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Enology & Viticulture

Why Choose WWCC for Enology & Viticulture?

Learn the Science. Master the Craft. Make the Wine.

At Walla Walla Community College, you won’t just study winemaking and grape growing. You’ll experience them firsthand.

Our students work in six acres of teaching vineyards and participate in real wine production at College Cellars, our teaching winery. From managing grapevines and monitoring fermentation to laboratory analysis and bottling, you’ll develop practical skills while learning the science behind great wine.

With small classes, experienced faculty, and strong connections to the Walla Walla Valley wine industry, you’ll have opportunities to learn directly from people who work in the field. Our hands-on approach gives you the chance to develop your abilities, ask questions, and take an active role in the winemaking process.

Whether you’re just graduating from high school, considering a career change, or building on existing experience, our program can help you take the next step toward a career in wine.

Careers in Enology & Viticulture

Local Expertise for Local Industry

The Walla Walla Valley is home to more than 120 wineries and thousands of jobs in the wine industry. Many of those are filled by people trained at WWCC. With the skills you’ll learn in our program, you could become a vineyard manager, crew leader or viticulturist. Or you might go on to a career as a winemaker, cellar worker, lab tech or salesperson. Our classes are developed hand in hand with local industry leaders. And you’ll have opportunities here like nowhere else.

Certificates & Degrees in Enology & Viticulture

Our program opens doors in the Walla Walla Valley and beyond. It has flexible options — from one-year certificates to a two-year degree. In this program, you’ll learn the core skills needed to grow grapes, make wine and run a wine business.

Enology & Viticulture Program Details

Admission Guidelines

Start Your Journey in Winemaking and Viticulture

Interested in growing wine grapes, making wine, or pursuing a career in the wine industry? Walla Walla Community College’s Enology & Viticulture program offers hands-on education in our teaching vineyards, laboratories, and College Cellars winery.

You don’t need previous experience in the wine industry to get started. Whether you’re graduating from high school, exploring a career change, or looking to build on your existing skills, we’re happy to help you explore your options.

Admission Requirements

To enroll in the Enology & Viticulture program, students must:

Be at least 18 years of age.
Have a high school diploma or GED.

Come See What We Do

One of the best ways to learn about our program is to visit us in person. We encourage prospective students to tour our classrooms, laboratories, vineyards, and teaching winery. You’ll have an opportunity to meet faculty and students, ask questions, and get a firsthand look at what it’s like to study Enology & Viticulture at WWCC.

Not able to visit Walla Walla? We’re happy to arrange a Zoom meeting to talk about the program and answer your questions.

How to Get Started

Apply to WWCC. Complete the free online application.
Submit your transcripts. Request official transcripts from any colleges you’ve previously attended. A high school transcript may also be requested.
Complete placement. WWCC uses guided self-placement to help determine the appropriate starting courses in English, reading, and mathematics. Visit the Placement page for details.
Explore financial aid and scholarships. Complete the FAFSA or WASFA as early as possible and explore available financial aid opportunities. Enology & Viticulture students may also qualify for program-specific scholarships. Visit WWCC Financial Aid to learn more.
Meet with your advisor. We’ll help you develop an educational plan, understand the course sequence, and prepare for your first quarter.

When Can I Start?

We welcome applications throughout the year. Because vineyard and winery education follows seasonal activities, the best time to begin may depend on your educational goals and the courses you need.

Hands-On Learning and Safety

Our program includes practical experience in vineyards, laboratories, and winery production facilities. Students participate in activities that may involve vineyard pruning, equipment operation, lifting and moving materials, and other physical tasks associated with grape growing and winemaking. Some activities may involve handling items weighing up to 50 pounds.

We are committed to providing an accessible learning environment. Students with questions about accommodations or accessibility are encouraged to contact WWCC Disability Support Services.

Questions? We’d Love to Talk With You.

Choosing a college program is an important decision, and we’re happy to help you determine whether Enology & Viticulture is the right fit.

Contact the Enology & Viticulture office to schedule a visit, arrange a virtual meeting, or learn more about getting started.

Phone: 509.524.5170
Email: ev@wwcc.edu

Scholarship Opportunities

At WWCC, we’ll help you find scholarships that may be open to you. Scholarships provide money for school that you don’t have to pay back. They can be used for things like tuition, books, tools and fees. They come from sources like the WWCC Foundation, local businesses and private funds. Some

WWCC programs also have scholarships for students working toward a certain certificate or degree. You might qualify based on good grades, financial need or the potential to benefit from school. The bottom line: You have options. We’ll help you explore them at WWCC.

Paying for Your Degree

There are lots of ways to pay for college. We will work with you to find the right mix of support so that you can go after your dreams. Talk with us to learn more about:

Financial aid — grants, scholarships and student loans.

Workforce Education Services — support for students on workforce training pathways.

Warrior Pledge — covers needs not met by other financial aid.

Flexible payment plans — low monthly payments with no interest.

Work study — work part-time on campus while you earn your degree.

Emergency funds — for students who are struggling to make ends meet.

You can go to college. Start exploring your options today.

Transfer Opportunities

Washington State University
Students may bridge from Walla Walla’s Enology and Viticulture program to the WSU Viticulture and Enology degree. The partnership provides a geographic advantage for students seeking hands-on experience in the heart of Washington wine country.
Bordeaux Sciences Agro
Discover Bordeaux Sciences Agro’s board offer in International Viticulture and Enology programs.

Other Information

The Institute also offers seminars in sensory evaluation, barrel making, wine yeasts, wine appreciation, wine consumer education, health and wine awareness, and hospitality training.

For additional information including regional employment data, completion rates, student characteristics, and employment see http://www.careerbridge.wa.gov.

College Cellars of Walla Walla

College Cellars of Walla Walla is a teaching winery located at the Walla Walla Institute for Enology and Viticulture at Walla Walla Community College. Our wines are produced by our student winemakers. With access to cutting edge technology and training in time-honored techniques, they craft wines that express the vibrancy of the Walla Walla Valley AVA and its winemaking community.

College Cellars

Helpful Links

About our Graduates

WWCC By the Numbers

1,953

Students at WWCC

63%

Attend Full Time

52%

Receiving Financial Aid

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