To adequately explain why I am so thrilled to be the Marketing and Communications Manager for the Lodi Winegrape Commission, I need to convey a little background.
My love affair with Lodi began about 15 years ago as a regular visitor to tasting rooms throughout the area. In the ensuing years, my admiration deepened as the best-kept secret in the world of wine unfolded before me.
Fast forward to 2014. I interviewed noted wine writer Randy Caparoso at the Starbuck’s on Kettleman Lane for an article about Lodi’s diversity as a winegrowing region. In addition to working for The Record as the sports editor, I started a wine column for the paper that focused on wine regions throughout the world, with emphasis on the Lodi American Viticulture Area.
When I sat down with Randy, I had solid knowledge about wine and Lodi. But Randy inspired me to learn more. I rarely passed on an opportunity to expand my knowledge by spending time with growers, winemakers and industry professionals.
What has been so wonderful about Lodi has been its warm, welcoming spirit. Many people have been so giving of their time, sharing stories about their family’s history, their business philosophies and their winemaking practices.
Perhaps this helps explain why I am honored and privileged to be with the Lodi Winegrape Commission. I plan to share my passion about this remarkable region, its great people and their remarkable work to the rest of the world.
I look forward to doing all I can to let others know what I know: LODI RULES!
– Bob Highfill, Marketing & Communications Manager, Lodi Winegrape Commission
PRESS RELEASE:
Lodi, CA. August 29, 2017 – Highfill will coordinate various marketing, communications, and public relations strategies, work on specific projects and fulfill daily demands for the Commission.
“I am honored and excited to join the Lodi Winegrape Commission in a capacity where I will be able to channel my passion for this incredible area,” Highfill said. “The history and diversity of Lodi make it one of the great wine regions in the world.”
Highfill brings a wealth of journalism and wine industry experience to the position. For 27 years, he served San Joaquin, Amador, and Calaveras counties as a reporter and editor for The Record (Stockton, CA) daily newspaper, including 11 years as the sports editor.
“Bob brings with him a breadth of knowledge and experience from his journalism career, and he also has a passion for and understanding of the wine industry,” says Wendy Brannen, Executive Director of the Commission. “To top that off, people in this community know and love Bob, so we’re thrilled to have him here on the Commission team promoting our region’s fantastic wines and winegrapes.”
Since 2014, Highfill has written a weekly wine column called “From the Vine,” which highlights various wine regions but with emphasis on the Lodi American Viticulture Area, Wine Enthusiast magazine’s Wine Region of the Year in 2015.
Highfill has interacted with many of Lodi’s winegrowers, winery owners, and winemakers through his column and by working the past year-plus as a tasting room associate at the Lodi Wine and Visitor Center.
In 2015, Highfill earned the Level 3 award from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. He has judged several wine competitions, including the Bottle Shock Open and the Consumer Wine Awards.
Highfill lives in Stockton and is married to Christiane, who is assuming Highfill’s weekend tasting room position at the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center.
See more from Bob Highfill in the coming months on Lodi Wine’s instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!
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