AHIVOY Celebrates a Sixth Cohort
/I have been honored to write about Asociación Hispana de la Industria del Vino en Oregon y Comunidad (Hispanic Association of the Wine Industry in Oregon and Community), more commonly called AHIVOY, since arriving in Oregon wine country. My first cover story for Oregon Wine Press attempted to tell their story in some depth. Here is a piece about the organization’s most recent graduation day.
ahivoy’s 2025 graduates
A warm, brilliant April day brought 15 Oregon vineyard stewards, along with family and friends, to Chemeketa Community College's picturesque Eola Campus and Event Center to celebrate their graduation as AHIVOY's sixth cohort.
Since 2019, Asociación Hispana de la Industria del Vino en Oregón y Comunidad / Hispanic Association of the Wine Industry in Oregon and the Community, better known as AHIVOY, has offered a winter instructional program for vineyard stewards who are nominated and supported by their employers.
The nonprofit's 17-week program begins with explaining the reasons behind vineyard practices. Participants later widen their understanding through visits to wineries and classroom studies that cover winemaking, cellar techniques and the business aspects of the industry. Each year, Miguel Garcia, the beverage director for República & Co., provides insights on wine history, appreciation and etiquette. Additionally, previous graduates and industry experts conduct sessions.
A REMARKABLE VINTAGE
For the first time, more than a third of the cohort consisted of women. Miguel López, a co-founder of the organization, its current board chair and owner of Red Dirt Vineyard Management and Winemaking, anticipated that the women would influence the group dynamic. "And it did," he said, "in a beautiful way," citing the class’s quick cohesion.
Among this year's cohort is Jorge Loeza, who was one of four recipients of the Vineyard Excellence Award at February's Oregon Wine Symposium. In announcing the award, the Oregon Wine Board affirmed that "Jorge's consistency, dedication and willingness to learn make him an invaluable member of the winegrowing community."
Family members, colleagues and well-wishers enjoyed midday wine and sandwiches around tables overlooking rolling hills of vines displaying the first signs of bud break. Board member Maria Uribe invited each graduate forward to receive a diploma, medallion and wine gifts provided by Argyle Winery. Other event sponsors included Anderson Family Vineyard, Ayoub Wines, Chemeketa Community College, Cramoisi Vineyard, Dobbes Family Winery, The Four Graces Winery, Lange Estate Winery, Linfield University, LucidWild Estate, Native Flora, Results Partners and Stoller Family Estate.
During their time to share, many expressed gratitude to López, the Education Committee's Elena Rodríguez and Bryan Berenguer, the Vineyard Management Instructor at Chemeketa, where much of the instruction unfolded.
"I promise you all that everything I learned I will teach to others and I will encourage others to move forward in their lives," said Filiberta Andrade, addressing the gathering in Spanish. "I can teach younger people to move forward, to continue their studies, to continue trying, so they have a higher level of knowledge."
filiberta andrade
LEARNING NEVER ENDS
Over the years, 79 vineyard stewards have successfully finished the AHIVOY program. The organization remains dedicated to their lifelong learning by providing funding for enrollment in Chemeketa's Vineyard Supervisor Certificate classes. They also offer occasional sessions on specific technical topics, ongoing English classes and mentoring support.
López reflected that what began "as a simple idea, over coffee between three friends, has evolved into an educational component that has opened doors." Six years on, "we have helped 79 families, we have helped establish generational education growth," he said. "We have helped establish opportunities to explore ideas, things that they might have thought were out of reach for them.
“Not so much anymore."
