Cal State Monterey Bay Students Start the School Year with a Deep Dive into Sustainability, Hospitality, and a Little Healthy Competition at Folktale Winery & Vineyards

Cal State Monterey Bay’s Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism Management students kicked off the new school year with a day at Folktale Winery & Vineyards, where classroom learning met real-world experience in sustainable farming, hospitality, and culinary creativity.

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Crowned in charcuterie and grape-leaf glory, meet your 2025 Folktale Winery & Vineyards 'Lords (and Ladies) of the Board!' Cal State Monterey Bay Otters flanked by Folktale leadership; L to R: Executive Chef Jeff Walker; CSUMB Sustainable Hospitality & Tourism Management Program Student Aldo Kendarwan; Student Justin Ehrman; Student Inara Cruz-Boone; Student Sarah Kenny; Folktale Wine Group co-Owners and co-CEOs Madigan and Greg Ahn; Folktale Winery & Vineyards Chef Andrew Ávila. (PHOTO CREDIT: Folktale Wine Group)

The immersive visit introduced students to Folktale’s commitment to organic and sustainable farming practices, vineyard stewardship, and a guest experience rooted in care for both people and the land. Folktale’s team hosted discussions on sustainability in viticulture and hospitality management, giving students a first-hand look at how values-driven practices translate into award-winning wine and guest experiences.

The day concluded with a spirited “Lord of the Board” competition, a new Folktale tradition that celebrates artistry and hospitality through food. Student teams crafted charcuterie boards using locally sourced ingredients, with blind judging by Folktale Executive Chef Jeff Walker and Chef Andrew Ávila. From a Pac-Man–inspired cheese presentation to delicate cured-meat florets, the event showcased student creativity while echoing Folktale’s seven nominations in the 2025 Monterey County Weekly “Best Of” awards — including recognition for its charcuterie.

“This experience brought our classroom lessons to life,” said Paige P. Viren, Ph.D., executive director of the Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism Management Program at CSUMB. “Greg and Madigan Ahn are not only visionary leaders in the hospitality and wine industry, they are also deeply philanthropic members of our community. Both serve on boards supporting CSUMB, but more importantly, they consistently give back — creating opportunities like this for our students to learn, connect, and be inspired. We are especially proud that Folktale is the inaugural location for the 2025–2026 Sustainability Spotlight series, setting the tone for an academic year of transformational partnerships and impact.”

For Folktale, the visit was a chance to connect with the next generation of hospitality leaders. “It’s always a joy to welcome CSUMB students to Folktale and share what sustainability looks like in practice,” said Greg Ahn, co-founder and co-CEO of Folktale Wine Group. “We believe that caring for the land and community goes hand-in-hand, and seeing these students engage with that philosophy was truly inspiring.”

Madigan Ahn, co-founder and co-CEO of Folktale Wine Group, added: “Hospitality is about more than service — it’s about creating joy and connection. Watching these students bring creativity, teamwork, and heart into the ‘Lord of the Board’ challenge reminded us why the future of this industry is so exciting.”

About Folktale Winery & Vineyards

Located in Carmel, California, Folktale Winery & Vineyards is dedicated to crafting award-winning wines through sustainable organic farming and authentic hospitality. Founded on the belief that every bottle tells a story, Folktale not only hosts year-round culinary, music, and community experiences that celebrate connection, creativity, and the Central Coast, but also actively supports local organizations and educational programs as part of its philanthropic mission. Through its dynamic Wine Club, Folktale fosters a community of members who enjoy exclusive benefits and deeper connections to the winery’s ongoing story.

About CSUMB’s Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism Management Program

The Sustainable Hospitality & Tourism Management (SHTM) program at California State University, Monterey Bay prepares students for meaningful careers in hospitality, tourism, and event management through a distinctive blend of hands-on learning, sustainability, and community engagement. The Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Hospitality & Tourism Management is a comprehensive business degree that integrates core management principles with innovative sustainable practices. This interdisciplinary program equips future leaders to drive positive change by balancing economic success with environmental stewardship and social responsibility across the hospitality and tourism industries.

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“This experience brought our classroom lessons to life,” said Paige P. Viren, Ph.D., executive director of the Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism Mgmt. Program at CSUMB. “Greg and Madigan Ahn are visionary leaders in the hospitality and wine industry..."