Parker earns place in Vintners Hall of Fame

American wine critic Robert Parker will be inducted into the Culinary Institute of America’s Vintners Hall of Fame next month.

Robert Parker. Credit: AFP

The first wine critic to enter the hall of fame, Parker, founder of bimonthly newsletter The Wine Advocate, is arguably the most powerful critic in the wine world.

“This means a lot to me from one of my favourite wine regions, many thanks,” Parker tweeted yesterday.

Alongside Parker, late wine writer and author Frank Schoonmaker, pioneering winemaker Meredith “Merry” Edwards, and Mexican-American leader of the Union of Farm Workers, the late Cesar Chavez will also be honoured.

Founded in 2007, the seventh annual induction ceremony will take place on 18 February at the Culinary Institute of America in the Napa Valley.

“This year’s inductees represent a broad spectrum of the wine world and demonstrate how people from vastly different professions have influenced the quality and perception of California wines,” said CIA president Tim Ryan.

As the induction falls on Presidents Day, a dozen California wineries will host a reception featuring wine and food pairings from previous White House menus.

Robert Mondavi’s Vintners Hall of Fame plaque

The class of 2013 will then be inducted in the Vintners Hall of Fame Barrel Room after the unveiling of sculpted bronze plaques honoring those inducted in 2012.

Following the induction, past Vintners Hall of Fame inductees will provide a number of their wines to be served with dinner.

Already inducted into the Hall of Fame are Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon, Joel Peterson of Ravenswood, Warren Winiarski of Stag’s Leap, winemaker and consultant Zelma Long, Paul Draper of Ridge, Gallo founders Ernest and Julio Gallo, and the “godfather” of California wine, the late Robert Mondavi.