“We are proud to offer many leadership and management programs throughout the year; however, CULTIVAR360 is next level. The success of this unprecedented, inaugural academy proves what’s possible when a region truly invests in its people.

-Sonya DeLuca, Executive Director & CEO

CULTIVAR360 Leadership Academy

A New Standard for Leadership in Napa Valley Vineyards

The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, in partnership with UC Berkeley Executive Education at the Haas School of Business, launched something never before offered in Napa Valley’s agricultural community: CULTIVAR360 Leadership Academy—a five-day executive education experience designed specifically for vineyard supervisors and managers.

Held on the UC Berkeley campus, the inaugural academy brought together 21 vineyard leaders from across the region for an immersive learning experience typically reserved for corporate executives and Fortune 500 leadership teams. For Napa Valley’s vineyard workforce, this marked a powerful milestone—opening doors to world-class education, recognition, and career growth at the highest level.

Press Release in English

Press Release in Spanish

Funding for the CULTIVAR360 Leadership Academy was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.

CULTIVAR360 Leadership Academy in Action

Vineyard supervisors and managers are the vital contributors of Napa Valley’s winegrape industry. They lead crews, safeguard vineyard quality, and navigate increasingly complex challenges—from climate pressures to workforce dynamics. Yet access to advanced leadership education has historically been limited.
CULTIVAR360 was created to change that.
By investing in leadership at the supervisory level, the program strengthens teams from the ground up—improving communication, building confidence, and supporting long-term success for employees, employers, and the industry as a whole. It represents a bold belief: that leadership education belongs in the vineyard, not just the boardroom.
CULTIVAR360 was developed in response to a growing need for leadership and management training among vineyard supervisors—professionals who play a critical role in guiding teams, maintaining vineyard quality, and supporting long-term workforce stability.
By focusing on leadership capacity at the supervisory level, the program supports more effective communication, improved decision-making, and stronger workplace culture—benefits that extend beyond individual participants to employers, crews, and the broader winegrape industry.
Led by Andrew M. Isaacs, Senior Lecturer and Director of the New Management of Technology Programs at UC Berkeley Haas, alongside additional Haas faculty, CULTIVAR360 delivered rigorous, bilingual instruction rooted in the real-world experience of vineyard operations.
Participants developed practical leadership skills they could apply immediately, including:
- Clear, effective communication
- Collaborative team leadership
- Confident decision-making
- Adaptability in changing environments
- Emotional intelligence and self-awareness
The academy supported both professional advancement and personal growth—helping participants see themselves not only as supervisors, but as leaders shaping the future of Napa Valley vineyards.

From the first session to the final discussion, the academy was defined by deep engagement and mutual respect. Participants asked thoughtful questions, shared insights from their own vineyards, and supported one another through challenges—creating a powerful cohort rooted in trust, collaboration, and shared purpose.
One participant reflected:
“This program was absolutely phenomenal. To be part of a university experience like this is a dream come true. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to grow—not just professionally, but personally.”
The week concluded with a celebratory luncheon honoring the accomplishments of the inaugural CULTIVAR360 cohort. Participants received Certificates of Completion from UC Berkeley Executive Education, providing a prestigious academic credential that strengthens resumes and supports upward mobility.
Graduates were also recognized with:
- A Certificate of Congressional Recognition
- A California State Legislature Certificate of Recognition
- Personal congratulations from Napa County Supervisors
These acknowledgments underscored the significance of the program—not only as professional development, but as a moment of recognition and respect for leaders who help sustain Napa Valley’s excellence.
CULTIVAR360 is more than a leadership program—it is a statement. Napa Valley is the only wine region in the world making this level of commitment to leadership education for its vineyard workforce.
Sonya DeLuca, Executive Director & CEO of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, shared:
“This inaugural academy proved what’s possible when a region truly invests in its people. CULTIVAR360 sets a new benchmark for agricultural leadership education—and we’re just getting started.”

Employers & Industry Partners

CULTIVAR360 was made possible through the support of Napa Valley employers who participated in this inaugural pilot and demonstrated a shared commitment to leadership development within the vineyard workforce.

Antinori Napa Valley

Atlas Vineyard Management

Bettinelli Vineyards

Bianco Winegrowing

Coursey Graves

Domaine Services

Inglenook

John Derr Farming Company

Moulds Family Vineyard

Paradigm

Renteria Vineyard Management

Silver Oak

Silverado Farming Company

Walsh Vineyards

The Experience

Five Days of Leadership Development

Day 1: Setting the Foundation

Participants were welcomed into the program with a shared understanding of goals, expectations, and the importance of leadership in today’s vineyard environment. The day focused on personal leadership identity, strengths-based leadership, and what it means to lead in a modern agricultural workplace.

Day 2: Collaboration & Team Leadership

Day two centered on building strong, effective teams. Participants explored collaboration, teamwork, and leadership adaptability—developing tools to guide teams through change while fostering trust, accountability, and shared success.

Day 3: Problem-Solving & Decision-Making

This day focused on practical strategies for navigating challenges and making informed decisions. Participants strengthened their ability to analyze situations, weigh options, and lead with clarity and confidence in complex, real-world scenarios.

Day 4: Emotional Intelligence & Communication

Participants examined the human side of leadership—learning how emotional intelligence and effective communication strengthen relationships, improve workplace culture, and support stronger performance across teams.

Day 5: Reflection, Integration & Looking Ahead

The final day brought the program together through reflection and synthesis. Participants reviewed key learnings, shared insights, and celebrated their growth, culminating in recognition alongside employers and program partners.

The Impact

“This groundbreaking program taught supervisors—who typically rise through technical expertise—essential leadership and management skills, while building confidence, expanding career pathways, and empowering participants to lead with purpose. It sets a new standard for professional development that elevates operational excellence, strengthens teams, boosts retention and advances the quality, sustainability, and global reputation of Napa Valley vineyards and the wine they produce."

— Andrew M. Isaacs, Senior Lecturer & Director of the New Management of Technology Programs at UC Berkeley Haas
“We are proud to offer many leadership and management programs throughout the year, however, CULTIVAR360 is next level. The success of this unprecedented, inaugural academy proves what’s possible when a region truly invests in its people. Napa Valley stands alone as the only wine region in the world making this level of commitment to farmworker education and professional development — and we’re just getting started.”

— Sonya DeLuca, Executive Director & CEO, Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation
“We need leaders in the vineyard who are strategic, empathetic, confident, and adaptable to the challenges facing the wine industry, from the ground up. CULTIVAR360 provided advanced professional development, strengthening both our vineyards and the farmworkers who steward them."

— Daniela Bazan, Bazan Vineyard Management & UC Berkeley alumnus
“The pride and confidence participants gained through this program were inspiring. For many, it opened doors they never thought possible. Seeing that sense of accomplishment reinforced the importance of investing in meaningful opportunities for our employees.”

— Enrique Pedroza, Human Resources Manager, Bianco Winegrowing
“This program was absolutely phenomenal. To be part of a university experience like this is a dream come true. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to grow—not just professionally, but personally.”

— Inaugural Cohort Participant