Napa, Calif.—The Napa Valley Grapegrowers announced Larry Bettinelli of Bettinelli Vineyards is the 2016 recipient of the Napa Valley Grower of the Year award. Bettinelli will be honored for his contributions to the Napa Valley wine industry and the community on Friday, May 13 at the Napa Valley Grapegrowers’ 41st Annual Dinner.

According to the statement announcing the award, Bettinelli currently serves on the Napa County Disease and Pest Control District board, is the chairman of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers Industry Issues Committee and president of the Pope Valley Farm Center. Recently, he was a member of the Napa County Agricultural Protection Advisory Committee, which met to define policy objectives for the preservation of vineyards and agriculture.

Bettinelli is the former general manager for Christian Brothers, vineyard manager for Beringer Vineyards, vineyard manager for Jaeger Vineyards and served as a helicopter pilot for the United States Marine Corps. He was born in Petaluma, Calif., graduated from St. Helena High School in 1966 and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 1971 with a degree in Agriculture.