Wine and Viticulture


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Vines to Wines

Honoring a Legacy

Keith Patterson Learning Lab

Cal Poly’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and the Wine and Viticulture Department  unveiled a plan to honor the teaching legacy of former wine and viticulture Professor Keith Patterson. The faculty offices in the E. & J. Gallo Winery & Family Building in the new JUSTIN and J. LOHR Center for Wine and Viticulture will be named the Keith Patterson Learning Lab.

Known as a pioneer in the world of viticulture and one of the founding fathers of Cal Poly’s Wine and Viticulture Department, Patterson left an incredible mark on Cal Poly, its students and the wine industry as a whole. During his 16-year career at Cal Poly, he taught wine and viticulture classes, carried out a variety of viticulture research projects, and shared his passion for wine grape growing and winemaking with thousands of students. He helped launch the Vines to Wines student club, which continues to play an instrumental role in connecting Cal Poly students with wine industry professionals. Patterson is best known for his tremendous dedication to teaching and mentoring, and the meaningful relationships he formed with his students and colleagues.

Many people have individually, personally and collectively tried to reconcile the loss of Keith and tried to find ways to remember him for who he was. I can see no better way for us to honor him than to indelibly link his name to the Cal Poly program.

— Alex Ryan
President and CEO, Duckhorn Vineyard

“My father was instrumental in developing the Wine and Viticulture program at Cal Poly, but what he cared most about was his students. With his support and guidance, many of his students are now world-class viticulturists, winemakers and wine marketers,” Victoria Patterson said. “His love and dedication for helping students achieve their highest potential will now live on in memory through the naming of the faculty office suite in the new E. & J. Gallo Winery & Family Building. We are grateful for everyone’s support.”

A fundraising goal of $250,000 has been set to name the Keith Patterson Learning Lab and construct a permanent display honoring his impact on Cal Poly. A group of donors have already contributed $165,000 toward the memorial fund to kick off the fundraising efforts. 

“Many people have individually, personally and collectively tried to reconcile the loss of Keith and tried to find ways to remember him for who he was,” said Alex Ryan, president and CEO of Duckhorn Vineyards.  “I can see no better way for us to honor him than to indelibly link his name to the Cal Poly program.”

 
To learn more about donating to the Keith Patterson Learning Lab, call Director of Development Allyson Dela Cruz at 805-756-3269 or donate online at bit.ly/pattersonmemorial.
 

Visit Vines to Wines Fall 2020 to read more stories.

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