December 16, 2025
Time to Register: VESTA Classes Begin January 12Registration deadline: Monday, January 5, 2026
If you've been considering advancing your wine industry career through education, now is the time to act. The Viticulture and Enology Science and Technology Alliance (VESTA) program is accepting registrations for classes beginning the week of January 12, 2026.
What is VESTA?
VESTA offers specialized education in viticulture and enology, providing students with the scientific and technical knowledge essential for success in the wine industry. Whether you're looking to deepen your expertise, pivot your career, or gain credentials that set you apart, VESTA's program is designed to meet the needs of working professionals.
Don't Miss the Deadline
Registration closes Monday, January 5, 2026—just days away. Classes start the following week, giving you the opportunity to begin building new skills and advancing your career right at the start of the new year.
Ready to Get Started?
Learn more about the program, course offerings, and how to register:
VESTA Program Information
Questions? Visit the program website for full details, or reach out to the VESTA team directly.
The deadline is approaching fast—register today and invest in your wine industry future.
January 24, 2025
This Is VESTASeptember 12, 2023
Wine Sensory Analysis Workshop in Tennessee 2023
Wine Sensory Analysis Workshop Tennessee 2023
September 30, 2023-October 01, 2023
Presenter - Zoran Ljepovic
Facilitator - CW Kelley III
Location: Ruth and Steve West Workforce Development Center
Pellissippi State Community College
2731 W Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Friendsville, TN 37737
Topics include: Welcome and Introduction to Tasting, White Sensory Standards, Red Sensory Standards, and Evaluating Palate Attributes: Alcohol, Acid, and Tannin Wine Defects, Descriptive Wine Analysis of White Wines, Descriptive Analysis of Red Wines, Laboratory Investigating, Wine Competition Methodology and Professional Wine Rating Systems. A certificate will be awarded after the completion of this workshop.
https://www.vesta-usa.org/.../Wine-Sensory-Analysis...
February 20, 2023
Wine Sensory Workshop for VIN 266 and the Public
Join VESTA Resource Center for the Sensory Evaluation Of Wine Workshop at Kent State University Ashtabula Viticulture and Enology program.
March 18-19, 2023 at The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio. Featuring world-renowned wine expert, educator, and judge Zoran Ljepovic.
This two-day workshop, sensory-intensive, will leave attendees feeling more confident in identifying production problems of faults and defects as they happen in the cellar. Attendees will expand their knowledge of wine styles and common wine descriptors which will help winemakers fine-tune their wines.
Register and Learn More at www.Kent.edu/Ashtabula/Wine
December 12, 2022
Deadline to Register for Spring VESTA Course VIN 212 Winter Viticulture Technology is December 15, 2023
Deadline to Register for VIN 212 Winter Viticulture TechnologyDecember 12, 2022
Deadline to Register for Spring VESTA Courses is January 13, 2023
It's that time of the semester! Deadline to register for Spring 2023 courses is January 13, 2023.| COURSE | TITLE | CREDITS | PRACTICUM |
|---|---|---|---|
| VIN 105 | Molecular Principles in Grape and Wine | Credit: 4 | Practicum: N/A |
| VIN 110 | Introduction to Wine Microorganisms | Credit: 3 | Practicum: NA |
| VIN 111 | Introduction to Viticulture and Vineyard Establishment | Credit: 3 | Practicum: 16 hours |
| VIN 117 | Cold Climate Viticulture and Enology | Credit: 1 | Practicum: NA |
| VIN 132 | Entrepreneurial Finance for Vineyard and Winery Business | Credit: 3 | Practicum: N/A |
| VIN 146 | Introduction to Enology | Credit: 3 | Practicum: 8 hours |
| VIN 147 | Fruit Wine Production | Credit: 2 | Practicum: N/A |
| VIN 148 | Winery Sanitation | Credit: 3 | Practicum: N/A |
| VIN 160 | Winery Equipment Operation | Credit: 2 | Practicum: N/A |
| VIN 212 | Winter Viticulture Technology | Credit: 2 | Practicum: 32 hours |
| VIN 214 | Spring Viticulture Technology | Credit: 2 | Practicum: 32 hours |
| VIN 247 | Intermediate Enology-Post Harvest | Credit: 2 | Practicum: 16 hours |
| VIN 259 | Cellar Operation Technology | Credit: 2 | Practicum: 64 hours |
| VIN 266 | Sensory Evaluation | Credit: 3 | Practicum: Workshop |
| VIN 268 | Wine and Must Analysis | Credit: 3 | Practicum: Workshop |
| VIN 272 | Winery Tasting Room Management | Credit: 2 | Practicum: N/A |
| VIN 275 | Adv. Financial Management for the Wine Business Entrepreneur | Credit: 3 | Practicum: N/A |
| VIN 280 | Winery Establishment and Design | Credit: 2 | Practicum: N/A |
| VIN 290 | Vineyard and Winery Safety | Credit: 3 | Practicum: N/A |
| VIN 293 | Soils for Viticulture | Credit: 3 | Practicum: N/A |
November 9, 2022
VESTA and the US Department of Labor Celebrates the 85th Anniversary of the Registered Apprenticeship ActNational Apprenticeship Week is November 14-20, 2022. It is also the 85th anniversary of Registered Apprenticeship Act Celebrate with VESTA and the US Department of Labor.
VESTA Resource Center worked with Missouri State University, Missouri Department of Labor, and the US Department of Labor to create templates for 8 Registered Apprenticeships for the Grape and Wine Industry.
Winemaker
Assistant Winemaker
Cellar Worker
Production Technician
Vineyard Worker
Vineyard Foreman
Vineyard Manager
Tasting Room Associate
Please visit apprenticeship (vesta-usa.org) for general apprenticeship information.
Please visit Registered Apprenticeship Workshops (vesta-usa.org) to download the DOL approved templates to create Registered Apprenticeships for the GWI.
Questions? Email vesta@missouristate.edu for more information. 
October 5, 2022
Meet the Viticulture and Enology Experts of VESTA Resource CenterDr. Anne Fennel is a Distinguished Professor at South Dakota State University.
Academic Interests/Expertise:
- Grapevine bud dormancy and cold hardiness
- Grapevine Genetics and genomics
- Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology
Dr. Barry Gump is the Harvey R. Chaplin Eminent Scholar Chair in Beverage Management at Florida International University.
Academic Interests/Expertise:
- analytical methodology applied to grapes, juices, and wines
- Beer, Wine Consultant, Wine Judge
