New wine science and viticulture certificate program now available online

A brand new Viticulture and Wine Science Certificate Program is now open for enrollment, offering a unique opportunity for individuals interested in mastering the science behind grapevine cultivation and winemaking.

The online program provides both professionals and enthusiasts with the chance to develop specialized knowledge and hands-on experience, paving the way for careers in the growing Texas wine industry.

The certificate was developed with support from the Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Department of Horticultural Sciences within the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Course allows participants to customize learning

The program offers two individual tracks – viticulture and wine science — or an option to pursue both tracks through a dual track, allowing participants to gain expertise in all aspects of vineyard management and winemaking.

Students will engage in a comprehensive curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with real-world application, covering everything from grape cultivation to the chemistry of winemaking, all within an 18-month timeframe.

Amit Dhingra, Ph.D., head of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, said the courses are designed to take participants from novice to expert through hands-on workshops and real-world experience in 24 months or they can complete it at their own pace.

“We developed this course based on industry feedback, analyzing the needs of producers and reviewing existing certificate programs across the country to ensure our curriculum and training meets the highest quality standards,” Dhingra said. “It really does bring everything together under one umbrella and provides a structured certificate the industry wanted and needed.”

Wine science and viticulture tracks

The program’s instructors include AgriLife Extension viticulture and enology experts in the Department of Horticultural Sciences who have decades of applied research, teaching and field experience.

These experts are leaders in their fields and are spearheading the continued evolution of practical scientific methods and technologies being applied by vineyard managers and winemakers across Texas.

Courses in the wine science track focus on the art and science behind winemaking, covering topics like the chemistry of wine making as well as hands-on training in labs and workshops.

The viticulture track teaches the intricacies and nuances of the essential techniques needed to establish and maintain a successful vineyard, teaching students the complexities of grapevine care and vineyard management.

Both tracks incorporate hands-on workshops and field experience at vineyards, giving the participants an opportunity to practice their skills in a real-world setting.

Dhingra noted the workshops will also help participants build valuable connections within the Texas wine industry, linking them to vineyard operators, winemakers and other professionals.

“This program was created by the industry, for the industry,” Dhingra said. “It provides aspiring hobbyists, new vineyard operators, and entrepreneurial-minded individuals with the scientific foundation and practical expertise necessary to thrive in the dynamic world of viticulture and winemaking.”