Orange Vista High School Vineyard

It’s incredible how a simple over-the-fence conversation with your neighbor can spark ideas that lead to a meeting, and eventually result in planting a vineyard at a local high school.

Last summer, as I was working in my yard, I noticed that my neighbor, Lou, was fiddling with what appeared to be a grapevine. I popped my head over the fence and watched as he wrestled with the canes, trying to decide how to prune his vigorously growing Chardonnay.

“Do you need help?”

“You know something about pruning vines?”

“Yeah, a little.”

The 10 minute conversation that ensued sparked an idea. Lou is a Vice Principal at Orange Vista High School in Perris, California, one of our neighboring cities. Lou and I exchanged thoughts on how a small vineyard could teach students about farming, chemistry and biology. The idea was that learning about a vineyard could inspire students to get into not only agriculture, but all of the various industries that come along with vineyards and wine.

Several site visits and meetings later, the Val Verde School District approved the planting of a vineyard on Orange Vista High School property.

I am ecstatic to share that on May 14, 2018, the first vine went into the ground! The Orange Vista vineyard sits on just under three quarters of an acre and is now home to 900 vines! The Cabernet Sauvignon vines were generously donated by Wonderful Nurseries, and the administration, faculty and students had a blast placing their vines in the soil. We planted the vineyard with our signature style of white end posts and red roses on every row.

This project means so much to our family. When I relayed the idea to them, everyone was thrilled to participate. The thought of exposing future generations of students to agriculture, viticulture and the sciences and industries associated with it was endorsed wholeheartedly. Together, with Orange Vista administration, we are carefully forming a curriculum. The school is so engaged with the project that the teacher who will be spearheading the program will be receiving hands-on training at our winery throughout this growing season. As a parent, it is so inspiring and refreshing to see a school putting so many resources towards developing our nation’s future leaders of industry. I am honored to have been a part of history in planting the first school vineyard here in Southern California. Major kudos to all the administration of Val Verde Unified School District and the faculty and students of Orange Vista High School for being pioneers!