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Academics & Training / Programs & Degrees / Fields of Interest / Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources / Winemaking (Enology)

Winemaking (Enology) Associate Degree

Program Code: 103202

Careers in the wine industry exist right here in Northeast Wisconsin. As a graduate of the Winemaking program, you're prepared for a career as a winemaker, winemaking assistant, cellar worker, or tasting room host. You're skilled in fermentation, clarification, and aging of juice and wine; lab methodologies; sanitization; quality control; winery equipment operation; grape maturity testing; and wine and must analysis. The Winemaking program offers students an internship at a local winery, providing an intense level of practical and realistic winery experiences.

Follow Your Path

All credits from the following certificate(s) apply toward this associate degree:

Winemaking, 903202

Winemaking Advanced, 903203

Explore Locations

Program Costs & Financial Aid

Employment Potential

A graduate of this program will have the basic skills necessary to own and operate or be employed at a Winery as a:

  • Winemaker
  • Winemaking Assistant
  • Cellar Worker
  • Tasting Room Host

With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find other opportunities for employment.

  • Scientific Industry, Laboratory
  • Food Science Industry – Food Safety
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Requirements for Program Entry

  • Completed application.
  • High school transcript or equivalent. (For a list of equivalents, go to www.nwtc.edu/gettingstarted.)
  • Students should have mastered basic math skills. For a description of basic math, see the Basic Education section of this catalog.
  • To be admitted to this program, learners must achieve a prior cumulative high school or college grade point average of 2.6 or higher OR a satisfactory academic skills assessment score. College grade point average must be based on 15 credits or more. To learn more about starting this program, please contact an academic advisor at (920) 498-5444 or (888) 385-6982.

Suggested Skills for Success

  • Fruit Wine Production, VIN147
  • Marketing for the Small Winery, VIN270
  • Winery Tasting Room Management, VIN272
  • Intro to Viticulture and Vineyard Establishment, VIN111
  • Wines of the World, VIN174
  • Legal Aspects of Vineyard & Winery Operation, VIN202
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Curriculum
Curriculum: Students following the study plan below will complete the Winemaking (Enology) associate degree in the number of semesters shown.
First Semester
Semester Total
16
Second Semester
Semester Total
15
Third Semester
Elective
Elective
3
Semester Total
17
Fourth Semester
Semester Total
16
Total Credits
64

Program Outcomes

  • Examine grape samples to ascertain sweetness and acidity of crop, and determine harvest time based off of this information.
  • Select yeasts for fermentation and barrels for aging.
  • Communicate with vineyard manager regarding crop load, harvest time, and other issues related to crop quality.
  • Correct sugar and acid levels of must and wine if necessary.
  • Oversee primary fermentation by punching down the grape skin cap, regulating fermentation temperature and the amount of time the skins are in contact with the must, and initiating malolactic fermentation.
  • Supervise workers in crushing and pressing processes, or perform those duties themselves.
  • Supervise cellar operations during secondary fermentation with tasks such as aging, topping off barrels, and clearing wine of fermentation residue.
  • Direct and coordinate blending and bottling of wine, or perform those duties themselves.
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Start here. Finish at a four-year.

NWTC transfer programs are offered through collaborative agreements with our four-year college and university partners. See where your associate degree credits will transfer >> EXCLUDEEND

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Note

  • NWTC has partnered with Missouri State University, Missouri State University-West Plains, Northeast Iowa Community College, Redlands Community College, Rend Lake College, South Plains College, Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus, Kent State University-Ashtabula, Highland Community College, Central Lakes College, Michigan State University, and Ivy Tech Community College to offer an Associate Degree in Winemaking (Enology). The partnership is formally referred to as the Viticulture and Enology Science and Technology Alliance, or VESTA. The partnered colleges individually deliver VESTA classes through various online delivery formats.
  • Students desiring to earn an Associate Degree in Winemaking (Enology) must apply for admission to NWTC and must take a minimum of 25% of technical core courses at NWTC.
  • The VESTA online courses, identifiable by “VIN” in front of the course code have a separate admission and registration process.
  • Practicum sites throughout the state are listed on the VESTA website. New ones can be added if the student finds a willing and eligible vineyard.
  • Some courses have a minimum age requirement.
  • Further information on VESTA can be found on the website www.vesta-usa.org.

Study Abroad Opportunities

The International Programs staff continually seeks opportunities for students to travel abroad for educational experiences that may be offered in association with program courses. To find out more about which of your program courses may offer an opportunity during this academic year, contact your academic advisor or visit NWTC.edu/studyabroad.

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Viticulture and Enology Science and Technology Alliance (VESTA)

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