Viticulture and Wine Technology
The Degree
Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)
The Outlook
Create a career that – like a fine wine – gets better with time. According to the New York State Agriculture and Markets 2008 Wine Grape Task Force, based on the dramatic growth in the sector, the need for individuals with the specialized knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the viticulture and wine industry will continue to grow for the foreseeable future. Your path to a career in this growing field begins with FLCC’s A.A.S. Viticulture and Wine Technology degree. This degree combines courses in the science of wine making, hands-on experience in commercial vineyards, a focus on sustainability, and wine tasting at the nearby New York Wine and Culinary Center in Canandaigua, which culminates in an examination that will enable you to become an internationally certified wine taster. Graduating with this interesting and exciting degree will prepare you for a career in one of many facets of the viticulture and wine industry.
The Program
FLCC’s A.A.S. Viticulture and Wine Technology degree is designed to provide you with the knowledge and training necessary to pursue a career in viticulture, vineyard management, winery operations, tasting room management, and wine sales. Building on FLCC’s well-known and established Environmental Conservation and Horticulture programs, this degree also includes an emphasis on sustainability, ensuring that the environmental issues so very important in the region will be addressed.
Graduates of the program will:
- be able to perform the necessary skills for seasonal vineyard operations of pruning, disease and pest control, grapevine canopy management, and crop regulation
- understand how to successfully manage a vineyard; develop plans for irrigation, fertility, and pest management with the least impact on the environment
- be able to evaluate potential sites for vineyard development through soil and environmental analysis
- be able to prepare reports to track ripening data, vineyard pesticide applications, fertilizer requirements, and canopy measurements
- use the knowledge of government regulations (OSHA) related to pesticide use, field sanitation, and employment regulations to maintain appropriate compliance
- be able to identify and understand why and how certain grape varieties are made into different kinds of wines
- be able to discuss and market cool climate wines, in particular New York wines, to wine tasting room patrons
The Experience
The unique beauty of the Finger Lakes region is part of the "outdoor classroom" in this degree program. As part of your training as a student in this program, you’ll utilize the world-renowned New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, the New York Wine and Culinary Center in Canandaigua, and the hundreds of wineries in the Finger Lakes region.
Fieldtrips
Extensive field experiences are integrated into many of the classes and include trips to many locations throughout the area for field technical training, grape and plant research, and more. Among other destinations, some fieldtrips will be to local wineries, including both small, family-owned wineries and large, corporate world-wide wineries, such as Constellations Brands, Inc., which operates a plant in Canandaigua.
Practicum
As a student in this program, you will benefit from the experience of two extensive practicums that will provide significant hands-on training in all facets of wine making. You’ll also gain experience in the planting, pruning, and harvesting of grapes as well as the making, tasting, and bottling of wine.
The Graduates
With this degree, you’ll be among other graduates who are prepared for employment opportunities in vineyard management, wine tasting room operations, wine center management, wine tasting operations, cellar procedures, equipment operation, and pesticide program management. Employment opportunities exist in small and large wineries, and you’ll also be prepared to explore transfer to a four-year institution, such as Cornell University.*
Notes:
* This is a sampling of some of the four-year colleges and universities to which FLCC students have transferred. Please consult your advisor or the Center for Advisement and Personal Development for a complete listing of transfer agreements between FLCC and four-year institutions.