Wine Studies/HTE Certificate Options

Wine Studies and Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management programs offer three unique certificates*. These certificates aim to provide students with a dedicated set of courses that provide students with a valuable, specific skill set applicable within our industry. 

Winery Event Design Certificate: 16 credits

The Winery Event Design Certificate prepares students to meet the needs of the growing wine industry.  This certification is designed for those who are interested in creating, designing, and managing events for wineries.  This certification can also benefit those actively employed in the wine industry who are looking to increase their effectiveness.  Topics covered include wine service techniques, food and wine pairing, festival and event management, as well as an overview of local winery venues and event facilities.

• HTE 374 - Festivals Credits: (5)
• HTE 405 - Hospitality Catering Credits: (3)
• WINE 201 - Wine Service and Food Pairing Credits: (4)
• WINE 315 - Survey of Washington Wines Credits: (4)

Tasting Room Management Certificate: 16 Credits

The Wine Studies tasting room management certificate prepares students to meet the strategic needs of tasting room managers. This certificate is designed for those who are interested in identifying and refining best practices for retail tasting room operations. This certificate can also benefit those actively employed in the wine industry who are looking to increase their effectiveness. Topics covered include social media marketing, customer retention, shipping/related legal compliance, and direct to consumer sales strategies.

• WINE 304 - Wine Marketing and Branding Credits: (4)
• WINE 332 - Social Media Theory and Practice Credits: (4)
• WINE 353 - Tasting Room and Wine Club Management Credits: (4)
• WINE 404 - Wine Law and Winery Compliance Credits: (4)

Wine Trade Professional Certificate: 15 Credits

This certificate program focuses on the business and trade aspects of the wine industry. Topics covered include the business of wine, world wine regions, trade structures, wine marketing, wine merchandising, viticulture, winemaking, wine styles, and professional evaluation techniques. Graduates are prepared for wine-related careers in sales and merchandising, distribution, marketing, import/export, consulting, hospitality, and more.

This certificate program is a 10-week, intensive program and all four courses must be taken. Students will be expected to spend significant amounts of time outside the classroom working on projects, field trips, and assignments. Students must obtain a grade of B- or above in all four courses to receive the certificate.

• WINE 302 - Fundamentals of Viticulture and Enology Credits: (4)
• WINE 303 - Major Wine Regions of the World Credits: (4)
• WINE 304 - Wine Marketing and Branding Credits: (4)
• WINE 406 - Professional Wine Analysis Credits: (3)

*Upon successful completion of coursework for each certificate, students receive a CWU Wine Studies Program certificate.  

Contact: Alex Lange (Department Administrator) for more information (alexandra.lange@cwu.edu). Or visit our FORMS page to apply!