Stacie Jacob: 2011 Wine Industry Person of the Year

San Luis Obispo County’s most prestigious wine industry honor was announced today by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance in partnership with the Independent Grape Growers of Paso Robles, the Central Coast Vineyard Team, the San Luis Obispo Vintners Association and past award recipients. The 2011 San Luis Obispo County Wine Industry Person of the Year Award honoree is Stacie Jacob, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance executive director.

Jacob officially received the honor during the California Mid-State Fair’s Cattlemen and Farmers’ Day, at an awards ceremony focused on recognizing San Luis Obispo County’s Cattlemen, Cattle Women, Farmers, Vintners, and other leaders in San Luis Obispo County agriculture. Special commendations, proclamations and resolutions were presented by local dignitaries and elected officials to all awardees. The awards presentation took place at 6:30 p.m.

“This award ceremony truly brings together the agricultural industry of San Luis Obispo County to honor its leaders,” said Paul Hoover, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Board of Directors and owner of Still Waters Vineyards. “Programs instituted during Stacie’s tenure as executive director have raised the profile of the Paso Robles AVA not only locally, but nationally and internationally.” This recognition comes as Jacob prepares to depart her post as the Alliance’s executive director after seven years of service.

The Wine Industry Person of the Year award was nominated and voted on by peers in the industry for a recipient’s leadership in California’s third largest wine region, San Luis Obispo County. Photographs and a full bio of the 2011 Wine Industry Person of the Year are available upon request or on www.pasowine.com.

Wine Industry Person of the Year – Stacie Jacob, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance
Stacie Jacob, a brand strategist, communications specialist and marketing professional launched Solterra Strategies LLC after her seven-year tenure serving as the Executive Director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. Solterra Strategies, a lifestyle marketing firm is based in Paso Robles and represents clients with a unique sense of place: food, wine, agriculture and tourism.

Under Jacob’s leadership, the Alliance grew to represent 500 members focused on the organization’s mission to brand and promote Paso Robles Wine Country. Working with a nine-person Board of Directors and a dedicated Team of six, Jacob focused on two key objectives – building demand for Paso Robles wines and enhancing the wine country experience. Jacob led an effective marketing campaign that achieved regional, national and global brand recognition for the Paso Robles American Viticulture Area (AVA). Under Jacob’s leadership, the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance became one of the nation’s leading wine trade organizations recognized for its creative marketing, leadership and powerful regional brand. In addition, proactive public affairs initiatives have been created, creating a consistent voice for the wine community. The Alliance’s robust membership benefits from Alliance programs focus in media relations, trade relations, direct-to-consumer marketing and industry education.

Jacob took the lead role as Executive Director for the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance after serving nearly four years as the public relations director for the Washington Wine Commission. In conjunction with their Executive Director, she served as industry spokesperson to travel, lifestyle and wine trade media; building relationships with writers from Gourmet, Travel & Leisure, Sunset, Food & Wine, San Francisco Chronicle and numerous other publications. Prior to the Washington Wine Commission, Stacie spent four years in Kansas City, Mo., with Fleishman-Hillard, a global public relations agency where she focused on food and agriculture clients.

Jacob served on the Board of Directors and Past Chair for the San Luis Obispo County Visitors and Conference Bureau charged to market tourism countywide. In 2008, Jacob was recognized as one of the Top 20 Under 40 leaders by the San Luis Obispo Tribune.

Jacob grew up in a small farming community in Nebraska and graduated from University of Nebraska, Lincoln with a degree in Agricultural Journalism.