# Sonoma County Winegrowers CEO Wins Wine Star Award

> Sonoma County Winegrowers CEO Karissa Kruse unites regional wine groups and pushes sustainable practices.
- Title: Sonoma County Winegrowers CEO Wins Wine Star Award | Shortify
- Summary: Sonoma County Winegrowers CEO Karissa Kruse unites regional wine groups and pushes sustainable practices.
- Keywords: sonoma county winegrowers, karissa kruse, sonoma county wine, sonoma county vintners, sustainable vineyards, wine star awards, wine executive 2026, certified sustainable winegrowing, Wineenthusiast
- Source: Wineenthusiast — https://wineenthusiast.com/culture/industry-news/wine-star-awards/wine-executive-2026
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sonoma county winegrowers, karissa kruse, sonoma county wine, sonoma county vintners, sustainable vineyards, wine star awards, wine executive 2026, certified sustainable winegrowing
## Sonoma County Winegrowers CEO
Karissa Kruse, CEO of Sonoma County Winegrowers, unites regional wine groups and pushes sustainable practices.

> When I came to Sonoma County, I saw an opportunity to apply my experience to an entire wine region.
## Merger of Wine Organizations
Sonoma County Winegrowers merged with Sonoma County Vintners to form Sonoma County Wine starting January 2027.
## Sustainable Winegrowing Progress
Sonoma County achieved 99% certified sustainable vineyard acreage after five years of effort.
## Farm of the Future Program
Sonoma County Winegrowers launched Farm of the Future to partner with tech companies like Ford Pro and John Deere.
## Kruse's Background
Kruse's experience outside the wine industry helped her see problems with greater clarity.

> Because I didn’t grow up in the wine industry, I wasn’t tied to how things had always been done.
## Sustainable Practices
Kruse and her team achieved 99% certified sustainable vineyard acreage through collaboration and belief in the vision.
## Kruse's Vision
Kruse focuses on inviting innovative companies to work directly with growers to test and scale new solutions.

> Our growers aren’t just adopting technology. They're helping develop it.
## Wine Star Award
Karissa Kruse won Wine Enthusiast's 2026 Wine Executive of the Year award.
## Future of Wine
Sonoma County leaders seek new growth opportunities in the global wine market.
## Wine Star Awards
Wine Enthusiast's 2026 Wine Star Awards recognize industry leaders and regional wine regions.
## Key takeaway

Karissa Kruse, CEO of Sonoma County Winegrowers, merged Sonoma County Winegrowers and Sonoma County Vintners to create Sonoma County Wine, achieving 99% certified sustainable vineyards.