium wine production. The Estate Crush team makes wine for more than 50 different brands and more than 100 of Estate Crush’s wines have been selected as medalists in prestigious competitions.

    About Lodi Wine Country

    Located 40 miles south of Sacramento and 90 miles east of San Francisco, the Lodi wine region benefits from a classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings. A historic winegrowing region since the 1850s, Lodi cultivates more than 100 diverse winegrape varieties. From Iberian varietals like Tempranillo and Albariño to classic Rhône varietals such as Grenache and Cinsault, Lodi offers wines for even the most discerning palate.

    The region also serves as home to 85 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at domestic and international wine competitions. In 2015, Lodi was awarded the prestigious Wine Star Award for “Wine Region of the Year” from Wine Enthusiast Magazine. The recent increase in critic and consumer attention paid to Lodi-designate wines has fueled an astronomical growth in demand for Lodi wines, as well as tourism to the wine region.

    Lodi is a leader when it comes to sustainable viticulture. Created in 2005, LODI RULES™ is California’s first third-party-certified sustainable winegrowing program and has received significant recognition over the years, having been awarded the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) in 2006 and again in 2014. For more information about the Lodi wine region, visit lodiwine.com and lodigrowers.com.

    About the Amgen Tour of California

    The Amgen Tour of California and the Amgen Women’s Race empowered with SRAM are Tour de France-style cycling road races created and presented by AEG. Running concurrently, the races challenge the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along demanding courses that traverse hundreds of miles of California’s iconic highways, byways and coastlines each spring. The teams chosen to participate have included Olympic medalists, Tour de France contenders and World Champions and award important, world-ranking points to the top finishers. More information is available at amgentourofcalifornia.com.