As Texas’ wine industry continues to flourish, Texas Tech is preparing to cultivate a new generation of vineyard professionals.
Applications are now open for the university’s Viticulture Certificate Program, a two-year course designed to equip aspiring vineyard managers and wine entrepreneurs with a thorough grounding in grape production. The program, run by Texas Tech’s Department of Plant & Soil Science, is in Fredericksburg, a key hub for the state’s fast-growing wine sector located approximately 77 miles west of Austin.
“We'll have a new cohort of students for the Texas Tech Viticulture Program in the fall, so it's time for potential students to start thinking about getting their applications completed,” said Kirk Williams, a Department of Plant & Soil Science lecturer.
The application window runs from June 1 through August 31, with classes scheduled to begin in mid-September. The program accepts just 40 participants per cycle, who are expected to complete a series of six integrated courses over two years. Individual course enrollment is not offered.
Developed to meet the rising demand for trained professionals in Texas’ $20 billion wine industry, the curriculum blends academic study with practical experience. Students take online modules covering topics such as grapevine biology, vineyard development, and pest management. They also participate in four hands-on sessions held at the university’s teaching vineyard in Fredericksburg.
“The program is delivered through a combination of online courses and hands-on training,” said Williams. “We want students to leave with not only theoretical knowledge, but also the skills they’ll need to manage a vineyard in the real world.”
CONTACT: Kirk Williams, Lecturer, Department of Plant & Soil Science, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-7137 or kirk.w.williams@ttu.edu
0630NM25 / Editor's Note: For more information on the Texas Tech Viticulture Certificate Program, please click here