2025 Lifetime Achievement Award: Bill Hanna

The Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) 50th Annual Celebration was a night to remember—not just for its milestone anniversary, but for the presentation of a brand-new honor: the NVG Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is reserved for individuals whose life’s work embodies the spirit of stewardship, collaboration, and excellence that defines Napa Valley winegrowing. It is not given annually but is reserved for those whose contributions have stood the test of time, shaping the land, the community, and the future of viticulture.

On this special evening, the first-ever NVG Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Bill Hanna, a fifth-generation California farmer, conservationist, and a pillar of the Napa Valley winegrowing community. Bill’s legacy stretches back to 1853, when his ancestors began farming in California. He is a direct descendant of conservationist John Muir, and his life’s work has carried that legacy forward in remarkable ways.

After a distinguished career in the Air Force, where he led environmental laboratories and championed worker safety and emissions controls, Bill returned to Napa to carry on his family’s viticultural tradition. Through Muir-Hanna Vineyards, Bill and his family have nurtured 45 acres with a deep respect for environmental responsibility.

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Bill and his wife, Claudia

Beyond his work in the vineyard, Bill’s influence extends throughout the NVG community. He has served on the NVG Board, chaired the Issues Committee, and played a pivotal role in promoting Fish Friendly Farming and public education initiatives like Ag in the Classroom. Alongside his wife Claudia—herself a dedicated community contributor—Bill has built a legacy rooted in advocacy, mentorship, and quiet, steady leadership.

“Bill’s unwavering commitment to Napa Valley agriculture exemplifies the very essence of this award,” said Caleb Mosley, Executive Director of NVG. “From his early years growing up on a working ranch to his remarkable career in both viticulture and community leadership, Bill has not only contributed to the industry’s growth but has also helped to preserve the rich agricultural heritage of Napa Valley for future generations.”

Bill Hanna’s work reminds us that stewardship isn’t just about tending vines—it’s about tending to the future. His lifetime of dedication to sustainable farming, mentorship, and advocacy serves as a lasting example of what it means to grow with purpose. 

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