A lifetime of Viticulture
Hermann, MO. — Stone Hill Winery is proud to announce that Jonathan Held, President of Stone Hill Winery, has received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the American Society for Enology and Viticulture-Eastern Section. The award was presented during the joint ASEV National Conference and ASEV-Eastern Section Annual Conference, held June 15–18, 2026, at the Boise Centre in Boise, Idaho.
The ASEV-Eastern Section Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes lifetime accomplishments by individuals who have made meritorious contributions to the advancement of enology, viticulture, or both. Held was honored for his lifetime of leadership and service to the grape and wine industry at the local, regional, and national levels, as well as for his lasting influence on hybrid grape and wine production, research collaboration, and industry advocacy.
Held’s career began in 1965, when, at age seven, he became his parents’ first employee during the revival of Stone Hill Winery in Hermann, Missouri, then the state’s only winery and now the cornerstone of an industry with more than 120 wineries. As his parents worked to restore one of America’s most historic wineries after the devastation of Prohibition, Jon helped wherever needed and quickly became immersed in the world of wine.
He later earned a degree in enology and viticulture from California State University, Fresno, graduating summa cum laude with the Outstanding Senior Award, and gained international winemaking experience in Switzerland and Canada before returning to Stone Hill Winery in 1983. As General Manager, and later President, Held helped grow Stone Hill to 100,000 cases annually while directly overseeing grape growing and winemaking operations, including 196 acres of hybrid grape vineyards.
Throughout his career, Held has been a leading voice for quality-focused hybrid grape and wine production. His work has helped expand the understanding, acceptance, and reputation of hybrid varieties grown in Missouri, the Midwest, and other eastern growing regions, advancing the belief that wines made from hybrid grapes can rival and stand alongside wines made from traditional Vitis vinifera varieties.
Held has also been deeply engaged in research, education, and public service. Since his return to Missouri in 1983, he has served in various leadership roles in the Missouri Wine and Grape Board, its Technical Committee, and the Missouri Wine Research and Marketing Council, as well as on University of Missouri search committees for the Missouri Wine Institute academic personnel. Beyond Missouri, his service has also included work with the National Clean Plant Network Tier II Grape Committee, the American Viticulture and Enology Research Network, the National Grape Research Alliance, the National Grape and Wine Initiative, and the Eastern Viticulture Consortium.
“My dad has always believed that great wine can come from the Midwest and from hybrid grapes when they are grown, studied, and made with care. His career has helped move that belief from possibility to reality,” said Nathan Held of Stone Hill Winery.
Dr. Keith Striegler, Grower Outreach Specialist at E. & J. Gallo Winery and previous president of ASEV, introduced Jon for his award. “When I think of Jon and his impact, the word that comes to mind is leadership. Jon has been and continues to be a leader in our industry and is very deserving of this award,” said Dr. Striegler.
The award reflects Held’s lifelong dedication to strengthening the American grape and wine industry through practical leadership, scientific engagement, mentorship, and service. From supporting research trials and clean plant initiatives to educating growers and winemakers on best practices for hybrid varieties and sustainable production, Held’s influence has helped shape the modern Midwestern wine industry and contributed to the broader advancement of American viticulture and enology.
“The most important thing I want to say today is to you young, inspiring viticulturists and enologists, serve, say yes. I encourage you to volunteer, get involved politically, and make things happen. It’s a tough industry right now, and we need leaders,” said Jonathan Held while receiving the honor. “I am incredibly honored to receive this recognition from ASEV and grateful for my family, colleagues, researchers, growers, and winemakers who have shared in this work.”
About Stone Hill Winery
Stone Hill Winery, established in 1847, is one of the nation’s oldest and most highly awarded wineries. Founding the Missouri wine industry in 1847, Stone Hill revived the state’s wine industry following Prohibition when Jim and Betty Held reopened the historic winery in 1965, sparking the modern revival of winemaking across Missouri and the broader Midwest. Today, the winery remains owned and operated by the second and third generations of the Held family and stands as the most awarded winery east of the Rockies, continuing a legacy of pioneering Missouri-grown grapes and quality-focused winemaking.
– Nathan Held, Vice President