Vineyard Academy’s Viticulture project teaches students about job in our local wine industry. It also gives them hands-on experience in maintaining our own vineyard. Here are some fun facts about this dynamic program:
2009 – Darlene Walley, the owner of Villa Terra Bella, approached instructor Barney Kaufman and the Vineyard Academy about using her vineyard to teach students about viticulture. We said “yes”, and the program began. The vineyard is on a Vacation Rental property, located on Starr Road in Windsor, one mile from Windsor HS. The vineyard is Old Vine Zinfandel, and it sits on a half-acre lot with approximately 250 old vines.
2009 – Barney Kaufman’s neighbor and close friend, Phil Bertoli, said “yes” to help manage our vineayrd. Phil advises Barney, so he can pass Phil’s wisdom along to our students.
2009 – Our first harvest was 1,100lbs, 6 students interned in the vineyard.
2010 – The harvest was 40lbs, 113 degree heat in August burned the entire crop, 6 student interns.
2011 – Mike Martini, of Taft Street, heard we were looking for a partner to process our grapes into wine. He said “yes”, and we had wine. Taft Street has been supporting us ever since, at no cost to our program. 92% of wine sale proceeds comes directly back into our program (the government gets their share!)
2011 – Harvest was 1,200lbs, late rains created lots of rot, 8 student interns.
2012 – Harvest was 4,000lbs, the largest yield to date, 10 student interns.
2013 – Harvest was 1,700lbs, 13 student interns.
2014 – Harvest was 2,100lbs, 8 student interns.
2015 – Harvest was 1,900lbs, 9 student interns.
2016 – Harvest was 2,300lbs, 12 student interns.
2017 – Huge thanks to the new owners, Nail and Anjou Kay. They purchased the property at the beginning of 2017 and continue to support the program moving forward. Harvest was 1,100lbs, 13 student interns.
2018 – Harvest was 1,700lbs, 16 student interns.
2019 – Harvest was 1,400lbs, 20 student interns.
2020 – Harvest was 1,500lbs, no student interns (due to COVID-19 restrictions), but lots of Teachers.
TOTALS TO DATE:
- GRAPES HARVESTED: 20,040lbs of grapes picked! Average of 1,670lbs per harvest and 10 student interns.
- MONEY RAISED: Approximately $78,000 (over 90% of all sales goes directly to our program.
- MONEY ALLOCATION:
- Scholarships for students – $27,000
- Equipment & materials to care for & maintain the vineyard – $25,000
- Technology and other essentials for the classroom – $21,000
- Reserves maintained – $5,000
Special thanks go to Neil and Anjou Kay, Phil Bertoli, and Mike Martini for continuing to support this amazing student project. We are truly grateful to have you as partners!