Tag Archives: Hospitality Education

Cal Poly Pomona’s Collins College Hosts Historic 26-Year Robert Mondavi Wine Vertical

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 27, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona recently hosted an extraordinary fundraising event featuring a complete 26-year vertical tasting of Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon spanning 1982-2007. The exceptional experience, hosted at the prestigious Jonathan Club in Los Angeles, celebrated the College’s long-standing relationship with the Mondavi family while offering guests a rare opportunity to appreciate California wine history through the lens of hospitality education.

Image caption: (L to R) Roger Hill, Eva Wassermann, Lauren Bloom, and Barry Bloom. Photo credit Andrew Heiser.

A LEGACY OF CONNECTION

The Collins College of Hospitality Management and the Robert Mondavi Winery have a relationship that spans more than three decades. Dean Margie Ferree Jones first connected with Robert and Margrit Biever Mondavi in 1991, when the American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF) — championed by luminaries including Julia Child and the Mondavis — endorsed the school to host a student chapter.

“When the Mondavis visited our campus alongside Julia Child, Robert shared his mission to encourage people to enjoy ‘the good life’ – a philosophy that has guided our approach to hospitality education ever since,” recalled Dean Margie Ferree Jones. “Margrit even adorned students’ menu cards with her charming doodles during that visit. Those personal touches highlighted the warmth that define gracious hospitality.”

The vertical tasting featured wines from the personal collection of Barry Bloom, a dedicated wine collector and hospitality leader who generously donated his complete vertical of Mondavi Reserve Cabernets to support the college’s educational mission.

“I began collecting in the late 1980s with the intention of creating complete verticals rather than only acquiring the acclaimed vintages,” noted Bloom. “What made this tasting particularly special was experiencing the evolution of these wines across a quarter century. Each vintage tells a story about that particular season, the winemaking approach of that era, and the historical context.”

Bloom’s collection, which spanned from 1982 to 2007, represented a significant period in California winemaking history. He intentionally concluded his collection with the 2007 vintage to mark Robert Mondavi’s passing in 2008. The 26-year consecutive vertical proved remarkable even to Mondavi Brand Manager, Euming Lee and Director of Winemaking, Kurtis Ogasawara, in attendance, who observed they had never experienced a consecutive tasting of this length before.

Dean Margie Ferree Jones of The Collins College of Hospitality Management emphasized the educational impact of such experiences. “Salon events such as this underscore our commitment to train the next generation of hospitality professionals, with an appreciation for the cultural significance paired with fine details of exceptional service.”

The Jonathan Club’s culinary team, led by Chef Andreas Roller and Sommelier Caitlin Stansbury, orchestrated an exquisite multi-course dinner intentionally designed to complement the flights of wine.

The menu featured:

Sparkling Robert Mondavi “The Estates” 2021 with hors d’oeuvres
Pan Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras with blackberry gastrique, brioche, and yuzu, paired with Mondavi Reserve Cabernets from 1982-1987
California Squab with chanterelles, brussels sprouts, and red beet, accompanied by vintages from 1988-1993
Braised Lamb with black winter truffle, spinach cavatelli, and gremolata, complemented by vintages from 1994-2000
Snake River Farms American Wagyu Beef with watercress, charred onion, and parmesan, served with vintages from 2001-2007
Tarte Tatin with sugar bee apples and Tahitian vanilla chantilly, paired with Sauvito Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon 2018

The event was choreographed to coincide with the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) and drew participation from several members of Collins College Board of Advisors, alumni, and industry leaders. Eva Wasserman, alumna and member of The Collins College of Hospitality Management’s Board of Advisors, shared “The Mondavi tasting was an extraordinary event showcasing the Collins College’s valuable connections with the industry and vast educational exposure available to the students.”

The Collins College of Hospitality Management continues its mission of inspiring future industry leaders through its experiential curriculum and practical experiences that bring theory to life. Rather than simply requesting financial support, the College is focused on creating meaningful engagement opportunities that align donors’ values with tangible educational outcomes.

The Collins College invites industry partners and supporters to join them at their annual fundraiser, Hospitality Uncorked, on March 22, where Bob Alter will be honored as the latest recipient of the Robert Mondavi Wine & Food Award — continuing a tradition that connects back to the College’s early relationship with the Mondavi family. Attendees will have opportunities to interact directly with faculty and students, gaining insight into how their support translates to industry-ready graduates who carry forward Mondavi’s vision of hospitality as a celebration of “La Dolce Vita.”

ABOUT THE COLLINS COLLEGE OF HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

The Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona is consistently ranked among the nation’s premier hospitality management programs. Following a “giving through” philanthropic model, the College creates engagement opportunities that connect donors directly with educational initiatives having measurable outcomes. This approach allows supporters to see the significant impact of their contributions while participating in unique hospitality experiences that demonstrate program excellence. The College provides students with a superior education and valuable connections to top hospitality companies worldwide. Learn more at https://www.cpp.edu/collins/.

Media Queries:

For interviews, images or more information, please contact Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET of Charles Communications Associates at kcharles@charlescomm.com or 415-701-WINE (9463)

NEWS SOURCE: Collins College of Hospitality Management

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Collins College of Hospitality Management), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/cal-poly-pomonas-collins-college-hosts-historic-26-year-robert-mondavi-wine-vertical/

Association of African American Vintners and Glancy Wine Education Foundation Partner to Expand Scholarship Opportunities

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Oct. 29, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) and The Glancy Wine Education Foundation are pleased to announce a collaboration designed to broaden scholarship opportunities. Starting in January 2025, the new partnership will offer AAAV members increased access to the funds necessary for advancing their professional wine education.

