Southern Oregon Wine Institute

Viticulture and Enology

The one-year certificate program in Viticulture and Enology prepares students for entry into the industry and is the first year of the two year AAS degree. The certificate program includes an introduction to grape growing, basic principles of soil science, vineyard practices throughout all four seasons, and supervised practical work experience. The second year curriculum emphasizes enology (wine making).

Job opportunities exist throughout the Pacific Northwest and northern California. The average annual wage for winery production workers (including seasonal workers and excluding contracted workers) was $24,510 in 2006.

Wine Marketing Assistant Pathway Certificate

The Wine Marketing Assistant Pathway Certificate includes parts of the full Viticulture and Enology one-year certificate and two-year degree that prepare students for entry level positions in wine sales and distribution. Students can continue with either the viticulture/Enology program or augment business skills. Students completing the program will be able to demonstrate understanding of the role and function of marketing in the wine industry; familiarity with the basic chemistry of winemaking; ability to conduct sensory evaluations of wine qualities; and knowledge of worldwide wine varieties, regions, and markets.

Term One - Fall
VE 101 Introduction to the Wine Industry 1
VE 201 Winemaking for Viticulturists 3
VE 203 Wines of the World 1

Term Two - Winter
VE 202 Sensory Evaluation of Wine 3
VE 204 Wines of the Pacific Region 1

Term Three - Spring
VE 205 Wines of Oregon 1
VE 223 Wine Marketing 3
Certificate Total 13

Viticulture Certificate

Required Curriculum

Term One - Fall
MTH 095 Intermediate Algebra (or above) 4
VE 101 Introduction to the Wine Industry 1
VE 110 Vineyard Practices I 4
VE 201 Winemaking for Viticulturists 3
WR 115 English Composition (or above) 3

Term Two - Winter
GS 105 Physical Science (Chemistry) 4
PSY 101 Psychology of Human Relations or
SP 105 Listening or
SP 218 Interpersonal Communications or
SP 219 Small Group Discussion 3
HPE 295 Wellness/Health Assessment 3
VE 111 Vineyard Practices II 4
Term Three - Spring
VE 102 Integrated Pest Control 4
VE 112 Vineyard Practices III 4
VE 280 CWE Practicum 2

Summer
VE 103 Vineyard Soils, Plant Nutrition and Irrigation 4
VE 280 CWE Practicum 2
Total 49

Viticulture and Enology
Associate of Applied Science

The Viticulture and Enology program prepares students for entry into the industry in production and sales as winemaking technicians, vineyard and winery owners, and vintners. The curriculum builds upon one-year certificate program in Viticulture. The Enology AAS degree program includes an introduction to grape growing, basic principles of soil science, vineyard and winery practices throughout all four seasons, chemistry of the winemaking process, principles of wine production, and supervised practical work experience. Students must be at least 21 years of age to participate in wine tasting.

Job opportunities exist throughout the Pacific Northwest and northern California. The average annual wage for wine sales and distribution workers was $42,168. The industry is expanding rapidly, with the number of vineyards and wineries and related employment all increasing at the rate of 10% per year over the past five years. Efforts are underway to articulate the degree for transfer to other colleges and universities, including Oregon State University, which has both undergraduate and graduate programs in the field.

Required Curriculum

Term One - Fall
VE 101 Introduction to the Wine Industry 1
VE 110 Vineyard Practices I 4
VE 201 Winemaking for Viticulturists 3
MTH 095 Intermediate Algebra (or above) 4
WR 115 Introduction to Expository Writing (or above) 3

Term Two - Winter
GS 105 Physical Science (Chemistry) 4
HPE 295 Wellness and Health Assessment or 3
PSY 101 Psychology of Human Relations or
SP 105 Listening or
SP 218 Interpersonal Communications or
SP 219 Small Group Discussion 3
VE 111 Vineyard Practices II 4

Term Three - Spring
VE 102 Integrated Pest Control 4
VE 112 Vineyard Practices III 4
VE 280 CWE Practicum 2
SPAN 120 Spanish in the Workplace: Viticulture 4

Summer Term
VE 103 Soils, Plant Nutrition, and Irrigation 4
VE 280 CWE Practicum 2

Term Four - Fall
VE 203 Wines of the World 1
VE 209 Laboratory Analysis of Musts 4
and Wines
VE 210 Science of Winemaking I 5
VE 280 CWE Practicum 2
CH 104 Intro to Chemistry 4

Term Five - Winter
VE 202 Sensory Evaluation of Wine 1
VE 204 Wines of the Pacific Region 1
VE 211 Science of Winemaking II 5
VE 280 CWE Practicum 2
CH 105 Intro to Chemistry 4

Term Six - Spring
VE 205 Wines of Oregon 1
VE 212 Science of Winemaking III 5
VE 223 Wine Marketing 3
VE 280 CWE Practicum 2
CH 106 Intro to Chemistry 4
Total 93

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