UC Davis Extension offers a variety of courses for novice and experienced grape growers, winemakers and wine lovers. The following courses will take place September-December 2011 in Davis, unless otherwise indicated.

• Introduction to Sensory Evaluation

Novice enophiles, enhance your critical tasting ability, and learn basic aspects of sensory evaluation often overlooked in most wine tastings. Study the different components of wine appearance, aroma and flavor. Participate in tastings of doctored wines in blind and known tastings.

— Oct. 15-16: Sat.-Sun., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

— $550. Includes two lunches and all wine. Enroll in section 112VIT200.

• Online Introduction to Wine and Winemaking

Whether you're interested in a career in the wine industry or are just a devoted enophile, you can take this unique, self-paced course at home, at your convenience. Utilizing an interactive, web-based educational environment, become acquainted with the history of wine, the international wine industry, wine and health issues, and the fundamental processes involved in winemaking.

— Sept. 26-Dec. 9. No enrollments will be accepted after Sept. 22.

— $685. Enroll in section 112VID251.

• Successful Home Winemaking

Receive an overview of all phases of home wine production in this course designed for beginning home winemakers with little or no experience. This is an excellent overview for anyone considering making wine for the first time this season.

— Sept. 10: Sat., 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

— $140. Includes course material. Please bring a sack lunch. Enroll in section 111VIT212.

• Establishing the Small Vineyard

This course is the first in this series of four quarterly courses designed for home and small commercial wine grape growers. Learn the basic principles of viticulture and practical aspects of small-vineyard management. Designed for growers with little or no previous experience in grape growing, you will discover many of the issues you need to consider when establishing a new vineyard.

— Oct. 15: Sat., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

— $175. Includes course material and a box lunch. Enroll in section 112VIT201.

• Current Issues in Vineyard Health

Guest instructors, chosen for their involvement in developing solutions to the problems associated with grape pests and diseases, provide the latest management information on current topics. This year's topics include: breeding grapevines for Pierce's Disease resistance, controlling grape fungal disease such as powdery mildew and Botrytis bunch rot diseases, the grape growers' role in managing exotic pests and diseases, and mealybugs and grapevine leafroll viruses.

— Nov. 30: Wed., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

— $190. Includes course material and lunch. Enroll in section 112VIT206.

More courses

• Taxation and Accounting for the Small Vineyard

Learn the principles of accounting for a vineyard operation from the initial start-up phase through the land clearing, planting, pre-productive and productive stages. Topics include: formulating a business plan; choosing the form of doing business (which directly affects permissible farm accounting methods); avoiding the problems of passive activity; qualifying as a "farmer" under the tax code; farm accounting, including depreciation and inventory cost capitalization rules; and estate planning. 

— Oct. 19: Wed., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

— $190. Includes lunch and course material. Enroll in section 112VIT203.

• Taxation and Accounting for the Small Winery

Designed for wineries of 60,000 cases and fewer, you'll learn the advantages and disadvantages of incorporation and Subchapter S status, versus using limited liability companies determination of cost of goods sold, inventory valuation and costing (including inventory cost capitalization rules), advantages and disadvantages of electing LIFO, accelerating deductions through farm accounting procedures, depreciation methods, fringe benefits and estate planning.

— Oct. 20: Thurs., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

— $190. Includes lunch and course material. Enroll in section 112VIT204.

• Public Relations for Small Wineries

With about 3,000 commercial wineries in the U.S., how can you make yours stand out from the pack? A strong public relations program can make all the difference-and it doesn't have to break the bank. Learn the importance of a public relations plan and social media; the types of materials you need; how to interact with wine writers, bloggers and other media people; and why you can't rely on great scores and reviews alone to build your brand.

— Dec. 2: Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

— $190. Includes lunch and course material. Enroll in section 112VIT202.

To request more information or to enroll, call (800) 752-0881 or visit our website: www.extension.ucdavis.edu/winemaking