Viticulturist Ashley Derr (Eller) is a former CHS and Sacred Heart student (class of 86, cheersquad and ladies water polo). After gradutating at CHS she attended Cal Poly where she met her husband John Derr. They graduated, married and settled in the Napa Valley region, both started working for the wine industry. About 13 years ago they took a risk and bought some land atop Mt. Veeder and planted one of the pioneering high altitude vineyards in the region. About this time, John and Ashley became parents, as a friend I awaited the news of their first born and received some very other news, there were complications, but now, several years later, their first born daughter is attending the same school as her younger brother and sister…not a small feat if you live in Napa Valley. Until last year children with special communication and motor needs made long trips to other districts to attend school. Ashley and another mother got active and were able to fight for a classroom in the Napa Valley School district and started a chariy to support them, Napa Valley Kids Connect. This year was their inaugural year.
In celebration of this, Ashley and John wanted to give back to their community and worked with Schulz Cellars to craft a wine from their vineyard, Lampyridae Vineyards. A video of this unique charity opportunity is now up on youtube. Proceeds of the sales will support the Napa Valley Kids Connect, a fledgling charity supporting a classroom for children in the Napa Valley district with special communication and motor needs.
I hope you will take time to watch Ashley’s video and consider supporting her charity.
On a more personal note, Ashley and John were able to make a trip with all three of their children to Coronado this past summer, thanks to the Kerleys who were so gracious and opened their home to them. Together we met with 6 former CHS classmates and families and spent a wonderful week together having made many good memories and sharing a bit of our own childhood with a new generation. Thank you Dr. and Mrs. Kerley!
Anne Sels (Schultz)
