CWU Launches World Wine Program

February 13, 2004

Contact: Amy L. Mumma (509-963-1754/fax 509-963-1690/e-mail: mummaa@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash.-- Hobbyists to professional winemakers are targeted in the new Central Washington University "World Wine Program," which focuses on the business and trade aspects of the wine industry. It features learning opportunities for those now working in the wine and associated industries, consumers and those who would like to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to enter the wine industry.

"The new wine program at CWU is at the cutting-edge of wine education," says Frédérique Spencer, the winemaker at Sagelands Vineyard in Wapato. "The curriculum encompasses all areas of the wine industry, with an emphasis on both tasting and important business aspects that relate to Washington state."
The program consists of five tracks:

• Wine Trade Professional Certificate;
• Academic track
  1. A 15-credit Certificate; or,
  2. Wine Trade and Tourism Minor;
• Trade training for the wine industry;
• Short courses for the consumer; and,
• International learning experiences.

The Wine Trade Professional Certificate, offered as a credit or non-credit program in Ellensburg and at CWU-Lynnwood, offers a comprehensive program that covers viticulture, winemaking, world wine regions, styles and trade structures, the business of wine, wine marketing and merchandising and professional evaluation techniques.

Graduates will be prepared for careers in wine merchandising, wholesale, retail, distribution, marketing, import/export, consulting, hospitality and more.

Short day-long or weekend courses are offered for the wine industry on a variety of topics from professional evaluation to business aspects and current trends.

The International Learning Experience is an overseas course designed to further participant's understanding of the global wine market. This year's course will be held Sept. 3-12 in Piedmont and Tuscany, Italy.

In addition, short courses for the consumer "are intended to demystify the world of wine while exposing consumers to new wines, regions and styles," according to Amy Mumma, who developed the curriculum and is the principal program instructor. She is currently a candidate in the Master of Wine program and holds the Advanced Certificate from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust in London and the Diploma of Tasting from the University of Burgundy in Dijon, France.

For more information, please call the CWU Office of Continuing Education at 1-800-720-4503 or visit the Web site: www.cwuce.org/wine-education.