Wine Studies, BS Core
Students in the Wine Studies program develop a lifelong love of wine through exceptional educational experiences. This program harnesses the power of CWU’s prime location within the Columbia Valley AVA and dedicated team of experienced faculty to deliver a program that emphasizes theory and practice and provides engaging hands-on learning activities to prepare students for success in a myriad of roles in the rapidly growing, exciting wine industry.
Students majoring in this interdisciplinary program can expect to participate in fun, active, experiential learning while developing knowledge and competency in wine regions, grape varietals and wine styles, viticulture and enology, professional wine analysis, wine service and wine and food pairing, wine business management and the global wine industry. Students gain valuable experience and apply theory to practice by completing a required international field experience and an internship with a wine-related business suited to the student’s unique professional goals.
The program prepares graduates for an exciting career in the dynamic wine industry such as tasting room management, wine marketing and sales, wine club management, wine tourism and events, winery management, wine program development and management, professional sommelier, distribution, consulting and so much more.
In the wine studies major, students complete the major core credits to acquire a broad base of knowledge and skills related to wine, wine business, and the wine industry and select an area of specialization (wine industry management or global wine studies) to enhance their base knowledge from the core.
Admission Requirements
Students must be 18 years of age to apply for the major. All classroom courses involving wine tasting will require students to taste and spit per Washington State legislation RCW 66.20.010 (12) a-f.
Students wishing to declare a major in Wine Studies must be an incoming first-year or transfer student or have a cumulative CWU GPA of 2.5.
Upon admittance to the program students must agree to, and sign, a written statement regarding professional ethics, conduct and responsibility.
Course Requirements
Students will be expected to spend significant amounts of time outside the classroom on projects, field trips, and assignments.
Graduation Requirements
Students must earn a cumulative GPA of 2.7 in each course counted toward fulfilling major requirements.
Tuition
Wine studies (WINE) course tuition is the same as the regular CWU tuition for undergraduates. Some courses have lab fees to cover additional costs.
Program Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- identify and describe the history, terroir, grape varietals, wine styles, wine labels, wine laws and regulations, and practices of wine producing regions of the world;
- explain how grape varietals, terroir, viticultural practices, and enological methods affect the style and quality of wine;
- describe the physiology and annual cycle of the grapevine, summarize viticultural and enological techniques, and express how viticultural and enological practices impact grape quality and wine characteristics;
- evaluate a variety of styles and types of wine using professional sensory and organoleptic techniques to objectively assess wine characteristics, quality, faults, and appropriate commercial placement;
- design a global wine program, serve various styles and types of wine professionally in accordance with industry service standards, design and lead wine events, and pair wine with food;
- develop a business plan, marketing plan, budget, and other business documents and strategies for, and apply business fundamentals, management, and leadership practices to wine industry operations;
- characterize and interpret current trends, financial issues, investment considerations, legal concerns, and trade and distribution system structures in the global wine industry;
- analyze and explain practices and issues in an international wine region through a study abroad program; and
- apply wine knowledge to a professional internship to successfully engage in industry operations.
Wine Studies Core Courses