Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute will launch its latest series of classes in the Tasting Room Management Certificate Program.  Dan Berger, Michael Houlihan and Martin Jones will join the team of industry experts currently teaching in the program.

Candidates for the Tasting Room Management Certificate are required to complete three core courses and five electives.  The program can be completed in one semester or at the participant’s own pace.

The three topics covered by the core curriculum are Building a Profitable Wine Club (February 24), State Compliance for Direct Shipping and Introduction to Tasting Room Management (both offered on March 2).  Electives reach beyond the tasting room to include additional topics in wine marketing, compliance and human resources. 

Regular contributors returning to teach this semester include:  Wendy Bruce, Jil Child, Steve Cuellar, Gary Finnan, Marie Gewirtz, Steve Gross, Nyk King, David Sandri and Elizabeth Slater. 

In partnership with the Napa Valley Vintners, two of the electives will be offered at the

Vintners’ headquarters in St. Helena:  Innovative Wine Marketing & Brand Momentum and Practical Strategies to Increase Wine e-Commerce Sales on March 16.

On the university campus in Rohnert Park, seven electives will be offered, including:  Winning Distribution Strategies, Exit Strategy:  Brand Building and Value, Managing Performance of Tasting Room Employees, Introduction to IRI/Nielsen Scan Data, Wine Marketing, Selling Through the Tasting Room, The DNA of Consumer Experience and Federal Wine Compliance: Taking the Mystery Out of the Process. 

These professional development courses are open to the public and may be taken individually.  There are no prerequisites and industry experience is not required.  Tuition for each class is $150.

For more information about this program, visit the Wine Business Institute online at

Sonoma State’s Wine Business Institute Professional Programs (http://www.sonoma.edu/sbe/wine-business-institute/professional-development/tasting-room-management-certificate.html) or contact Marcia Harrigan at 664-3011.  Register directly through the following link:  Spring Registration (http://www.certain.com/system/profile/form/index.cfm?PKformID=0x1194303b607).