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WINCHESTER — After several months of talking with winery owners from Douglas and Jackson counties, Umpqua Community College is preparing to begin a program in grape growing and wine making.
Scott Henry, owner of Henry Estate Winery near Umpqua, met with about 40 percent of the Umpqua Wine Growers Association members, conducting focus groups to find out whether owners would support a program at UCC and what they would like it to include.
About 60 people gathered at the college Monday night to hear the results and celebrate.
Earl Jones, who owns Abacela vineyard, began the evening with a toast.
“I raise a toast to a wonderful project, the second in Oregon ... to try to educate people who work in our wineries and vineyards,” Jones said. “To the future of education in grapes and wine.”
Then Henry presented the results of the focus groups. He said he has found overwhelming support for a viticulture and enology program at UCC.
Russ Lyon of the Southern Oregon Wine Growers Association found similar results in the Rogue Valley.
A study by CCbenefits that was commissioned by UCC found that southern Oregon has 140,000 acres suitable for grape production, and 40,000 of those are prime acres. Vineyards currently take up about 4,000 acres.
Henry said local wine growers are looking for continuing education for themselves as well as for workers who know about vineyard work and wine making. Smaller producers would be less likely to hire graduates of the program, though they might share employees.
Growers also said they would be willing to help with donations of fruit and equipment, and those who could afford it would sponsor students’ tuition.
They estimated that a student with a one-year certificate in viticulture, or vine growing, would make $10 to $15 per hour, and a person with a two-year degree in enology, or wine making, would make $15 to $20 per hour.
The wine growers also suggested several classes, including Spanish, for those who would work with Spanish speakers, and suggested offering classes on wine for consumers. They thought UCC’s culinary arts program would fit naturally with some classes on food and wine, too, Henry said.
UCC plans to introduce several courses this year and begin a one-year certificate in viticulture next school year. The following year will include a two-year Associate’s degree in enology, and the college plans to design the program so students could easily transfer to a four-year college for more training.
The college will also begin planting a 2-acre test vineyard this fall and eventually hopes to open a test winery.
UCC President Blaine Nisson compares the region with Walla Walla, Wash., which has developed a strong wine industry. Nisson thinks the Umpqua Valley has even more potential because of its location. With Interstate 5, the Umpqua River, nearby beaches and other attractions, he believes the area could become a major tourist destination supported by the wine industry.
Based on the growth in Walla Walla, CCbenefits estimates southern Oregon’s wine industry could produce 5,000 jobs, including jobs related to the industry, bringing in $115 million over the next 10 years.
“In closing,” Nisson said, “I want you to remember that you were part of history tonight.”
• You can reach reporter Teresa Williams at 957-4230 or via e-mail at twilliams@newsreview.info.
Scott Henry, owner of Henry Estate Winery near Umpqua, met with about 40 percent of the Umpqua Wine Growers Association members, conducting focus groups to find out whether owners would support a program at UCC and what they would like it to include.
About 60 people gathered at the college Monday night to hear the results and celebrate.
Earl Jones, who owns Abacela vineyard, began the evening with a toast.
“I raise a toast to a wonderful project, the second in Oregon ... to try to educate people who work in our wineries and vineyards,” Jones said. “To the future of education in grapes and wine.”
Then Henry presented the results of the focus groups. He said he has found overwhelming support for a viticulture and enology program at UCC.
Russ Lyon of the Southern Oregon Wine Growers Association found similar results in the Rogue Valley.
A study by CCbenefits that was commissioned by UCC found that southern Oregon has 140,000 acres suitable for grape production, and 40,000 of those are prime acres. Vineyards currently take up about 4,000 acres.
Henry said local wine growers are looking for continuing education for themselves as well as for workers who know about vineyard work and wine making. Smaller producers would be less likely to hire graduates of the program, though they might share employees.
Growers also said they would be willing to help with donations of fruit and equipment, and those who could afford it would sponsor students’ tuition.
They estimated that a student with a one-year certificate in viticulture, or vine growing, would make $10 to $15 per hour, and a person with a two-year degree in enology, or wine making, would make $15 to $20 per hour.
The wine growers also suggested several classes, including Spanish, for those who would work with Spanish speakers, and suggested offering classes on wine for consumers. They thought UCC’s culinary arts program would fit naturally with some classes on food and wine, too, Henry said.
UCC plans to introduce several courses this year and begin a one-year certificate in viticulture next school year. The following year will include a two-year Associate’s degree in enology, and the college plans to design the program so students could easily transfer to a four-year college for more training.
The college will also begin planting a 2-acre test vineyard this fall and eventually hopes to open a test winery.
UCC President Blaine Nisson compares the region with Walla Walla, Wash., which has developed a strong wine industry. Nisson thinks the Umpqua Valley has even more potential because of its location. With Interstate 5, the Umpqua River, nearby beaches and other attractions, he believes the area could become a major tourist destination supported by the wine industry.
Based on the growth in Walla Walla, CCbenefits estimates southern Oregon’s wine industry could produce 5,000 jobs, including jobs related to the industry, bringing in $115 million over the next 10 years.
“In closing,” Nisson said, “I want you to remember that you were part of history tonight.”
• You can reach reporter Teresa Williams at 957-4230 or via e-mail at twilliams@newsreview.info.
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