The V75 Vineyard announces the promotion of Jose Luis Yanez to the new position of director of viticulture, where he will oversee all aspects of the company’s vineyard operations.
Previously the manager for the last four years, Yanez was a vital contributor to establishing and maintaining the company’s premium vineyard, said the Jan. 31 press release. The new position enhances Yanez’s role, with the added responsibility of managing personnel decisions, chemigation, fertigation, irrigation and equipment maintenance.
“Jose has demonstrated unparalleled dedication and expertise in support of our vineyard over the last few years,” Gene Callan, president of V75, said in the press release, “and we look forward to his leadership carrying us into the future. He is a part of our vineyard family, and we are honored that he has accepted this well-deserved promotion.”
Yanez possesses an assortment of agricultural knowledge, gained at several of Washington’s premium vineyards, including Champoux Vineyards. Yanez credits Paul Champoux for mentoring and shaping his early years in the vineyard. “Jose always had a keen interest in plant nutrition,” the famed 75-year-old Paul Champoux said from his home in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, “and I am proud of his continued growth in our Washington vineyard industry.”
Today, Yanez will still occasionally call his old friend with a question on a unique condition in the vineyard. “I have worked in Washington’s agricultural world for the last thirty years and appreciate the lessons learned from many of our industry leaders including Paul, and Hipolito Vargas,” Yanez said in the press release, “and I look forward to the continued development of our vineyard, which I believe is located in one of the best growing zones of the West Coast.”
Yanez and his wife, Cecilia, have their own vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. He is active in his church, the Knights of Columbus and is a Parent Advisory Committee Officer for the Prosser School District’s Migrant Program.
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