2011 Winegrower of the Year From Eastern Shore

Rock Stephens on the Eastern Shore (pictured here with Virginia First Lady Maureen McDonnell) has been named 2011 Winegrower of the Year by the Virginia Vineyards Association.

Stephens and his wife, Kris, own The Vineyard at Point Breeze, a 12-acre vineyard located in Belle Haven. His passion for wine began after taking wine-related courses at Michigan State University in 1978. He has been making wine for more than 10 years and has won numerous amateur winemaking awards in international competition.

Since retiring as a captain in the U.S. Navy, Stephens has been active in the state’s winemaking industry. He served as president of the vineyards association from 2005-2009 and was appointed by former Gov. Mark Warner to the Virginia Wine Board and currently serves as its chairman.

Stephens has an MBA from Michigan State University and is a graduate of the executive program at the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia.

Source: Daily Press.com