Wine Immersion Program

Linfield College in McMinnville, OR will launch a wine industry immersion program this summer, adding another component to its wine education offerings. The eight-week program, begins June 14, Ellen Brittan, Linfield's director of wine education talks about the program.

BRITTAN: We felt that something that would be more like a hands-on, field trip oriented bootcamp for lack of a better word would be an interesting adjunct. This summer wine experience is not for credit so it's open to Linfield students but it's also open to the general public.

Linfield doesn't have a grad program in wine science but Brittan says they are introducing a minor.

BRITTAN: We have a new wine studies minor approved here at Linfield that's launching this fall and undergraduates can actually declare a minor in wine studies along with whatever major they've selected. For example they can be a business major with wine studies minor or marketing major, biology or chemistry major if they are going into the science side.

But she says the immersion program is more about experience and fun.

BRITTAN: It's not about testing or anything. it's very focused on experiential learning, two full days a week and every day will be a field trip going to one or more vineyards or wineries or tasting rooms and finishing up with some interesting food and wine paring and sensory experience.

Get details on their website at linfield.edu.

That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network of the West.