Amy Alvarez-Wampfler and Victor Palencia. (Photo courtesy of  Greg Lehman)

Our Legacy Washington program has just released its latest profile in its special series, “Who Are We?.” The profile tells the inspiring story of two young Latino winemakers and their mentor who helped them realize their dreams.

The profile on winemakers Amy Alvarez-Wampfler and Victor Palencia and their former teacher, the late Stan Clarke, is written by Legacy Washington Chief Historian John C. Hughes. The profile is being released just ahead of the Yakima Valley’s Spring Barrel Tasting weekend, April 22-24.

The profile can be viewed here.

“Washington is world-famous for its wines, and John’s profile on Amy and Victor gives viewers a taste of their journey from starting in the wine industry to becoming respected and acclaimed winemakers,” Wyman said. “This story celebrates their well-earned success as winemakers, as well as Eastern Washington’s rise as a premier wine-growing region.”

In 1980, Washington had 4,000 acres of wine grapes and 19 wineries. Today, there are more than 870 wineries, capitalizing on 60,000 acres of prime vineyards. Washington is now second only to California in the production of premium American wines.

Alvarez-Wampfler, at 35, is one of the top winemakers in the Northwest and a wine-magazine cover girl. Despite having a young daughter and facing a long commute, she was one of the first to enroll in Walla Walla Community College’s Institute for Enology & Viticulture. The two-year program has become one of the most successful winemaking schools in America.

Alvarez-Wampfler later made her mark at Columbia Crest and Sinclair Estate Vineyards. Her husband, Dan Wampfler, became a star at Dunham Cellars. Now they’re working together at Abeja Winery in Walla Walla, one of the Northwest’s most-acclaimed small wineries.

Palencia, who came across the border from Mexico to the U.S. on his father’s shoulders as a toddler, worked in a vineyard during high school in Prosser, immersing himself in chemistry and science. He admits to skipping school “a couple of times” to meet with Clarke before enrolling at Walla Walla CC and studying in the wine program that Clarke ran.

Palencia, 31, now oversees operations and winemaking at J&S Crushing in Mattawa, which also owns Jones of Washington. His wines for Jones and his own winery, Palencia Wine Co. in Walla Walla, are consistent award winners.

“Who are we?” is a historical project that documents the lives of a diverse group of Washingtonians. It includes a series of online profiles and an interactive exhibit opening on August 25 in the Secretary of State’s Office in the Capitol. Both will be accessible for free at organizations across Washington and around the country.

In a state of 7 million people, ‘Who AreWe?’ examines the lives of extraordinary people who have made Washington a remarkable place.

The project’s first profile is on the Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney, a longtime Seattle civil rights activist. The profile can be viewed here.

The second profile is on Duane French, a resilient quadriplegic who remade his life and fought for the rights of the terminally ill. The profile on French can be viewed here.

The “Who are we?” webpage can be viewed here.