AHIVOY Nominated for Wine Enthusiast Social Visionary of the Year Award
We are thrilled to announce that AHIVOY, the trailblazing organization dedicated to promoting education and professional development opportunities for vineyard stewards has been nominated for the prestigious Wine Enthusiast Social Visionary of the Year award.
The Asociación Hispana de la Industria del Vino en Oregon y Comunidad (AHIVOY) has been making waves in the wine industry for its unwavering commitment to positive social change. Co-founded by Sofia Torres-McKay of Cramoisi Vineyard in the Dundee Hills, Miguel Lopez, and the late Jesús Guillén. His wife, Yuliana Cisneros-Guillén, stepped into Jesús’ role upon his passing.
Together, they have a clear mission to Strengthen the Oregon Wine industry by Empowering Latinx and Hispanic vineyard stewards (workers) of the Willamette Valley through education and professional development opportunities that lead to ongoing careers in the wine industry.
Dick Erath, a wine pioneer in the Dundee Hills, was the first to believe in the mission of AHIVOY. Through the Erath Family foundation, AHIVOY was given funds to start the first cohort in 2020. Vineyard stewards from other prestigious wineries in the Dundee Hills have been part of cohorts ever since, joining the Wine Industry Professional training program held at Chemeketa and Linfield College with field trips around the Willamette Valley.
Support throughout the Dundee Hills has been strong from the beginning. Argyle, Lange Estate, Native Flora, Dobbes Family Estate, Winderlea, Stoller Family Estate, Cramoisi Vineyard and many others offer donations, graduation space and volunteers to support the work of the organization. The Four Graces Winery has offered abundant financial support to the program.
A beautiful partnership exists between Argyle and AHIVOY, where graduating students receive the Ojo Brilloso collection at graduation, a 3-bottle set featuring wines made by AHIVOY graduates. This collection is also available to purchase, with proceeds going to AHIVOY and other programs addressing equality, opportunity, and diversity within the wine industry. Those interested in supporting AHIVOY can also participate in the annual online auction from October 25-27.
“The wineries of the Dundee Hills are highly committed to supporting AHIVOY and investing in empowering vineyard stewards through education,” notes Torres-McKay. “As a result of this program we are improving wine knowledge at all levels in the industry, grape quality, and winemaking quality, but most importantly, we are improving the lives of the vineyard stewards and the community as a whole.
This Wine Enthusiast nomination is a testament to AHIVOY’s remarkable achievements and the positive impact they are making in the wine world. We eagerly await the award ceremony in February 2024, where we hope to see AHIVOY recognized as the Social Visionary of the Year, inspiring us all to raise our glasses to a more equitable wine industry.