Woodinville, WA — The Washington Winegrowers Association has honored veteran Washington winemaker, Brian Carter, with the 2020 Grand Vin Award. Carter is the winemaker and managing partner of Brian Carter Cellars headquartered in Woodinville, Wash. The winery operates tastings rooms in Woodinville and Vancouver USA.
Carter was presented with the prestigious award by Robert Takahashi, Brian Carter Cellars’ second in command, for the impact and contributions he has made to the Washington wine industry during the past 41 years. Linn Scott, Chairman of the Wine Research Advisory Committee, Mark Wheeler MD, former Chairman of the Washington Wine Industry Foundation and Dr. Thomas Henick-Kling, Director of Viticulture & Enology Program at WSU came to Woodinville to surprise Carter at his winery with the honor.
Henick-Kling noted that “Carter has been involved in research, education and has set the example for so many winemakers in the state.” Grape grower Dr. Mark Wheeler said of Carter “the three words that best define Carter’s career are artistry, generosity and friendship.”
Carter serves on the Wine Research Advisory Committee where for over 30 years he has helped steer the research programs at WSU and is also a current board member of the Washington Wine Industry Foundation where he serves on the Sustainability Committee. He is also a long-standing member of the Foundation Block Advisory Committee which has the essential role of keeping the states vines clean from disease. Perhaps most significant, he has been involved in the winemaking at dozens of Washington Wineries over his long tenure in the state.
In addition to twice named Winemaker of the Year by Washington Magazine, three-time winner of the Grand Prize at the Seattle Enological Society, and Winery of the year in 2015 by trade publication Wine Press Northwest, Carter is most proud of what he feels are individual awards that center on how he has personally contributed to the industry, in addition to the Grand Vin Award, such as:
• 2007 Honored Vintner at the Washington State Auction of Washington Wines
• 2004 Industry Service Award given by the Washington Wine Grape Growers
• 1996 Alec Bayless Prize awarded by the Washington Wine Commission
“I am deeply honored to be chosen by my peers in the Washington Wine Industry for this prestigious prize. I continue to believe in giving back to an industry who has given so much to me. It has been so rewarding to see the Washington Wine Industry grow from what was once a backwater to a big player in the world of wine.”
The Washington Winegrowers Association serves as the synergistic leader and unifying voice through advocacy and education for growers, vintners, partners, and policymakers.