Enology & Viticulture

Why Choose WWCC for Enology & Viticulture?

At the Institute for Enology and Viticulture, you’ll get hands-on training in grape growing and winemaking. You’ll help actively manage WWCC’s teaching vineyards, with six planted acres of wine grapes. And you’ll learn about winemaking and wine-related chemistry in our state-of-the-art teaching winery, College Cellars. Our program also teaches students the business skills to manage and market a winery. Our courses are tailored to meet the needs of the Pacific Northwest wine industry. So you’ll graduate with the skills and connections to take your place in the vineyards, wineries and cellars of the Walla Walla Valley — or the world.

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

Students must be 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED to enroll in Enology and Viticulture.

If you are considering our program we encourage you to contact our office to schedule a visit to our classrooms, labs, cellar, and tasting room. You will meet faculty and students and have an opportunity to learn what it’s like to join our hands-on program. If you do not live in Walla Walla, Wa we are happy to schedule a Zoom meeting with you!

Students must be physically able to safely perform the tasks required in the vineyard and winery, which will include pruning, lifting, climbing, bending, stretching, twisting, crawling and moving, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling items weighing up to 50 lbs. Ability to taste, smell, and check for optical clarity of wine. Ability to visually inspect and sort wine grapes – checking for diseases and insects – during the growing season through harvest.

Apply to Walla Walla Community College
Request official transcripts from all colleges you have attended be sent to the Office of Admissions. (A high school transcript also may be required.)
Complete placement test to determine eligibility to enroll in Math & English Courses. For more information about scheduling placement testing visit https://www.wwcc.edu/testing/.
Apply for financial aid as soon as possible after October 1, 2024. Visit WWCC’s financial aid website: https://www.wwcc.edu/financial-aid/for specific instructions.

Note: Students in the Enology & Viticulture Program will be eligible to apply for an additional set of department scholarships. More information regarding the EV scholarships will be sent upon acceptance into the program.

We are always accepting applications. For priority consideration, submit your application materials by April 15, 2024. After that date, students will be admitted on a space available basis. There is opportunity to begin coursework prior to Fall 2024. Please contact us for additional information.

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

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