Vineyard and Winery Technology

Washington Wine: A Growing Industry

Washington’s wine industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the state. There are over 950 licensed wineries and more than 350 grape growers in Washington state. YVC’s Vineyard and Winery Technology Program is centrally located in the heart of the Washington State Wine industry.

We have an award-winning teaching winery, complete with a tasting room located on the Grandview Campus called Yakima Valley Vintners.

Additional Agriculture Degrees are also offered including a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Agricultural Sciences (BASAG).

Degrees

Certificates

The following certificates are designed to provide students with a concentration of courses in a specific technical area. The certificates may be suitable for students who wish to increase their knowledge and skills in a particular area. All courses taken for the certificates would apply toward the related associate degree programs.

Winery Program Distance Learning Opportunities

Students can now access two-year degrees and professional certification across Washington State to meet their career path needs. Course work is offered online and through hands-on training opportunities.

Learn about the collaborations between Yakima Valley, South Seattle, and Wenatchee Valley Colleges.

Teaching Winery and Vineyard

YVC has an award-winning teaching winery, complete with tasting rooms located on the Yakima and Grandview campuses, called Yakima Valley Vintners. The Teaching Vineyard was added in 2010 on the Grandview Campus, providing additional practical training opportunities.

The Grandview Campus houses the state of the art teaching facilities for the Vineyard and Winery Technology Programs. The teaching winery includes a laboratory, classrooms, tasting ro​om, barrel and case storage, as well as two incubator (start-up) winery spaces. While progressing through the Winery Technology Program students have the opportunity to work through the wine making process from grape to glass, a task that also includes selling their product out of the on-campus tasting room. Having two incubators is unique to any other wine program nationally as it combines the academic and business environments into one setting enhancing the learning environment for students.

Donations by the Washington State Grape and Wine Industry allowed for the planting of the Teaching Vineyard on the Grandview Campus in 2010. Students played an intricate role in both the design of the vineyard and planting of the Cabernet Franc, Lemberger and Riesling vines that make up the Teaching Vineyard. Each fall the General Viticulture course uses the Teaching Vineyard to learn many aspects of vineyard growth and establishment while each winter students in the Advanced Viticulture course learn the basics of pruning as they prepare the vineyard for the upcoming growing season. Beginning with the 2012 academic year, students have used their estate grown grapes in the Essentials of Winemaking course.

Follow us on Social Media

Contacts

Trent BallAgriculture Department Chair & Faculty
Phone: 509.882.7007
Grandview Campus
Workforce Ed Building, Room 121
Yakima Campus
Skills Center Annex, Room 104
Dr. Holly FergusonFaculty Viticulture
Phone: 509.574.4517
Yakima Campus
Deccio Building, Room 229
Barbara ZimmermannInstructional Tech - Agriculture Programs
Phone: 509.882.7037
Grandview Campus
Workforce Building, Room 183