Participants of Innovative Program Now Heading to Washington, D.C.
SANTA ROSA, Calif. (June 29, 2023) – It is thought to be the nation’s only program for vineyard workers intended to create future leaders in their industry and community. “It” is the Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos’ Leadership Academy and it held its second annual graduation ceremony yesterday to honor 20 local vineyard employees.
The Academy does not teach new farming skills. Instead, it focuses on introducing, developing, and advancing vital skills needed for vineyard employees to become future leaders in the wine industry and local community.
“Our goal is to create future business and community leaders. This is why the leadership academy has quickly been recognized as one of the nation’s premier programs to provide opportunities for local vineyard employees to connect and lead our industry in the years to come,” said Karissa Kruse, executive director of the Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos and CEO of the Sonoma County Winegrowers. She added, “In fact, the program’s two graduating classes will be traveling to Washington, D.C., at the invitation of Congressman Mike Thompson and attend a reception hosted by the Congressional Wine Caucus.”
For any sustainable business, particularly a family-owned business, to be successful, new opportunities must be created for employees to learn, connect, and lead in the years ahead. This was part of the inspiration for Sonoma County’s winegrape growers when they launched the nation’s first Leadership Academy for vineyard employees two years ago.
The Academy provides participants with a unique opportunity to learn about a host of topics taught during the eight-month program including financial literacy, conflict resolution, community resources, communications, wine production and more to provide critical professional development. The Academy courses are offered in both English and Spanish to ensure the content is understood and questions can be asked and answered. Each year, candidates for the program are nominated by their employers and go through a selection process. Each class size is limited to 20 participants to ensure a good experience and an opportunity for individuals to freely ask questions and to build a professional network.
“From the beginning, we have sought to make this the most meaningful leadership program in U.S. agriculture. There is nothing more gratifying than to see the Academy participants grow personally and professionally in front of our eyes,” said Duff Bevill, chairman of the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation’s board of directors. He added, “The sky is the limit for each of these graduates. Most importantly, our winegrape growing community is committed to continue to support our skilled agricultural workforce and their families for years to come.”
Next month, vineyard employees from the first and second classes of the Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos’ Leadership Academy are headed to Washington, D.C. to attend the annual Congressional Wine Caucus reception at the invitation of Congressman Thompson and flying there courtesy of Alaska Airlines.
“The relationship between Sonoma County winegrape growers and their vineyard employees helps make our wine region one of the best in the world. Through the Leadership Academy and the many other programs offered by the Foundation, it is clear that the Sonoma County winegrowers are putting their employees first and helping them succeed,” said Congressman Mike Thompson. He added, “I am looking forward to welcoming this outstanding group of vineyard workers to Washington, D.C. and thanking them for their incredible work on behalf of our community.”
The 2023 Leadership Academy graduates are:
- Roberto Alvarez, Sangiacomo Family Vineyards
- Jose Elias Avila, Lynmar Estate
- Pedro Cabrera, St. Francis Winery
- Guadalupe Cespedes, Redwood Empire Vineyard Management
- Cirilo Contreras, Martinelli Vineyard Management
- Jose Ventura Vieyra Garcia, Cornerstone Certified Vineyard
- Jaime Guerrero, Dutton Ranch
- Jose Guzman, Robert Young Vineyards
- Manuel Hernandez, Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards
- Maria Hernandez, Bevill Vineyard Management
- Anelly Reyes Jimenez, Cornerstone Certified Vineyard
- Juan Lara, Munselle Vineyards
- Ricardo Morales Lucas, Sangiacomo Family Vineyards
- Jose Martinez, Dutton Ranch
- Oscar Meza, Bevill Vineyard Management
- Ramon Murillo, Vino Farms
- Pablo Ruano, Redwood Empire Vineyard Management
- Jose Saldana, Jordan Vineyard & Winery
- Sal Jimenez Sandoval, Vino Farms
- Isidro Vigil, Atlas Vineyard Management
