Program Overview
Learn the science and skills needed to produce award-winning wine in professional facilities. Cultivate grapes, make wine, and practice using commercial wine technology and field equipment. Applied learning and field experience courses show you how to produce high-quality wine, while classes in biology and chemistry explain the concepts at work.
By the end of the program, you'll develop a vineyard management plan that tests your knowledge of the wine industry — from regional climate considerations and quality control to business financing and more.
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Career Outlook
Wine tourism is a major economic driver in upstate New York. The Finger Lakes is home to over 140 wineries, creating job opportunities in vineyard operations, winemaking, sales, and management. With many community partners in the region, FLCC is well-positioned to train the next generation of wine growers and producers.
Some career pathways in the wine industry include:
- Cellar Procedures
- Equipment Operation
- Vineyard Management
- Wine Sales
- Winemaking
- Winery Operations
Curious about career pathways in this field? Check out Career Coach to learn more about industry job growth, education requirements, earning potential, and more.
Smooth Transfer to a Four-Year College
If you're considering a bachelor’s degree after FLCC, our academic advisors will help you connect with four-year schools and explore transfer options. We'll assist you in selecting courses that efficiently meet the requirements for both FLCC and your future college.
- Joint Admissions Agreements: These allow first-year students to gain admission to both FLCC and participating four-year schools at the same time. Gain peace of mind knowing your next step is set while you complete your associate degree with us.
- Transfer Articulation Agreements: These partnerships ensure your credits from FLCC will transfer directly and seamlessly to a partner four-year school. You can enter a bachelor’s program with full junior standing, saving you time and money.
Where Our Students Transfer
Many students in our Viticulture and Wine Technology program go on to complete a four-year degree at colleges such as:
- Cornell University
- Oregon State University
- Washington State University
- UC Davis
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Network with Industry Experts
Meet business leaders working at some of the 140+ wineries in the region. Acquire real-world knowledge of planting, pruning, harvesting, fermenting, bottling, and more through field trips and guest speakers. Take advantage of our internship opportunities and gain work experience with one of our many local partners.
Learn about the regional wine industry by visiting Finger Lakes wine businesses, including:
- Anthony Road Wine Company
- Bully Hill Vineyards
- Cornell AgriTech
- Finger Lakes Grape Program
- Hillick and Hobbs Estate
- Lakewood Vineyards
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Sample Courses
Visit our academic catalog for a complete listing of program requirements, including prerequisites, general education requirements, electives, and a sample schedule.
Sample core courses you'll take in this program include:
- AGR 100 - Soil Science
- BIO 121 - General Biology I
- BIO 251 - Plant Structure and Function
- VIT 101 - Fall Viticultural Practices
- VIT 102 - Wine of Europe
- VIT 103 - Wines of the World
- VIT 105 - Spring Viticultural Practices
- VIT 110 - Summer Vineyard Technology Practicum
- VIT 115 - Intro to Enology Lab Tech
- VIT 200 - Vineyard Management
- VIT 205 - Fall Wine Technology Practicum
- VIT 210 - Enology I
- VIT 215 - Enology II
Prepare to Transfer with 2 Specialized Tracks
Fine-tune your coursework by completing one of our two optional, transfer-ready tracks in enology or viticulture. These specialized tracks include a series of courses that prepare you for the upper-level coursework required at a four-year school, such as Cornell University.
Focus on the science of winemaking with an emphasis on chemistry.
Prepare for a future in wine science with advanced courses in biology, chemistry, and math. Enologists apply scientific knowledge of winemaking to enhance the quality and consistency of the product, such as monitoring sugar and acid levels in grapes to identify peak flavor and leading the refinement process.
With an advanced degree in enology, you'll be prepared for employment opportunities in wine science, including:
- Cellar Manager
- Enologist
- Production Specialist
- Wine Lab Technician
- Wine Studies Instructor
- Winemaker
Focus on the science of grape growing with an emphasis on biology.
Prepare for a future in grape cultivation with advanced courses in biology, chemistry, and vineyard management. Viticulturists play an important role in wine production by ensuring that vineyards maximize yield and flavor. This specialization involves in-depth knowledge of regional growing conditions and harvesting techniques.
With an advanced degree in viticulture, you'll be prepared for employment opportunities in vineyard operations, including:
- Grape Production Manager
- Grower Relations
- Vineyard Manager
- Viticulturist
- Wine Technology Specialist
Professional Winemaking Facilities
As a viticulture student, you'll take most or all of your classes at the Viticulture and Wine Center in Geneva, NY. This professional facility features a teaching winery, vineyard, enology lab, aging rooms, crush pad, and classroom.
Work with the same wine technology and equipment you'll find at local wineries throughout the Finger Lakes region.
Start Your TourPrepare for the New York State Wine Industry with FLCC
FLCC is meeting the demands of New York's growing wine tourism industry.
Our courses combine the science of winemaking with hands-on experiences in professional winemaking facilities.
Watch this video to learn more about our program's innovative approach to training students for their future careers.
Watch NowProduce Award-Winning Wine with FLCC
Each year, our students compete with some of the best winemakers in the state and earn recognition at the New York Wine Classic Competition. These awards are the direct result of the hard work and passion that our students and instructors bring to the program.
Low-Cost Tuition and Scholarship Opportunities
Earn a quality education at an affordable rate. With our low cost per credit and general scholarship opportunities, you can maximize your potential with minimal debt. Our financial aid counselors will guide you through the process and help you understand college costs.
$5,376
per year for in-state tuition ($224 per credit hour).
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76%
of students are eligible for financial aid or scholarships.
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$18M
in financial aid was disbursed to our students last year.
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