January 14, 2004
Wine Classes for a New YearWhat A wonderful resource we have here in the viticulture and enology program at Allan Hancock College!
Rebecca Alarcio, the college's Director of Public Affairs, told me about some wine classes offered this spring in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Two semester-length courses and one 12-week course will be offered at the college's Solvang Center, located at 320 Alisal Road, Suite 306.
The two semester-length courses begin the week of January 26. The course are:
Several other viticulture/enology courses are being offered on the Santa Maria campus during the spring semester, Rebecca told me. Semester-length courses include Intro to Winemaking/Enology, Intro to Viticulture, Winery Organization, Viticulture Operations 2, Integrated Pest Management and Vituculture Operations 5.
- Advanced Wine Evaluation, (AGBUS 104, ticket #4002, 3 units), taught by Doug Braun, a popular instructor who is the owner and winemaker at Presidio Winery. The class meets Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8:50 p.m. beginning January 27. Students must be 21 years or older in order to enroll in this course, which will involve a study of Bordeaux, Burgundian and Rhone varietals from France, the United States, Chile, Italy, New Zealand, Australia and Germany. Geography soil, and industry practice and techniques will also be discussed.
- Wine Marketing and Sales, (AGBUS 105, ticket #4042, 3 units), meets Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8:50 p.m. beginning January 28. The course will provide a study of production techniques, planning, marketing channels, advertising, promotion, packaging, pricing, retail/wholesale distribution and public relations.
- Quality Wine Production, (AGBUS 110, ticket #4041) is the twelve week, 2 unit class. It meets Monday evenings from 6 to 8:50 p.m. from January 26 through April 26. This class is designed for students aspiring to or currently working in wine production facilities. Topics include skills necessary to produce quality wine, including techniques from harvesting the fruit to bottling the wine as well as skills for developing appropriate timelines for each step.
Fast Track classes, some lasting only two days or a weekend) include the popular Pairing Wine and Food taught by Ardison Phillips, Basic Winemaking 2 and Wine Tasting Room Personnel Development.
For more information about the program, contact Merilark Padgett-Johnson at (805) 922-6966 ext. 3760 or mpadgett@hancock.cc.ca.us
In a biographical sidebar, and at the risk of embarrassing her (although I know it won't, as long as I tell the whole story as she insists), I have known Rebecca Alarcio since before she went to Cal Poly where she graduated. I met Rebecca through her older sister who was the "love of my life" at the time. Rebecca interned for us at KTMS FM in Santa Barbara, particularly for Kevin Riggs who now works for KCRA in Sacramento. She was a reporter/anchor for both KSBY and KCOY. Last week she told me she has worked at Hancock for almost 20 years. Time flies!
Bon Appetit!
Wine lover and Santa Maria Times Wine columnist, Bob Senn, lives in the bucolic Los Alamos Valley and owns the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium.
