Newt Koemel

B.S. Food Science, B.S. Animal Science, 2021
M.S. Food Science, 2024

What is your current role or what industry do you work in?

My current role is Assistant Winemaker at Perissos Vineyard and Winery in Burnet, Texas.

Why did you choose the Davis College/AFS department?

Being from a small west Texas town and having family that graduated from Texas Tech, I fell in love with the community and small town feel of Lubbock. When I was given the opportunity to enroll in the Davis College and be on a path to be a member of the 2019 Meats Judging Team, I knew my decision had been made.

What impact does your work have and who benefits from it?

I became passionate for winemaking following an internship at Llano Estacado Winery in Lubbock. The biggest driver of that passion for me is how I am able to constantly work with my hands and create a product that you can share with people. I believe that wine can leave a positive impact because it has a special way of bringing people together. Whether it is pairing a wine with a great dinner with family, or sharing a bottle with friends, wine creates atmospheres where memories are made. I believe wine can be largely beneficial for people that are wanting to connect with others.

How did your department help with the skills you use in your career today?

The Department of Food Science helped prepare me for this job by giving me a love for science and a better understanding of chemistry. Courses like Food Chemistry and Food Analysis with hands on lab sections were great ways to apply chemistry in a more applicable way. Labs like these that are offered by the Department paved the way for my understanding of chemistry in wine that I use today. I am thankful for all of the professors I met in the department as they were an integral part of getting me to the position I am in now.

What advice would you give to students currently in the department?

My advice to students would be to remember that it is okay if you do not have everything in life figured out right now. I did not find my passion and career path until my last year of my undergraduate degree. There was a lot of stress involved with that. However, I was able to lean on my mentors in the Department and they helped me find my passion in a field I knew nothing about. If you feel like you need guidance, ask for help!