Joel Peterson, Founder of Ravenswood Winery, is Inducted into the Culinary Institute of America's Vintners Hall of Fame

Widely regarded as the "Godfather of California Zinfandel," Ravenswood Founding Winemaker Joel Peterson has been named to the 2011 Vintners Hall of Fame by The Culinary Institute of America (CIA). The induction, held on February 21, 2011 in St. Helena, recognized Peterson's significant contributions to the California wine industry and, in particular, his unswerving devotion to and protection of California's old-vine Zinfandel vineyards - a living testament to the state's earliest winegrowing history.

The Vintners Hall of Fame celebrates the men and women whose collective vision, determination and hard work have been responsible for the growth and worldwide prestige of the California wine industry. Inductees to the Class of 2011 were elected by 74 members of the Vintners Hall of Fame Electoral College, which consists of past inductees and members of the wine media. 2011's honorees join 28 other wine luminaries inducted since the Vintners Hall of Fame was established in 2007.

Said Peterson, "Wonder, elation and humility are what I felt when I learned I would be included in the Vintners Hall of Fame alongside some of my wine heroes, the remarkable and talented personalities that have helped establish the world class wine business we know today."

Including the 2011 inductees, there are only 33 inductees in the CIA Vintners Hall of Fame. Robert Mondavi, inducted in 2007, is also a member.

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