2021 Agriculturalist of the Year Davie Piña
CEO Ryan Klobas honors Davie Piña, the 2021 Agriculturalist of the Year
As Napa Valley’s 2021 Agriculturalist of the Year, Davie Piña is being honored for the innovative ways that he has approached sustainable agriculture in Napa Valley and for his longstanding commitment to community service.
A sixth generation Napa Valley farmer, Davie holds a strong connection to the community that goes back for generations. He attended high school locally at St. Helena high school and went on to attend college at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Davie became an assistant winemaker at Rutherford Hill Winery from 1973-1980. After 7 years of extensive contributions toward the company, Davie joined John Piña Jr & Sons Vineyard Management, where he continued to broaden his knowledge of viticulture. Finally, in 1991, Davie became a managing partner at Piña Vineyard Management, where he has worked ever since.
Along with his demonstrated work ethic and commitment to agriculture, Davie has a rich history of civic engagement and service to the surrounding community. He served on the Board of Directors and as president of the Rutherford Dust Society, a group of community members committed to promoting the highest standards possible for grape-growing and acting as good stewards to the land on which they grow grapes. Davie has also served on the Board of Directors and as president of the Winegrowers of Napa County, and on the Board of Directors for the Napa County Farm Bureau and the Rutherford Grange. In 1998, he became Chair of the RDRT River Restoration team, which led efforts to restore the Napa River.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the community, in 2007, Davie was recognized by the Napa Valley Grape-Growers as Grower of the Year. As part of his mission to assist his community, Davie has served with the Rutherford Volunteer Fire Department since 1987 and was its chief from 2012-2021. In recognition of his tremendous leadership to the department, he was recognized as the 2013 Fire Fighter of the Year. Davie has continuously pioneered innovative ways to approach sustainable agriculture in Napa Valley and is known throughout Napa as someone committed to sustainability and community service in all realms.
Davie is married to his wife Jennifer, his lifelong supporter, for 48 years. “Davie is someone who encompasses all the qualities of an agriculturalist who is not only committed to sustainable agriculture in Napa Valley, but also committed to our community” said Eric Pooler, Vice President of the Napa County Farm Bureau. “We are proud to honor his service and commitment to Napa Valley agriculture.”