D'vine Path kicks off new program

BONSALL – D'vine Path, a new vocational and life skills program which focuses on viticulture, agriculture, hospitality and the arts, launched its nonprofit with a gala event in the vineyards of Batali Ranch. The event began with a dance in the vineyard to the song "I Heard it Through The Grapevine" led by founder Lenila Batali.

A focal part of the event was participation by Fallbrook Union High School District Workability I, transition and metal shop students. Batali Ranch has collaborated for the last five years with Fallbrook High School Workability I students. The Workability I work readiness program provides students with special needs work experience in a variety of settings. The students range from intensive to moderate support needs with disabilities such as Down syndrome, autism, intellectual and learning disabilities.

After becoming aware FUHSD Special Education students were learning skills such as sanding and refinishing wood furniture, as well as culinary arts and hospitality, D'Vine Path recruited them to make custom appetizer boards and provide hospitality services at their event. The boards were created with precut Batali Ranch avocado wood, sanded and oiled by the students with hand-forged iron handles made by Fallbrook High Career Technical Education Metal Shop.

The students, donned in black slacks, white dress shirts and a D'Vine Path apron, provided hospitality services at the kick-off event. D'vine Path staff and a local caterer assisted the students with the task of creating a presentation using the custom boards which they filled with fruit and cheese. A chocolate fountain was also on display.

Students kept busy replenishing the displays, serving the more than 100 guests in attendance. The students expressed their excitement and gratitude for being able to apply the skills they've been learning in class to a real-life event.

The next week D'vine Path hosted a grape-picking event.

D'vine Path's Viticulture and Hospitality Program offers training to people with developmental and intellectual disabilities in a vineyard and farm setting. Each student will adopt and care for their "own" grapevine plant for hands-on training. The students will learn viticulture and agriculture-related management from guest professional viticulturist, horticulturists and trained staff.

D'vine Path also offers a mentorship and apprenticeship program. A community-based day adult program is schedule to start in fall of 2019. For more information visit http://www.Dvinepathprogram.org.