June 15, 2012, Santa Rosa, Calif. – Doug McIlroy, Rodney Strong Vineyards received the 2012 Viticulture Award of Excellence from the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission (SCWC) at the group’s annual barbecue on June 15. SCWC annually presents the Viticulture Award of Excellence to recognize individuals or families who have made significant contributions to SCWC, to Sonoma County viticulture, and the greater wine and local communities.
Doug McIlroy grew up in Sonoma County agriculture. Doug has worked, owned and operated Aquarius Ranch Associates at 8410 Westside Road in Healdsburg over the last 40 years, growing for a number of wineries including Davis Bynum, De Loach, Gary Farrell, La Crema, Rochiolli, and Rodney Strong. Doug has a B.S. in Plant Science and a B.A. in Economics from US Davis. He has worked as grower relations representative for Fetzer Vineyards, Kendall Jackson Winery and currently is the Director of Winegrowing for Rodney Strong Vineyards.
Doug’s winegrowing philosophy is one that believes in maximizing a vineyard’s potential based on sound judgments and practices that make sense economically while protecting our resources, and benefiting our community.
Doug has been a leader in responding to the State Water Resources Control Board’s frost regulation issues. He serves on the Board of the Russian River Water Conservation Council that will develop a stream monitoring program and water demand management plan for the Russian River watershed. In recognition of Doug’s countless hours representing grower interests on water use for frost protection and water rights in general, Doug was nominated by the SCWC to receive a Spirit of Sonoma Award from Sonoma County Economic Development Board.
McIlroy joined Rodney Strong Wine Estates in 2001. His responsibilities include overseeing viticulture practices of the company’s estate vineyards and grower relations and contract negotiations for both Rodney Strong and Davis Bynum.
Doug’s relentless pursuit of quality takes him into and through the vineyard on a very regular basis, to be sure. It also, for him, means constant evaluation by tasting through wines with winemakers Rick Sayre and Greg Morthole. McIlroy says, “Every vineyard site has a maximum potential for quality and I’m driven to achieve that through viticulture. I believe that tending vines should be based on a strong understanding of plant physiology, which in turn will produce significant and meaningful increases in wine quality.”
In addition to winegrowing responsibilities, McIlroy is a leader in the area of sustainability at Rodney Strong Winery. He has put numerous green practices in place in the winery’s estate vineyards, initiated grower sustainability compliance and led the winery, with other senior managers, to carbon neutrality in 2009.
Doug resides just down the road from the winery in Santa Rosa, California. And, when he’s not in a vineyard, there’s a good chance you’ll find him with his fly rod at the nearest fishing hole.
“I sincerely appreciate this award. It is an honor for me that could not have been possible without the support and hard work of so many who have dedicated themselves to making Sonoma County winegrowing what it is today. This is special place that we love for its rich diversity of appellations. I firmly believe some of the best wines in the world are made right here in Sonoma County.”
The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission was established in 2006 as a non-profit marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. With more than 1,800 growers, SCWC’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers around the world.
Editors Note: A downloadable photo of Doug McIlroy is availabe at:
###
