The congressional wine caucus gathered to recognize the Sonoma County Winegrowers leadership academy participants in DC on Wednesday. These are folks who work in vineyards and have been selected by their employer to participate in a leadership course specific to the wine industry. They all got flown to DC as part of the program.
California Rep. Mike Thompson said: "It is impossible to make great wine with bad grapes. So the folks who are working in the field are the most important part of the equation. And it is pretty remarkable to meet with these men and women, to hear their stories, to talk to them."
Sonoma County Winegrowers CEO & President Karissa Kruse said the program doesn't primarily focus on farm work skills. Instead they teach communication, conflict resolution and leadership.
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This is the second class of the leadership academy. Kruse said about 60 people flew to DC for this event.
Speaking through a translator, Cervantes told the lawmakers about the work he does in Sonoma County vineyards. He thanked the lawmakers for their continued support saying, "Not every day is the same. We have our challenges and there have been droughts, there's climate change. Some people think every day is the same, but every year is different. And we just continue to work hard to produce the best wines.”
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