Celebrating the Heart of The Vineyards
At the heart of the vineyards and farms, the true champions are the hardworking individuals who dedicate skill, energy, and passion to cultivating the land. It is an honor and privilege to recognize farmworkers who sustain the agricultural community and exemplify excellence in everything they do. The work shapes our collective success, and the countless stories inspire.
Why Recognition Matters
Farmworkers are the backbone of Napa Valley's agricultural success, yet farmworker contributions often go unseen. With these awards, the Foundation aims to shine a light on the incredible work and celebrate the unique talents and efforts farmworkers bring to the industry at large. Through recognition, the Foundation uplifts the spirit of our community and ensures that the voices of these dedicated individuals are heard, appreciated, and valued. Every vine, every crop, every harvest is a testament to farmworker labor, and these awards are the Foundation's humble way of saying "thank you."
Join Us in Celebrating Farmworkers
Let’s celebrate the dedication, skill, and heart of the men and women who nurture the land. They are more than workers—they are champions, artisans, and scholars, creating a brighter agricultural future.
Farmworker Recognition & Awards
Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation Vineyard Champions
The Foundation's program honors farmworkers who excel in vineyard work and are committed to ongoing education and professional growth. Each year, the Vineyard Champions highlights a select group of Napa Valley farmworkers who have dedicated careers to the region's wine industry, showcasing outstanding skills, dedication, and innovation in viticultural best practices.
Vineyard Champions Exemplify the Program Goals
Celebrating Excellence: Honor Napa Valley farmworker community individuals who demonstrate exceptional performance and dedication in vineyard work.
Building Community: Create a supportive and inspiring learning environment among vineyard workers, fostering camaraderie, mutual respect, and a sense of belonging.
Elevating the Profession: Highlight the deep expertise and vital role of vineyard workers within the broader community, emphasizing their critical contributions to the success of the Napa Valley wine industry.
Encouraging Professional Growth: Acknowledge and celebrate vineyard workers who actively participate in educational workshops, seminars, and professional development programs provided by the Foundation, showcasing their commitment to learning and personal growth.
Preserving Legacies: Capture and safeguard the rich experiences and contributions of the current generation of farmworkers, ensuring that their stories and legacies endure for future generations.
Award Criteria & Selection Process
Vineyard Champions are thoughtfully chosen through a comprehensive evaluation conducted by the Foundation’s Education Committee and staff.
Criteria for selection include:
A deep commitment to continuous learning
Active participation in Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation workshops and programs
Engagement in professional development opportunities
Dedication to excellence in viticulture practices
Each year, the Vineyard Champion award recipients receive prestigious recognition and valuable opportunities for networking and professional development within the wine industry.
Vineyard Champion Awards
The Vineyard Champion Awards are presented to those who embody the spirit of leadership, expertise, and dedication in the vineyard. These individuals are experts in their craft and role models who inspire their peers with a commitment to quality and precision. Vineyard Champions demonstrate a mastery of viticulture practices, ensuring that each vine is nurtured to as close to perfection as possible and helping create world-class wines.
2023 Vineyard Champions:
Rafael Barboza, Silver Oak
Patty De la Cruz, Silver Oak
Ana Mejia, Trefethen Family Vineyards
Irene Escoto, Trefethen Family Vineyards
Alejandra Martinez, Trefethen Family Vineyards
Celia Perez, V. Sattui
Guadalupe Morales Cliff Lede
Juan Rodriguez, Chappellet Vineyard
2022 Vineyard Champions:
María Cazares, Bazán Vineyard Management
Arlee González, Bazán Vineyard Management
Graciela Tinajero, Bazán Vineyard Management
Maura Arce Aguilar, Bazán Vineyard Management
Gloria Camacho, Bazan Vineyard Management
Maria Araceli Marin, Walsh Vineyards Management
Yesenia Marin, Walsh Vineyards Management
Sandra Marin, Walsh Vineyards Management
Willson Yancor, John Derr Farming
Sergio Yancor, John Derr Farming
Rosbin Yancor, John Derr Farming
Leopoldo Ceja, Jackson Family Wines
Fernando Delgado, Michael Wolf Vineyard Services
Porfirio Martínez, Carpenter Vineyards
Napa County Pruning Contest Champions
The Napa County Pruning Contest is a community celebration of talent, skill, and precision in vineyard care.
Scoring emphasizes both technique and quality, allowing contestants to showcase their deep commitment to one of the most essential practices in Napa Valley grape growing.
The winners of this contest are true artisans, aware that each careful cut plays a pivotal role in shaping the health and yield of future harvests. Pruning is an art that blends knowledge with intuition, and the champions exemplify the highest standards of vineyard craftsmanship.
Farmworkers cultivate a brighter, bountiful future for the county's vines with every expertly placed snip.
Napa County Pruning Contest Champions
2025 Napa County Pruning Contest Champions - Women
1st - Maria Esther Pérez - Renteria Vineyard Management
2nd - Celia Martinez Lorenzo - Bayview Vineyard
3rd - Yuritzi Hernandez - Walsh Vineyards Management
4th - Angelina García - Bayview Vineyard
2025 Napa County Pruning Contest Champions - Men
1st - Salvador Eduardo Sánchez Raya - Gonzalez Vineyard
2nd - Jesus Sánchez Perez - Renteria Vineyard Management
3rd - Jose Ivan Flores, - FARM Napa Valley
4th - Benjamin Correa Perez - Atlas Vineyard Management
2024 Napa County Pruning Contest Champions - Women
1st - Ana Mejia - Trefethen Family Vineyards
2nd - Rubi Reyes Hernandez - Gonzalez Vineyard Management
3rd - Guadalupe Gutierrez - Renteria Vineyard Management
4th - Cristina Arroyo - Renteria Vineyard Management
2024 Napa County Pruning Contest Champions - Men
1st - Guadalupe Soriano - Atlas Vineyard Management
2nd - Benjamin Marron - Bettinelli Vineyards
3rd - Julio Alonso - Hardin Vineyard Management
4th - Jesús Sánchez - Renteria Vineyard Management
2023 Napa County Pruning Contest Champions - Women
1st - Alejandra Mendoza- Trefethen Family Vineyards
2nd - Reyna Hernández - Walsh Vineyard Management
3rd - Ana Mejía - Trefethen Family Vineyards
4th - Irene Escoto - Trefethen Family Vineyards
2023 Napa County Pruning Contest Champions - Men
1st - Casimiro Zaragoza - Joseph Phelps
2nd - Agustín Arias - Atlas Vineyard Management
3rd - Hector Rodríguez - St. Supéry Estate Vineyards
4th - Lorenzo Hernández Aquino - Walsh Vineyard Management
Scholar of the Year Award
This prestigious award recognizes farmworkers who have completed the most educational hours and attended the most classes through the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation’s programs over the past year. These individuals excel in daily work and are committed to advancing education — understanding that learning is key to personal and professional growth. This person demonstrates the transformative power of education on lives, families, and the agricultural community. Each year, the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation’s Scholar of the Year award is presented at the three-day Cultivar leadership and management conference.
Scholar of the Year Awards Recipients:
2024
Ana Montecillo Kerrigan, Piña Vineyard Management
Eliezer Castellanos, Domain Services
Cornelio Bocanegra, Domain Services
2023
Gonzalo Camacho, Silver Oak
Willson Yancor, John Deer Farming
Guadalupe Morales, Cliff Lede
2022
Porfirio Martínez, Carpenter Vineyards
