NVG Breaks Ground on the Patrick Foley Center for Grape Growing & Farmworker Education

The Napa Valley Grapegrowers celebrated the groundbreaking of the Patrick Foley Center for Grape Growing & Farmworker Education on Wednesday, May 27th, in Oakville, Napa Valley. As part of the groundbreaking ceremony, NVG revealed that the Foley Family Charitable Foundation has increased the family’s initial leadership gift to $3 million in support of the project. In recognition of this commitment, the Center will bear the name of the late Patrick Foley, a dedicated Napa Valley winemaker whose passion for agriculture, winemaking, and the Napa Valley community left a lasting impact on the industry.

The Center will be the first permanent home for the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, bringing together growers, farmworkers, and the community for education, training, and professional growth, while also giving the public a deeper understanding of the skill, stewardship, and importance of modern farming. More than a building, the Center aims to strengthen the agricultural community, elevate appreciation for grape growing, and support a resilient future for the Napa Valley.

“My family jumped at the chance to support the construction of this dynamic and valuable center for the Napa community,” shared Courtney Foley, second-generation vintner with Foley Family Wines. “Being able to name it after Patrick is especially meaningful because he was heavily invested in the significant developmental and educational opportunities that the Grape Growers and Farmworkers Foundation offers. We are proud to be a part of this inspiring team effort and look forward to the site becoming an enduring space for everyone in our wonderful industry.”

The Patrick Foley Center for Grape Growing & Farmworker Education will sit on 2.2 acres in Oakville and will feature a demonstration vineyard, hands-on training space, classrooms, and community meeting facilities to support Napa Valley Grapegrowers’ year-round work in education, industry research, and advocacy. Projected opening is late 2027.

“Napa Valley’s agricultural future depends on an ongoing investment in people, knowledge, and innovation,” said Anne Cottrell, District 3 Supervisor, Napa County Board of Supervisors. “The Patrick Foley Center for Grape Growing & Farmworker Education represents a forward-thinking commitment to education, workforce development, and environmental stewardship that will help ensure our agricultural heritage remains strong for generations to come. I’m excited to see this investment taking shape in Oakville, and I’m grateful to everyone who’s helping to build a more resilient future for Napa Valley agriculture.”

Since launching the Center’s capital campaign, Napa Valley Grapegrowers has received widespread support from growers, vintners, philanthropic organizations, and community leaders committed to preserving Napa Valley’s agricultural heritage.

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