Campus Hill Vineyard
Where great wines begin, and hands-on learning comes to life!
At 91重口, we believe that understanding great wine begins in the vineyard. Our Campus Hill Vineyard provides students with a unique opportunity to experience grape growing firsthand, combining classroom education with practical, real-world viticulture experience.
Located at the entrance of 91重口 in the heart of the Livermore Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA), our approximately five-acre hillside teaching vineyard serves as an outdoor classroom where students can learn, practice, and develop the skills needed to pursue careers in the wine industry.
Learning Among the Vines
Our vineyard is an important part of the Viticulture & Winery Technology program, giving students opportunities to participate in vineyard operations throughout the growing season.
From pruning and canopy management to irrigation, soil health, pest and disease management, and harvesting, students gain valuable experience caring for grapevines and understanding how vineyard decisions influence grape quality and ultimately the wines we produce.
One of the most rewarding aspects of our program is that students can follow the entire journey from vine to wine. Grapes harvested from our vineyard are used in our Campus Hill Winery, allowing students to connect their vineyard education with hands-on winemaking, laboratory analysis, and wine production.
Revitalizing Our Vineyard for the Future
We're excited to begin a new chapter for Campus Hill Vineyard!
Following the 2026 harvest season, we identified significant pest and disease pressure, declining vine health, and reduced productivity throughout much of our vineyard. While these challenges have been difficult, they also present an important opportunity to improve the vineyard and provide students with valuable experience in vineyard redevelopment.
As part of our long-term improvement plan, we are preparing to remove the majority of our existing vineyard blocks, while retaining our Albari帽o vines. This work is subject to the necessary college and district approvals and will allow us to begin planning a thoughtful, sustainable replanting process.
Our goals include establishing healthier and more productive vines, improving vineyard infrastructure, strengthening pest and disease management, and incorporating more environmentally responsible vineyard practices. We also hope to work toward sustainable or organic vineyard certification as part of our long-term vision.
Perhaps most importantly, this transition will create unique educational opportunities for students to participate in the planning, establishment, and management of a developing vineyard.
Students will have opportunities to learn about vineyard design, site preparation, planting decisions, irrigation systems, soil management, pest prevention, vine training, and the many considerations involved in establishing a successful vineyard.
Rather than simply maintaining an established vineyard, students will have the opportunity to better understand how a vineyard is developed and managed from the ground up.
Continuing Hands-On Education During Our Vineyard Transition
Our commitment to providing meaningful, hands-on education will remain a top priority throughout this process.
While portions of Campus Hill Vineyard undergo removal and eventual replanting, we plan to continue working closely with vineyard growers, wineries, and industry partners throughout Livermore Valley and surrounding wine regions.
Through these relationships, we hope to create additional opportunities for students to gain real-world experience in established commercial vineyards, learn directly from experienced growers, and explore different vineyard management practices.
We will also continue seeking grape donations from local and regional growers to support winemaking education and production at our Campus Hill Winery.
These partnerships will help students continue participating in important winemaking activities, including grape processing, fermentation, laboratory analysis, cellar operations, and bottling, even while our teaching vineyard is being revitalized.
Working with outside growers also introduces students to different grape varieties, growing conditions, vineyard management techniques, and industry perspectives, helping broaden their understanding of viticulture and winemaking beyond our campus.
Our goal is to make this transition an opportunity to expand the educational experiences available to our students rather than limit them.
Growing Toward a More Sustainable Future
As we look toward the future, we're committed to developing a teaching vineyard that reflects modern viticultural practices, responsible environmental stewardship, and the evolving needs of the wine industry.
The revitalization of Campus Hill Vineyard represents more than simply replacing grapevines. It's an opportunity to strengthen our educational program, improve long-term vineyard health, and involve students in meaningful projects that prepare them for the challenges and opportunities they may encounter in their future careers.
Through continued collaboration with local growers, vineyard management professionals, and our broader Livermore Valley wine community, we hope to build a healthier vineyard and an even stronger educational experience for future generations of students.
More Than Just a Vineyard
Campus Hill Vineyard is more than a place where we grow grapes. It's a place where students gain confidence, develop practical skills, work together, and discover their passion for viticulture.
Whether you're exploring grape growing for the first time or preparing for a professional career, we strive to provide a welcoming and supportive environment where you can learn by doing and become part of the Livermore Valley wine community.
We're excited about the future of Campus Hill Vineyard and look forward to having our students be an important part of its transformation!