Cynthia Lohr

Co-Owner/Chief Brand Officer, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wine

As the daughter of California wine pioneer Jerry Lohr, Cynthia Lohr spent part of her youth in the vineyards and cellars, absorbing aspects of the wine industry firsthand. As an adult, she chose her own path, establishing a reputation for excellence in strategic marketing communications and brand and business development while working with a who’s who of leading Internet and technology companies. In 2002, Cynthia joined the family business as director of communications for J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines; in 2009, she was named marketing vice president.

Prior to joining J. Lohr in 2002, Cynthia was a vice president at AlexanderOgilvy Public Relations Worldwide, where her division served an array of clients including Covad Communications, TurboLinux, HomePNA, iPIX, Preview Systems, and Vicinium Systems. Cynthia also was director of communications for Alexa Internet, which was acquired by Amazon in 1999. While at technology public relations firm Niehaus Ryan Group, Cynthia led Yahoo!’s pre-IPO strategic messaging efforts, helping to build the company’s consumer brand from 1995 to 1997. She also directed strategic communications initiatives and executed numerous product launches for VeriSign, InsWeb, and Organic Online. Before joining Niehaus Ryan Group, Cynthia was the director of business development at PRx, a strategic marketing communications firm serving Silicon Valley technology clients.

Cynthia graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French with a minor in Psychology from UC Davis. In addition to her targeted career path, Cynthia is passionate about service, community, family, and philanthropy. In 2016, she was appointed to the UC Davis Dean’s Advisory Council. Cynthia is a founding member and former board vice president of the Paso Robles CAB (Cabernet and Bordeaux) Collective, serves on the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Trade Committee, and is an advisory committee member for Central Coast InsightsDream Big DarlingNational Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc®, and Women of the Vine & Spirits. Cynthia also served as board director and on strategic committees for Edgewood Center for Children and Families from 2006 to 2013, cofounded the Edgewood Hope Ball, and established the Carol Waldorf Lohr Outdoor Kitchen within the Edgewood Garden Learning Center. From 2008 to 2014, Cynthia assisted in rebranding efforts as board director for Headlands Center for the Arts. Cynthia also served as board director for coastal learning farm Slide Ranch from 2008 to 2015. Most recently, Cynthia has been appointed board director with REACH Central Coast, dedicated to advancing ideas and action for a thriving Central Coast.

Recognition of Cynthia’s impact include nominations for the 2019 Wine Enthusiast Magazine Wine Star Award for Wine Executive of the Year and the 2021 ‘Top 100 Women of Influence’ by the Silicon Valley Business Journal. Cynthia resides with her family in San Francisco, is the proud mother of two independent, successful adult daughters, and is equally committed to and enthusiastic about music, reading, writing, and the outdoors.