CalTravel Awards Santa Rosa’s Paradise Ridge Winery of the Year

Each year, CalTravel (a statewide organization which serves as a unified voice for California’s travel and tourism industry) holds an annual summit of travel and tourism industry stakeholders. Last week at the 36th Annual California Travel Summit held in San Diego, Santa Rosa’s very own Paradise Ridge Winery was awarded the California Travel Winery of the Year. On hand to receive the award was vice-president and co-owner of Paradise Ridge, Sonia Byck-Barwick, and representing Santa Rosa at the summit was Visit Santa Rosa’s Executive Director, Brad Calkins.

Beyond being recognized for the winemaker’s excellent wine, a major component of the decision process includes the winery’s contribution to developing the California tourism brand. The award recognizes the innovation, success and commitment to the travel industry.

“Visit Santa Rosa congratulates the Byck family and the Paradise Ridge team. We extend our gratitude for their contributions to Santa Rosa and Sonoma County tourism during an extremely challenging year,” said Brad Calkins. “Individuals and organizations like Paradise Ridge play an integral part in the overall health and prosperity of our industry.”

The CalTravel Tourism awards recognize those who have made a dramatic impact for their respective area in the past year through innovation, awareness, creativity or stewardship. This year’s CalTravel Tourism award winners include the Cultural Tourism Champion, Culinary Champion of the Year, the Brewery of the Year, and California Travel Winery of the Year.

CalTravel protects and enhances the interests and investments of the California travel and tourism industry through advocacy, collaboration, and education. By advocating directly to the state legislature, the Governor’s office, local and federal officials, and the public, CalTravel addresses issues that affect the state’s tourism industry including promoting California as a visitor destination, facilitating travel to and within California, supporting responsible long-term development projects that directly impact the travel industry, protecting the travel and tourism industry from unnecessary costs of doing business, and ensuring an equal playing field for fair competition in a rapidly changing industry.