National CORE’s Learning & Development team earned a rare opportunity: They were the spirited department selected to call the historic d’Ellena winery their new office space!
The winery, founded by the Ellena brothers and most recently operated as the Joseph Filippi Winery and Vineyards, is one of National CORE’s latest business enterprises. The winery is undergoing renovations to return it to its former glory while also preserving an integral part of Rancho Cucamonga’s undying soul and history.
Director of Learning & Development Angel Rogers, Administrative Assistant Diana Villanueva and Maintenance Trainer Dominic Chavez packed up their office and made their move in August. The team said they couldn’t be happier with the move.
“There was a bit of uncertainty at first about moving so far away from HQ, but now that we’re here, the possibilities are endless,” Angel said. “I’m so proud of my team for embracing this opportunity. Now the winery feels like home.”
The Learning & Development team was chosen to haunt the winery because they will be using the property’s vast warehouse space for CORE Academy’s maintenance and property management training classes. Following the renovations, CORE Academy will be the proud owners of an estimated 8,800-square-foot training facility – with classrooms that house mock heating and air conditioning units, plumbing systems, offices and construction sites for training.
“It is so peaceful here,” Diana said. “It was great being at HQ, but I feel like we get more work done here since there are fewer distractions since its quieter.”
Dominic said he is dead excited for the CORE Academy training facility to be completed so that his future students can do hands-on learning.
Beyond the general excitement of having their office located in a historic, award-winning winery, the Learning & Development team are also excited about the rumors of the winery being home to less corporeal denizens.
Legend has it, furniture in property’s old farmhouse is known to creak, groan and move and odd apparitions can be seen out of the corner of one’s eyes. Angel and Diana say they avoid certain parts of the winery while traveling alone. While they don’t feel like spirits have malevolent intentions, they also aren’t going to take any chances.
The Learning & Development team thanked Leo Vasquez, director of special initiatives, for his tireless efforts in getting the winery up and running once again. According to Angel, Leo has learned about wine making, painted walls and taken the charge of bringing the winery back to life.
While Leo doesn’t believe in ghosts like Angel and Diana, he said Joseph Filippi Winery and Vineyards still has a creepy atmosphere and his mind does play tricks on him from time to time as he walks the halls.
Angel said the new space is ideal as the Learning & Development team continues to grow. In September, they’ll welcome Jackie Berckley to the team as she takes on the role of Learning & Development manager.
Angel also wants to go back to ghosting, er… hosting in-person training courses to move away from Grace Hill training.