This fall, Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus is offering two introductory viticulture and enology courses at Morton Hall in Russellville and the same two courses at Chaffee Crossing in Fort Smith.
“We have a great potential for grape and wine industry growth here in Arkansas,” Andy Allen, Chair of the Enology and Viticulture program at Arkansas Tech University-Ozark, said. “This means there is going to be a need for winemakers, cellar hands, grape growers, vineyard workers and more.”
Hobbyists are also encouraged to take these courses, according to Allen.
“Beyond professional aspirations, if you just want to learn how to grow grapes or make wine for your own use, this is a great way to go about it,” Allen said.
The fall semester runs Aug. 24 through Dec. 13. The Russellville courses will meet at Morton Hall located at 1700 West C Street. The Fort Smith sections will meet at Chaffee Crossing located at 1221 Ward Drive, Building 139.
The Russellville section of Survey of Grapes & Wines will meet on Wednesdays from 1-3:50 p.m. The Fort Smith section will meet on Monday nights from 5:30-8:20 p.m. This course introduces students to the world of grapes and wines.
Survey of Grapes and Wines examines the major wine-producing regions of the world, the grapes they grow and the wines made from them. If you are interested in wine but feel confused by wine jargon or intimidated by the aura of mystique surrounding it, this course will help you to feel comfortable as you walk down the wine aisle.
The Russellville section of Introduction to Enology will meet on Wednesday nights from 5:30-8:20 p.m. The Fort Smith section will meet on Thursday nights from 5:30-8:20 p.m. This introductory course in the basic science and technology of winemaking is intended for entrepreneurs exploring business opportunities in the grape wine industry, as well as prospective small winery employees interested in career development.
Home winemakers lacking any formal training on the subject may also benefit from this basic course. Students will make wine at home from a kit, track fermentation, conduct basic wine analyses and provide one bottle of finished wine to the instructor for evaluation at the conclusion of the course.
For questions or more information about the course contact Andy Allen at rallen17@atu.edu.
To register for these courses, or for more information, contact the Office of Student Services at (479) 667-2117 or visit www.atu.edu/ozark.
