The non-credit Wine Making certificate provides a thorough understanding of the wine making process, grape growing, chemistry, winery equipment, mixology, and bottling, packaging and labeling of a final wine product.

Course materials are delivered via three formats:

• Video courses which students can watch at self-determined times
• Instructor led weekly Zoom discussions
• On-site winery visit: mandatory class meeting on a Saturday or full weekend at participating wineries (students must be 21 years of age to participate in the Wine Sensory tasking weekend)

Course Fee: The cost of each course is $750. The Wine Sensory Evaluation and Wine Chemistry courses will be assessed an additional $50 lab fee. Weekend activities, including any necessary travel/accommodations, are at the student’s expense.

Course Offerings

• Introduction to Wine Production
• Sensory Evaluation
• Harvest Winery Equipment
• Fermentation
• Wine Chemistry
• Fining, Filtration & Bottling
• Winery Regulations
• Winery Sanitation
• Juice and Wine Handling Equipment

Read descriptions and register for the Winemaking Certificate courses.

Spring I

Introduction to Wine Production

• Dates: January 4 - March 1, 2027
• Zoom class meetings will be held on Wednesdays from 7-8 p.m. on January 13, 20, 27, February 3, 10 and 17, 2027.
  REGISTER ONLINE IN INTRODUCTION TO WINE PRODUCTION
  

Sensory Evaluation

• Dates: January 4 - March 1, 2027
• Zoom class meetings will be held on Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. on January 12, 26, and February 9, 2027
• A mandatory on-campus seminar will be held February 19th (7-9 p.m.), 20th (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.), & 21st (9 a.m.-noon), 2026 at the Penn State Berks campus (Reading, PA). Students must attend all three days.
  REGISTER ONLINE IN SENSORY EVALUATION
  

Spring II

Fermentation (AG 5033)

• Dates: March 15 - May 7, 2027
• Zoom class meetings will be held on Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. on March 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2027
• Required Textbook: Wine Science: Principles and Applications (Food Science and Technology), 5th Edition by Ronald S. Jackson (Author). ISBN# 9780128161180
  REGISTER ONLINE IN FERMENTATION

Wine Juice and Handling Equipment (AG 5038)

• Dates: April 19 - May 9, 2027
• Plus, choose one on-site tour (students are welcome to attend both sessions):
  April 24, 2027 - Southeastern PA Winery Tour, or
  May 1, 2027 Northwestern PA Winery Tour
  REGISTER ONLINE IN WINE JUICE AND HANDLING EQUIPMENT

For more information, please contact Carleen Orlando or Erica Kunkel today!