Viticulture and Enology ProgramsThe Southern Oregon Wine Institute offers a two-year AAS degree in Viticulture and Enology as well as one-year certificates in Wine Marketing or Viticulture. All courses are taught using a "hybrid" format involving a combination of online and onsite instruction. Onsite lab hours are generally scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays in order to accommodate student work and family demands. The one-year certificate programs are designed to prepare students for entry into the industry. The Viticulture Certificate is also the first year of the two year AAS degree in Viticulture and Enology. 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). The Institute also offers registration with VESTA (Viticulture and Enology Science and Technology Affiliation) which can lead to a degree through online course work enrollment with seventeen partner universities and colleges across the United States. Job opportunities exist throughout the Pacific Northwest and northern California and employment trends indicate that wine industry salaries continue to increase (3.1 % in 2011 according to Wine Business Monthly, October 2012).
Wine Marketing Assistant Pathway CertificateThe 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. For more information on classes and schedules, please check page 108 of our course catalog.
Viticulture and Enology Associate of Applied ScienceThe 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. For more information on classes and schedules, please check page 108 of our course catalog.
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.
For more information, contact:The Southern Oregon Wine Institute
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