Wine Industry Champion

Kim Stemler

Kim Stemler, the former esteemed Executive Director of the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association since 2012, has been honored with the Wine Industry Champion Award by the Monterey Bay Stars Awards for 2024. Renowned for her pivotal role during crises, Stemler has been a beacon of resilience and leadership, guiding the wine community through wildfires, pandemics, and natural disasters. Her efforts in ensuring timely, effective communication and coordination with CAL FIRE and other partners have been invaluable. Stemler's strategic initiatives, including conjunctive labeling and the Consumer Refillable Wine Bottle legislation, have significantly advanced Monterey's wine industry, making her an undeniable champion of the sector.