Viticulture Senior Spotlight: J. Eddie Rios

Fresno State viticulture senior J. Eddie Rios might originally hail from St. Helena in Napa County, but he's proud to call Fresno his adopted home.

This year's viticulture president learned about grape growing from an early age from his father in a small vineyard, and has used those ties to connect with the community and charity organizations like City With Orphans.

He has also been a familiar face at the campus winery, helping out on various processing and bottling days, and now has started a job at a vineyard management company in Napa.

Learn more about the hard-working, first-generation college graduate who also has minors in enology and business in this recent interview.

Why were you attracted to Fresno State?

Rios: "I grew up in the wine industry in a small town in Napa County so I gained an affinity to wine and grapes at an early age. I had competed in FFA events in vine pruning, vine judging and horse judging at Fresno State since high school and fell in love with the campus and everyone that I met. Everyone was so genuine and friendly and cared about me and who I was and didn't see me for just my grades or SAT/ACT scores."

What was your most memorable experience at Fresno State?

Rios: "All the people I met from my first year in the dorms up until I graduated. I absolutely had awesome memories with so many different people doing so many different things!"

What were some of your favorite Fresno State classes and why?

Rios: "I loved and hated plant physiology with Dr. Constable. It was by far the hardest yet most informative class I took. I also really like my finance class with Dr. Lone. It was such a useful class that I recommend anyone to take regardless of their major."

Which faculty and staff members had the biggest influence on you while at Fresno State and why?

Rios: "Sonet Van Zyl, Cynthia Wood and Andrea Magdaleno had a huge impact in my time as a student and viticulture club president. They always dropped what they were doing to help me with whatever I needed. Dr. Levi was also extremely helpful with my ag business minor. She sorted all my class conflicts and made an extra effort to help me succeed."

Describe your work at any campus farm units, and what types of responsibilities and titles you had, and how it prepared you for your career path?

Rios: "I worked a year at the school winery from harvest to bottling, and it was a phenomenal experience. It allowed me to gain so much knowledge and hands-on experience that I wouldn't have been able to get anywhere else. I am now more able to use my knowledge in viticulture to tie into winemaking chemistry and practices to produce the best fruit that will meet the final goals of the wine desired."

What was your background in agriculture before you started at Fresno State?

Rios: "I grew up helping my dad in a small 4-acre Zinfandel vineyard that he managed on his own time. There I learned how to prune, sucker and thin at the age of 10. Little did I know that all the knowledge I gained then would help me so much later on."

Did you have any internships or jobs while at Fresno State, and what skills did you develop?

Rios: "I managed 2 small backyard vineyards in Clovis for about 5 years. There I learned the importance of decision making, timeliness, and management."

Did you participate in any other outreach activities/events that benefited the community?

Rios: "I really tried to connect the Viticulture Club to the community through volunteer activities. One of the best was when we helped the great City Without Orphans organization at a few of their respite nights. I wish we could have done more, and I am glad we helped with what we did. You can never volunteer enough."

Are there people you would like to thank in your family that have been key influences in helping you receive your diploma?

Rios: "Both of my parents have been tremendous and crucial to my success. They instilled in me so many things that I needed to succeed, and it's because of their hard work and determination that I was able to attend and succeed in college. Lastly, none of this would've been possible if it weren't for my Lord and Savior Jesus who always guided me down his path."

What's your next career step?

Rios: "I am currently working at a vineyard management company in Napa County and have also joined the local fire deprartment."

 

Is there anything else that's important to include about you?

Rios: "I absolutely love Fresno State. When I am out of state I'm proud to tell others that I am from Fresno. It is a place where I have grown so much and had some of the best times of my life. I am deeply indebted to this wonderful agriculture school."

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