VINEYARD ACADEMY

Taft Street Winery has been a proud partner of the Windsor High School Vineyard Academy since 2011. Each year, we crush and ferment the grapes farmed by the students and help promote sales of Windsor Jaguar Zinfandel. The zinfandel vineyard is donated each year by Anjou and Neil Kay, owners of Villa Terra Bella.

The Vineyard Academy, which began in 2003, offers students instruction that prepares them not only for college, but also offers them an opportunity to explore careers in hospitality and cuisine. Students take traditional courses in English and History, but also explore the culinary arts, business finance and event planning.

Among other subjects, vineyard management is one of the many focus areas available to Windsor High School juniors and seniors. Students work with local experts to learn viticulture in a hands-on environment.

Vineyard Academy’s Viticulture project teaches students about job in our local wine industry. It also gives them hands-on experience in maintaining our own vineyard.

Windsor Jaguar

Russian River Valley, Old Vine Zinfandel

100% of the proceeds from Windsor Jaguar Zinfandel go back into the program. Multiple vintages are available for purchase for $25 per bottle.

Unfortunately, we cannot ship Windsor Jaguar Zinfandel at this time. Orders can be placed online, and picked up in the Taft Street Tasting Room. If you have any questions about this program, please reach out Barney Kaufman at Windsor Vineyard Academy. For wine information or questions with ordering, please reach out to Jake Martini at Taft Street.

Tasting Notes: jam, blueberry, black pepper, cherry, plum, boysenberry, cranberry, and licorice. Candied fruitiness followed by spice and bold finish.

Year Founded

2009. Taft Street starting supporting the program in 2011.

Grapes Harvested

20,040 pounds of grapes picked! Average of 1,670lbs per harvest and 10 student interns.

Money Raised

Approximately $78,000 as of 2022.

Money Allocation

  • Scholarships for students – $27,000
  • Equipment & materials to care for & maintain the vineyard – $25,000
  • Technology and other essentials for the classroom – $21,000

Our Partners

Thank you to our suppliers for donating their dry-goods for this project. With their support, almost all the revenue from these wines can be returned to the program.

G3 Enterprises

Corks for this project has been donated by Tricor Braun

Villa Terra Bella

The zinfandel vineyard is donated each year by Anjou and Neil Kay, owners of Villa Terra Bella.

MA Silva

Glass for this project ha been donated by MA Silva.

MCC Wine & Spirits

Labels for this project have been donated by MCC Wine & Spirits.