In 2025, WineBusiness Monthly selected leaders in the industry “who give the wine industry hope for the future, that we can acknowledge that times are tough and the headlines are less-than-positive and still find inspiration in those who buck trends, find innovative solutions and push all those they meet to do and be better.” One category celebrates mentors who generously share their knowledge, shaping not only skilled professionals but passionate ambassadors for wine. The Educating and Mentoring the Next Generation of Leaders category honored two of our UC Davis Viticulture & Enology (V&E) faculty members.
Distinguished Professor David Block was named a 2025 Wine Industry Leader for his work in the Department of Viticulture and Enology for the benefit of the wine industry. During his 12+ years as chair, he strengthened industry partnerships, secured over $15 million for transformative projects and introduced courses on timely topics like regulatory compliance, post-fermentation processing, and precision viticulture. He stepped down as chair in 2024 after positioning the department as a more diverse, sustainability-focused leader in global wine education.
The late Anita Oberholster, professor of cooperative extension in enology at UC Davis, was also recognized in this category. She led multidisciplinary research teams tackling smoke-taint mitigation and served as lead investigator on a USDA initiative, studying the impacts of Grapevine Red Blotch Virus, and was a beloved mentor to many students. Her work advanced vine health, improved wine quality, and strengthened the global wine industry. Anita passed away in January 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer, leaving a lasting legacy.
Read more about their work and legacies here.
Each year, the UC Davis Foundation celebrates faculty and staff who go the extra mile to connect with donors and build meaningful relationships. For the past decade, the Faculty and Staff Stewardship Awards have honored individuals who bring the foundation’s mission to life by demonstrating the impact of philanthropy and thoughtfully stewarding gifts to the university. This year, Ben Montpetit, Marvin Sands Department Chair and Professor and Richard E. Kunde Endowed Chair in Viticulture and Enology, was selected as the Faculty Stewardship Award recipient.
Scout Gen 5, a Napa County–based AI farm management company, was named to TIME’s Best Innovations of 2025. Co-founded by Associate Professor Mason Earles, Scout uses ground-level vineyard photos and geolocation data to analyze individual vine health, delivering actionable insights that help growers optimize quality, yield, and financial performance. This innovative tool helps vintners monitor and map the health of their vineyards directly from their smartphones.
Read more about this honor here: https://time.com/collections/best-inventions-2025/7318235/scout-gen5/