This interdisciplinary program provides students with a broad understanding of the wine industry. The curriculum focuses on the development of core wine knowledge consisting of sensory analysis, wine regions and grape varietals, viticulture and enology, pairing wine with food, and professional wine service.
Students completing the Global Wine Studies specialization focus on international wine production, wine tourism, wine program development, wine and food pairing, and receive specialized training in the critical analysis of wines. The Wine Industry Management specialization prepares students to participate in wine business professions by developing expertise in wine distribution, wine business management, legal compliance, and marketing and branding.
This degree is for anyone interested in pursuing a career in the wine industry and is open to students 18 and older. Graduates are prepared for a wide variety of exciting roles including wine marketing, tasting room management, direct-to-consumer sales, wine club management, professional sommelier, wine program development and management, compliance, consulting, and more. With over 1,000 bonded wineries in Washington State alone, opportunities abound!
The CWU Wine Studies degree is one of the few programs in the nation that emphasizes the business side of the wine industry. Students learn from wine industry professionals whose current expertise and connections serve as a bridge to career opportunities. Our classes emphasize theory and practice, with fun, engaging hands-on learning activities. Classroom-based instruction is integrated with real-world experiences through internships, a faculty-led study abroad trip to Europe, as well as tasting room and winery visits. Wine Studies students also benefit from CWU’s prime location within the Columbia Valley AVA. This region is home to over 99% of all of Washington’s vinifera acreage, placing students in close proximity to a myriad of exciting career and job opportunities.