NAPA, CA (July 2, 2020) – The Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) is proud to announce that Larry Hyde of Hyde Vineyards is the recipient of the 2020 Napa Valley Grower of the Year award.
Hyde began his influential and innovative career in Napa Valley nearly fifty years ago working for a variety of prestigious vineyards, gaining experience in both farming and winemaking before purchasing his own property in Carneros in 1979. Just as his vineyard started to produce its first harvest in 1982, Hyde suffered a stroke that paralyzed his left side, making his career achievements even more extraordinary. Since then, his original 72 acres has grown to over 200. There are currently more than 15 vineyard designated wines produced from Hyde Vineyards.
Hyde’s passion for farming is demonstrated through his early experiments with vine spacing, row orientation, and planting of clones that remained untested in Carneros. His pioneering work with clonal material is one of his greatest legacies with over ten legendary varieties planted at Hyde Vineyards. He has worked extensively with UC Davis’s Foundation Plant Services (FPS), mapped plant material gathered from historic vineyards all over California and provided material from his own vineyard to be available for the ages. His desire to better his industry is exemplified by his generous donation to FPS of 45 different clones of grapes from 10 varieties, many of which would have been lost without him.
Hyde has held prominent leadership roles in the Napa Valley. He was a founding member of the group that petitioned for the Los Carneros AVA and was the founding director of the Carneros Quality Alliance. He has been a Director of the Napa County Farm Bureau. More recently, he served on the board of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers in 2011 and represented the NVG on the Napa County Pest and Disease District Board for nearly a decade.
Hyde is known for his passion for farming and his innovative farming techniques. His enthusiasm for each year’s crop is as if it were his first, and this trait of his perennially inspires and influences Napa Valley growers and winemakers alike.
Nominations for the Grower of the Year come from the NVG membership, and the recipient is chosen by a special Selection Committee comprised of Past Presidents and current committee members. The award criteria are: a strong commitment to sustainable practices; recognized leadership in agricultural preservation, dedicated community focus, contributions to the Napa Valley community, and someone who actively promotes Napa’s reputation for the highest quality vineyards.
About the Napa Valley Grapegrowers:
NVG is a non-profit trade organization that has played a vital role in strengthening Napa Valley’s reputation as a world-class viticultural region for over four decades. Its mission is to preserve and promotion Napa Valley’s world-class vineyards. NVG represents over 726 Napa County grape growers and associated businesses.
