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agricultural careers and help their communities. Interns are typically still in school, but must also have at least one year of professional experience in their desired field. SUPPORTING ROLES "We're entering our 13th year and have had about 20 J-1 interns," said Robert Morris, president of Punchdown Cellars (formerly known as Copain Custom Crush) in Santa Rosa, Calif. "The diversity is nice and the interns are very good workers. There's good partnership. Overall it's been a very positive experience." (www.caep.org) charges a $96 annual membership fee, a $100 placement fee per trainee and a $75 per month/per trainee administrative fee. "They generally do not take a leadership role," said Maureen Lee of Maryhill Winery in Goldendale, Wash. Maryhill has hosted about 30 J-1 visa recipients over the last five years. "They typically stay for four or five months and help in cellar work and other fundamental positions." Maryhill works through sponsoring agent Experience International (www.expint.org) and has hosted interns from Moldova, Spain, France and Argentina. All J-1 par- ticipants are paid for their work, depending on their skill level. "It's a healthy collaboration," Lee said. "We expect it to continue." Del Rio Vineyards in Gold Hill, Ore., has had one foreign intern each year for the last three years, each from France. "It's not unusual for people in the wine industry to get experience in different parts of the world," said co-owner Jolee Wallace. Del Rio also contracts with Experience International and, according to Wallace, it has paid unexpected dividends. "Staff and customers Robert Morris of Punchdown Cellars has hosted around 20 J-1 interns in 13 years. Punchdown has hosted wine personnel from New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, France and England. Most work in support roles, especially during the harvest, to gain industry experience. J-1 interns have also done lab work and assisted winemakers. Morris works through sponsoring agency Council for the Advancement of Education Preparation (CAEP) because the J-1 paperwork is "virtually impossible to manage," Morris said. "A sponsoring agent streamlines the (process)." CAEP w w w. v w m media.com J u l y - A u g 2 0 13 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 53