Viticulture and Enology

Start your career in growing and producing wine

Students in the Viticulture and Enology program can earn an associate degree or certificate in viticulture, winemaking or wine business, including wine and food pairing. Courses are also appropriate for students who would plan to transfer to a university, improve skills in the industry, or to satisfy continuing education or personal enrichment needs without formally pursuing a degree or certificate.

Courses are flexible; most classes are taught either afternoon, evening, or weekends, allowing students scheduling flexibility. 

Graduates earning the enology/viticulture degree are prepared for upper division work in viticulture and enology, and may choose to transfer to either the University of California, Davis; California State University, Fresno; Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo; or Sonoma State.

Academic Program Information

Viticulture and Enology

Agriculture

Viticulture and Enology Courses are now listed under the VEN subject prefix in class search. 

Viticulture is the science of growing grapes

The program maintains two practice vineyards, one four-acre outdoor classroom on the Santa Maria that includes a new greenhouse and tractor and vineyard equipment. The other practice vineyard is located in Los Alamos through a partnership with Kendall Jackson.

Viticulture classes include:

• Introduction to Viticulture
• Viticulture II
• Viticulture Practices I to VI
• Soils
• Fertilizers
• Vineyard Irrigation
• Integrated Pest Management
• Grapevine Physiology

Enology is the science of making wine

The program includes hands-on wine production in the teaching winery, practical wine and must analysis in labs and internships are available within the local industry.

Winemaking classes include:

• Introduction to Winemaking
• Advanced Winemaking
• Sensory Evaluation of Wines I and II
• Wine Analysis
• Winery Organization
• Organic and Biodynamic Wine
• Basic Winemaking I and II
• Winery Equipment

The business of wine

Wine business and marketing classes include:

• Wine Marketing and Sales
• Wine Business
• Wine Tasting Room Sales 
• Sensory Evaluation of Wines I and II
• Winery Organization

Related courses include: marketing, business communications, business law, financial accounting, website development, software and advertising.