(KRON) -- Elias Fernandez, whose parents were Mexican immigrant farmworkers, has worked for 42 years as a winemaker at Shafer Vineyards in Napa Valley.
His career reflects generations of Latino labor in Napa Valley, spanning from manual vineyard tasks to leadership in winemaking. After studying agriculture at UC Davis, Fernandez built a career at the same winery where his parents once worked in the fields.
Before becoming a professional winemaker, Fernandez spent weekends picking walnuts alongside his parents to earn money for a silver-plated trumpet. During the winter months, he worked with his father pruning grapevines in freezing temperatures.
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“So, I would go and pick walnuts with my parents on the weekend to make money so I could buy my first silver-plated trumpet,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez's mother emphasized the importance of staying in school after her own education at St. Helena High School was cut short so she could help her family make ends meet. She made a commitment that her children would complete their education.
“My mom made sure I stayed in school cause she knew how important it was,” Fernandez said. “She knew how you could be separated, you know, from the norm of Hispanic culture.”
After graduating from high school, Fernandez earned a degree in agriculture from UC Davis. When entering the winemaking industry, he observed a lack of Hispanic representation among winemakers.
“There weren't many Hispanics… I felt like I was by myself,” Fernandez said. “But at the same time, I felt like I belonged here, you know, because that education I'd gotten and my work experience…”
Over his four decades at Shafer Vineyards, his mother collected news articles and items documenting his career achievements. She also accompanied him on a visit to the White House.
“She kept a collage of stuff about me, which I didn't know… and then for me to see it, I was going like, 'Wow,'” Fernandez said.
The family's connection to the vineyard spans three generations. His son, Justin Fernandez, now works alongside him as an assistant winemaker at the same property where his grandparents worked in the fields.
“He's now an assistant winemaker with me,” Fernandez said. “So it's really a full-circle kind of thing. I'm just sad that my mom wasn't able to see that… that transcended generations.”
Reflecting on his 42-year career, Fernandez expressed hope that future wine drinkers will appreciate the craftsmanship of Hispanic winemakers.
“Maybe 40 years from now is opened and they go, 'Wow, this is amazing'… and they find out that a Hispanic actually made it — it would be really cool,” Fernandez said.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KRON4. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat information into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KRON4 staff before being published.