Image caption:Association of African American Vintners and Glancy Wine Education Foundation partner.

AAAV stands as the leading resource for promoting inclusivity within the wine industry, dedicated to providing comprehensive education, advocacy, and community support for Black vintners, wine brands, and industry professionals. As part of its mission, AAAV offers scholarships to support the next generation of leaders in the wine community.

The Glancy Wine Education Foundation is committed to assisting underserved communities through scholarships, enabling them to further their professional wine education, increase their earning potential, enhancing diversity within the wine industry. By partnering with AAAV, the Foundation will help to expand the reach and impact of its scholarship program, offering more opportunities for AAAV members to excel in their careers.

“AAAV’s new partnership with the Glancy Wine Education Foundation is a significant step forward in our effort to make wine inclusive,” said Angela McCrae, Executive Director, Association of African American Vintners. “AAAV has awarded more than 100 scholarships in the last three years to a diverse group of recipients. This collaboration will further enhance our ability to support our members’ educational and professional development by ensuring they can choose from a larger pool of wine certifications.”

“We share AAAV’s commitment to diversity and education,” said Ana Keller, President, Glancy Wine Education Foundation. “Through this partnership, we aim to empower more individuals from underserved communities to increase their earning potential, achieve their professional goals and contribute to a more inclusive wine industry.”

The expanded scholarship opportunities provided by this partnership will enable AAAV members to access top-tier wine education programs, such as the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Levels 1, 2 and 3 qualifications, the Society of Wine Educators Certified Specialist of Wine and the Wine Scholar Guild certifications and more. These programs equip aspiring wine professionals and entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the wine industry.

The GWEF scholarship application for AAAV members will open in January 2025. For more information about AAAV and the Glancy Wine Education Foundation, and to learn how to apply, please visit https://aaavintners.org/ and https://www.glancywineeducationfoundation.org/.

For media inquiries, please contact:

For AAAV: Tami Kelly, CSW 925-640-9997, tamikellypr@gmail.com

For GWEF: Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET 415-701-9463 kimberly@glancywineeducationfoundation.org

About the Association of African American Vintners:

Founded in 2002, the Association of African American Vintners stands as the go-to resource for advancing equity in the wine industry. Our mission is to provide comprehensive education, advocacy, and community support not only for Black vintners but also for wine brands and industry professionals. Visit aaavintners.org for more information, to donate and to purchase many AAAV member wines.

About The Glancy Wine Education Foundation:

Established in 2020, The Glancy Wine Education Foundation is a registered a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting underserved and minority communities with scholarships to further their professional wine education, increase diversity, and raise earning power. The foundation has earned a Platinum Transparency certification from Candid’s GuideStar Charity Ratings system and a four-star, 97% rating from Charity Navigator.

Find out more at GlancyWineEducationFoundation.Org.

NEWS SOURCE: Glancy Wine Education Foundation

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Glancy Wine Education Foundation), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/association-of-african-american-vintners-and-glancy-wine-education-foundation-partner-to-expand-scholarship-opportunities/

Glancy Wine Education Foundation Adds New Board Members and Achieves Platinum Charity Rating

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Glancy Wine Education Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of several new members to its all-volunteer board, as well as its achievement of Platinum Transparency, the highest rating possible from Candid's Guidestar charity ratings system.

The foundation's new board members include Andrea Smalling, CMO of Wine Direct; Ryan Williams, Western District Manager for HALL Wines; Tom Lynch, Director of Programs and Development for the Advertising Research Foundation; Tony Lawrence, private chef and wine judge; and Laurie Lindrup, a professionally trained chef and hospitality event director.

Also joining the board is one of the foundation's former scholarship winners, sommelier Oceano Ordónez. Currently managing the wine program at the Michelin-starred restaurant SPQR, Ordónez will help represent the student voice and point of view in the foundation's decision-making.

"We just took a major leap forward in the capabilities and commitment of our Board," said Board President Ana Keller. "I'm very excited to work with the talent, connections, and passion that these new members, together with our current board, represent."

Lynch is based in New York, and Lawrence in Philadelphia. Their additions give the foundation's leadership a national footprint to support the organization's planned future growth.

The foundation also recently achieved Platinum Transparency certification from Candid's Guidestar Charity Ratings system, America's most comprehensive and trusted philanthropy ratings organization. This rating puts the Foundation in the top 0.1% of charities nationally in terms of transparency.

The foundation has also held a four-star, 97% rating from Charity Navigator since last year.

"With these fantastic new board members and validation of our transparency and efficiency as an organization, I feel like we're poised to take our impact to the next level," said Board Vice President Alder Yarrow.

Professionals in need of financial aid are encouraged to apply for scholarships year-round at GlancyWineEducationFoundation.Org. Awards are made monthly.

About The Glancy Wine Education Foundation

Established in 2020, The Glancy Wine Education Foundation is a registered a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting underserved and minority communities with scholarships to further their professional wine education, increase diversity, and raise earning power. Find out more at https://www.glancywineeducationfoundation.org/.

Learn more about the foundation's board at https://www.GlancyWineEducationFoundation.Org/board.

The Glancy Wine Education Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of several new members to its all-volunteer board, as well as its achievement of Platinum Transparency, the highest rating possible from Candid's Guidestar charity ratings system. Established in 2020, The Glancy Wine Education Foundation is a registered a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization.