Our on-campus student outreach efforts maintained strong momentum throughout the spring, as we welcomed a diverse range of visitors and collaborators. This quarter, we hosted community college counselors and administrators and middle and high school students from the Lodi and Napa Valley regions. In addition, our undergraduate advisor, Liz, and the broader team demonstrated exceptional leadership in engaging admitted students during Aggie Day and Picnic Day, encouraging prospective Aggies to enroll at UC Davis. These initiatives provided meaningful opportunities to showcase our facilities, connect with prospective students, and deepen relationships with key partners.
The team collaborated closely with the UC Davis Office of Undergraduate Admissions to host a group of 28 out-of-state high school counselors. These counselors participated in a guided tour of the Teaching and Research Winery and campus vineyards, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the student experience. They were extremely impressed by our Assistant Vineyard Manager, Dawson’s, hands-on learning activity analyzing the different leaf shapes and learning about the variety of ongoing research projects in our vineyards. The counselors shared that during their two-day trip at UC Davis, they loved how enthusiastic and passionate the people that work on campus are.
Engagement with younger audiences continued to be a central component of our outreach strategy. We hosted and visited schools from the the Bay Area, Lodi, and Napa Valley for several half-day events featuring program overviews and interactive, hands-on activities such as Brix measurements, a jelly bean sensory analysis, and grape crushing. Our Outreach Coordinator, Alejandra, developed a new Family Feud type of game to quiz students on their wine industry knowledge and the UC Davis Admission requirements.
This quarter also marked our continued progress in building partnerships with the Lodi Appellation Inclusion Collective, Improve Your Tomorrow, and the San Joaquin A+ Project. These organizations share a commitment to expanding educational access by exposing young men of color to career opportunities within their regions, including those in the wine industry. For the group's most recent visit to campus, Alejandra designed a scavenger hunt that encouraged students to explore the opportunities available at UC Davis and within V&E. We look forward to further developing these partnerships to provide sustained, early exposure to viticulture and enology.
April featured two of UC Davis’s largest public-facing events: Aggie Day and Picnic Day. During Aggie Day, Liz and our Chair, Ben Montpetit, connected with admitted students and their families, providing detailed information about the V&E major and the benefits of attending UC Davis. Ben led a tour of the winery, offering prospective students a firsthand look at program facilities and resources. We welcomed special guest, alumna, and current Executive Board member Lauren Saltiel of The Duckhorn Portfolio, who spoke with students about why she chose UC Davis and how deeply the wine industry relies on Aggies to help solve its most pressing challenges.
Our participation in Picnic Day included a booth in the Good Life Garden, where the V&E team distributed 1,000 Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines—double the number from last year. These vines were generously donated by Casa Cristal Nursery and the Zaninovich Family. Visitors engaged with a variety of interactive activities, including estimating the number of grapes in a press (634) and participating in a guided winery tour led by Ben. The Davis Enology and Viticulture Organization (DEVO), alongside Caroline, our Events & Programs Manager, played an integral role in coordinating the booth and sharing information about student involvement and departmental initiatives.
Overall, Spring 2026 has been a highly productive and impactful period for student outreach. We remain committed to sustaining this momentum and expanding our reach. Individuals or organizations interested in learning more about the V&E program, visiting our facilities, or connecting virtually are encouraged to contact Alejandra at [email protected].