Napa Valley, Calif., November 7, 2023 – Napa Valley-based Lawrence Wine Estates is thrilled to announce that CEO Carlton McCoy, Jr. has been named Social Visionary of the Year as part of Wine Enthusiast’s 2023 Wine Star Awards. The Wine Star Awards honor the individuals and companies that make outstanding contributions to the wine and alcohol beverage world.
Carlton’s recognition includes his work as co-founder of The Roots Fund and as CEO of Lawrence Wine Estates. The full story can be found here and the complete list of awardees can be found here.
“I am humbled by this recognition for the work my colleagues and myself have been able to achieve applying the values and core principles that guide our daily work,” McCoy said. “I am just focused on doing what I can in my little corner of the wine world to bring actionable results.”
Carlton’s leadership in the wine industry includes his role as CEO of Lawrence Wine Estates and co-founder and board member of The Roots Fund, now in its third year, whose purpose is to create financial support, mentorship, and job placement opportunities for Communities of Color interested in pursuing a career in wine while creating inclusivity for underrepresented minorities. Carlton also achieved the title of Master Sommelier in 2013 – one of the youngest people to do so and the second African American to earn this prestigious title.
In his role supporting The Roots Fund, Carlton, along with co-founder Ikimi Dubose-Woodson, Santosh Varghese and Jeremey Seysses, is focused on the next generation of scholars and building a mentorship network supported by the first class of scholars who are now building careers in the wine industry.
As CEO of Lawrence Wine Estates, which oversees a portfolio of Napa Valley’s most treasured legacy wineries, McCoy sees social responsibility as intrinsic to the overall company vision and prioritizes accessibility and sustainability. Under McCoy’s leadership, Lawrence Wine Estates has become a leader in biodynamic farming acreage and certification in the Napa Valley and is positioned to help shape the future, sustainable legacy of the Napa Valley. Lawrence Wine Estates has also pioneered a portfolio wide, introductory tasting offering, led by Carlton, to ensure Napa Valley history is available to all.
“The idea of wine as a luxury good that is accessible to a few is changing, and I’m honored be a part of the evolution of wine culture to include many diverse perspectives at the table,” McCoy said.
ABOUT LAWRENCE WINE ESTATES
Lawrence Wine Estates supports a growing collection of wine estates in Napa Valley and France. The collection includes Heitz Cellar, Haynes, Burgess, Ink Grade, Brendel, Stony Hill Vineyards, and Château Lascombes in Bordeaux – all wineries with a deep legacy that are anchored by distinct estate vineyards. Lawrence Wine Estates is led by Master Sommelier and Chief Executive Officer Carlton McCoy, Jr. All the estate wineries honor traditional winemaking philosophies and prioritize biodynamic farming techniques to create pure and balanced wines of the highest quality.
