News Release 07-109-D

1st ‘Establishing a Vineyard’ registrant to be recognized

UCC wine course topped off with 50 Friday; 35+ students Saturday

	News Release 07-109-D	For more information:
	Release date: 03/05/08	Bentley Gilbert
	For immediate release	(541) 440-7747
	http://www.umpqua.edu/ 

Roseburg— Umpqua Community College already is taking great strides with its grape-growing/wine-making curriculum.

Under the auspices of the Southern Oregon Wine Institute, UCC will begin a two-year degree program in viticulture and enology in the fall of 2008. However, classes have already begun.

This past weekend, the College sponsored marketing and promotion instruction for southern Oregon wine makers called “From Cellar to Seller.” At that, a nationally-known wine writer kicked off a dinner of wine supplied by associated wine-makers and of food prepared by the College’s culinary arts department. Dan Berger said that the Umpqua Valley was one of the finest areas he’d seen for grape cultivation and told how local wine makers can exploit their product.

This weekend (March 7 & 8) and in two more (April 11 & 12, and May 9 & 10), those interested in establishing a vineyard will learn how to get started. At this point, the initial class has proved to be so popular that it has reached the limit of 35 that the College put on it and has a wait list.

On Friday evening, the first registrant for this series of courses – a well-known local personality – will be recognized. Nearly 50 people are expected to attend. They will be treated to wine (in this case from Henry Estate; on the other weekends from other prominent local wineries), “heavy” hors d’oeuvres from the UCC kitchen, music from the College’s Umpqua Singers, and a presentation on “Situating the Vineyard; Irrigation; Pruning and Training Techniques” that will be continued all-day the next day (Saturday) at one of the local vineyards.

People interested in more information about the UCC viticulture (grape vine growing) and enology (wine making) program, both now and in the fall, should contact the College at 541.440.7657.

For more information, please contact Bentley Gilbert, UCC community relations director, at 541.440.7747.