Against all odds, Amy Alvarez-Wampfler and Victor Palencia have become two of the top winemakers in the Northwest. Their stories are a blend of serendipity, talent, hard work and “not being afraid to chase your dreams,” as Palencia puts it. Stan Clarke entered their lives at just the right time at Walla Walla Community College’s Institute for Enology & Viticulture. Clarke loved helping people as much as he loved wine—and that’s saying a lot. Together with other young Latino vineyard managers and winemakers, Amy and Victor are opening new doors.

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