What’s in a name? Long a question for philosophers and playwrights, the question for wine students who wanted to study at Washington State University was a little more important. In the past, students at WSU would earn a degree in integrated plant sciences with a major in viticulture and enology.

But the diploma didn’t list either viticulture or enology. That changes for fall 2020 with the creation of a bachelor’s degree in viticulture and enology at the university. The degree was approved by the Board of Regents in May, and the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities gave its final approval in June.

André-Denis Wright, dean of the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resources Sciences, expressed approval in clearing this last hurdle to add the degree for students at WSU and in that college. “We’ve been working closely with the wine industry, and having this new degree will help our students stand out in this competitive and growing industry,” he says.

Major based at WSU Tri-Cities campus

Students will see the new degree on their diplomas starting with the fall 2020 class of graduates. The degree will be based at the WSU Tri-Cities campus, Richland, Wash., the site of the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center.

Adds Sandra Hynes, WSU Tri-Cities chancellor: “We’re excited to officially add the viticulture and enology degree program to our campus. Given our proximity to the wine industry in the mid-Columbia region in Washington, as well as the location of the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center on our campus, this is the perfect location for the home of the V&E program and degree.”

In the past, students could choose to pursue the major at either the Pullman or Tri-Cities campus. Going forward, all students must finish at least the last two years of the degree at Tri-Cities. The location also puts students close to the state’s winegrape and winemaking industries, offering the opportunity to work closely with winemakers and vineyards as part of their education. A portion of all wine sales in the state go to support wine research at WSU.

Steve Warner, president of the Washington State Wine Commission, notes that the new degree is an important step for “our entire industry. The world-class Wine Science Center is an amazing place for students to learn right in the middle of Washington wine country, giving them the opportunity to work hands-on with our wineries and vineyards.”

Major options

V&E students will have many opportunities to have internships with, and learn from, wineries and vineyards from around the Tri-Cities area. They will also have access to research tools, including specialized labs and vineyards at the Wine Science Center and at the WSU Extension facility in Prosser.

Current Pullman students who have previously declared viticulture and enology as their major will be grandfathered in and can finish at either Pullman or Tri-Cities. New V&E students have two options for starting their academic path: spend their entire time at WSU Tri-Cities or start in Pullman, then finish the degree in Tri-Cities.

Students who want to stay in Pullman will have other options in related fields, like fermentation science, or they can earn a minor in V&E.

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