An immigrant to the United States with more than 20 years of experience in the Virginia wine industry was recognized as Grower of the Year for 2025.
Damien Blanchon, of Afton Mountain Vineyards, received the award last week for his collaborations with other winemakers and “quality-driver standard for the entire Virginia wine industry.”
The award was presented by Virginia’s Secretary of Agriculture Katie Frazier at Hotel Madison in Harrisonburg on Feb. 25 at the Virginia Vineyards Association’s annual winter technical meeting.
Blanchon has been working in Virginia vineyards since 2006, when he immigrated to the state from his native France at the young age of 22 after obtaining a degree in viticulture and enology.
In 2011, he began managing the vineyards at Afton Mountain Vineyards.
Blanchon is a growing voice in the modern sustainability movement and is well respected as a pioneer in Virginia due to the principles he maintains at AMV.
With the help of the Virginia Wine Board, Blanchon is taking his personal mission a step further by developing a Sustainable Virginia Vineyards certification. The program, now in its pilot phase, is scheduled to be up and running by 2028; ten Virginia wineries have already committed to participating in the program.
Nominated by peers, the VVA presents the Grower of The Year award to an individual who actively manages vineyards in the state and has been deemed to be exceptional in their work and advocacy.
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Crystal Graham
