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A Lifetime of Farming, Family, and Community

The Napa Valley Grapegrowers have named James “Jim” Regusci the 2026 Napa Valley Grower of the Year, recognizing his decades of leadership in vineyard farming, commitment to sustainable agriculture, and lasting contributions to the Napa Valley community.
A third-generation Napa Valley farmer with roots in the Stags Leap District, Regusci continues the legacy started by his grandfather, Gaetano Regusci, who established the family ranch in 1932. Growing up on the land that his family has stewarded for generations instilled in Jim a deep respect for agriculture, community, and the responsibility of caring for Napa Valley’s extraordinary natural resources.

Jim is the founder and owner of Regusci Vineyard Management (RVM), an enterprise he launched in 1986 at just 19 years of age. What began with a single truck and a relentless work ethic has grown into one of Napa Valley’s most respected vineyard management companies. In 1996, he founded Regusci Winery, which produces ten thousand cases annually and sells directly to consumers. Today, RVM farms more than 2,000 acres and employs a dedicated team of over 175 full-time professionals. Through this work, Jim has helped support the success of dozens of Napa Valley wineries, quietly contributing to the quality and reputation that define the region on the world stage.
In 2017, Jim and his family further demonstrated their commitment to the grower community by co-chairing and hosting Harvest STOMP, raising critical funds to support both the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation.

Beyond the vineyard, Regusci is widely known for his generosity, humility, and unwavering dedication to the Napa Valley community. He supports numerous local organizations and youth programs and frequently opens his ranch for educational vineyard tours, helping connect the next generation to agriculture and the land. Jim’s care for his team and neighbors was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he and his wife Laura launched a program providing fresh produce and protein from their ranch to employee families, a tradition that continues today. The Regusci family is also known for their annual community pumpkin patch and their long-standing support of local schools, hospitals, youth sports, and civic organizations.

Those who know Jim often point to his integrity, work ethic, and quiet leadership as defining traits. He leads by example, building long-term relationships with employees, growers, and neighbors alike. Many members of his vineyard management team have worked alongside him for decades, a testament to the culture of respect and loyalty he has cultivated.

​For Jim, farming is more than a profession—it is a lifelong commitment to stewardship. His dedication to sustainable and regenerative farming practices, investment in people, and deep pride in Napa Valley continue to shape both the vineyards he farms and the community he calls home.

Make a Gift in Jim’s Honor

Celebrate Jim Regusci's impact with a gift to the Napa Valley Grapegrowers. 
 Jim’s life and work reflect the spirit of Napa Valley agriculture. His dedication to the land, his team, and the grower community embodies the stewardship and collaboration that define our valley. Your gift helps continue that legacy by supporting education, advocacy, and the programs that keep Napa Valley vineyards thriving for generations to come.