Argyle Winery Introduces Ojo Brilloso Wines to Promote Diversity, Health and Education in The Workplace
Oregon’s Argyle Winery is excited to announce the release of its new 2021 vintage Ojo Brilloso collection, which features a trio of limited-production, single-vineyard Pinot Noirs from the Spirit Hill, Lone Star and Knudsen vineyards. Approached as a collaboration between Argyle’s vineyard supervisors and winemaker Nate Klostermann, the Ojo Brilloso program was established to honor the experience, wisdom and skill of Argyle’s vineyard team. Each supervisor selected a small, prized block of Pinot Noir in their vineyard that they personally stewarded throughout the exceptional 2021 growing season to create a wine that embodies their connection to the site and the influence they have in shaping Argyle’s wines. Available at argylewinery.com in an attractive three-bottle set for $150, charitable contributions from the sale of the Ojo Brilloso Collection support three important non-profits in the wine community: ¡Salud! A project of OHSU Health Hillsboro Medical Center, the Asociación Hispana de la Industria del Vino en Oregon y Comunidad (AHIVOY) and The Roots Fund.
AHIVOY Presses On
Less than two months after AHIVOY’s wine industry professional training began, it was abruptly paused on March 13, with one week left in the first term, when the coronavirus forced the closing of Chemeketa Community College in Salem. In the interim, planning and fundraising
have continued in the manner that evidences the determination and resilience that has characterized the Asociacion Hispana en la Industria
Vinicola de Oregon since its inception less than two years ago. In addition, AHIVOY has been increasing the awareness in the Oregon wine
industry of the benefits of the training for their vineyard stewards, the suitable designation adopted for the participants. Jessica Sandrock, a member of the education committee and coordinator of programs and grants, wrote in an e-mail: “All students are expected to return. Eleven vineyard stewards started the program in 2020. Ten will be able to complete the program. We are sad to share that one of the students, Ben Hernandez (Lange Winery) lost his battle with cancer and passed away in August.” When I spoke with him on the first day of class in January, Hernandez had said he wanted to become a manager.”
Las 4 Amigas Wine Pack | Latina Winegrowers Unite For AHIVOY
Join our virtual tasting of the wines of Latina Oregon winegrowers Cristina Gonzales, Elena Rodriguez, Sofia Torres, and Yuliana Guillen.
From Vineyard to Vintner
A new program aims to help people learn about the wine industry from the vineyard to the tasting room. Asociación Hispana de la Industria del Vino en Oregon y Comunidad (AHIVOY) was founded last year by Latinx wine industry professionals. In English, ahivoy means “there I go.” The first group of 11 students started classes on Jan. 15. Classes met on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and students learned different aspects of the industry, including vineyard management, wine making and sales.
AHIVOY at Assemblage Symposium
Outspoken viticulturist and winemaker Mimi Casteel is attracting attention worldwide for her message of regenerative agriculture. Casteel's no-till farming techniques improve soil quality, and her holistic vision is to rebuild ecosystems and bring back healthy, locally grown food.
Next, along with fellow Latinx wine industry leaders, Sofia Torres McKay has cofounded an innovative program that provides education to agricultural workers, creating opportunities for an underrepresented Spanish-speaking community whose members often live in fear, and from paycheck to paycheck.
There They Go! at Oregon Wine Press
Jesus Guillén must be smiling. The organization he envisioned for broadening vineyard workers’ opportunities in the wine industry is real and has begun affecting lives.