Mr. Sal Medina is a member of the Citrus College class of 1995 and a successful businessman and educator with deep roots in the San Gabriel Valley. An alumnus of Gladstone High School in Azusa, Mr. Medina enrolled at Citrus College to pursue a career in education and cites Dr. Michael Hurtado and Dr. Dale Salwak as the instructors who had the greatest influence on him.
At the University of La Verne, Mr. Medina earned his bachelor's degree in political science (1998) and master's degree in education (2000) before accepting a position as a political science teacher at Monrovia High School. He soon became a popular instructor known for his engaging style and ability to motivate students. In addition to teaching, Mr. Medina coached the girls' volleyball team and served as an advisor to the Key Club. Around this time, Mr. Medina began to cultivate his interest in wine to the point that he worked at a wine shop in the evenings.
Four years later, Mr. Medina started unpacking his thoughts about opening his own business. Seeking time to contemplate his next steps, Mr. Medina concluded his teaching career to travel the great wine regions of the world. Within several years, Mr. Medina backpacked through 13 states and 11 different countries.
Since 2007, Mr. Medina's business, Packing House Wines, has developed from a boutique to a full-sized wine bar and restaurant located in the Claremont Packing House, one of the most historic buildings in the Inland Empire. In its first year, Packing House Wines was recognized as the Claremont Chamber of Commerce "Business of the Year." In 2014, Assemblymember Chris Holden awarded Packing House Wines the 41st California assembly district "Business of the Year" award. Most recently, Congresswoman Judy Chu presented Mr. Medina with a Congressional Leadership Award as the "East San Gabriel Valley Businessperson of the Year" for California's 27th congressional district. With a selection of wine unparalleled in California, Mr. Medina's dedication to quality has positioned Packing House Wines as a premier resource for wine connoisseurs in Southern California and across the country.
Mr. Medina served as a board member for the Claremont Chamber of Commerce from 2011 to 2017 and as the chair from 2015 to 2016. He has also volunteered as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Claremont. As a lifelong educator, he takes pride in teaching his staff about the wine industry and several of his past employees have gone on to successful careers in the hospitality industry as wine makers, owners, distributors and sommeliers.
Mr. Medina and his wife, EV, live in Claremont. "I have always believed – for me – success lies at the intersection of hard work and luck," he said. "Many people work hard; I just happen to work hard and have lots of luck."
Mr. Medina's story was originally featured in the program for the 103rd Citrus College Commencement.