Viticulture for Winemakers

Online

All winemakers and winery owners know that great winemaking begins in the vineyard. This course is designed for winemakers to review how basic viticulture relates to wine production and wine quality. Learn the science behind how wine grapes are grown and study the biological, environmental and managerial factors that influence fruit quality. During the course, you will develop a hypothetical vineyard to meet specific winemaking objectives. Course topics include the importance of quality plant material, soils and cover crops, grapevine diseases and pests, vineyard development and vine nutrition. By the end of the course, you will have an understanding of growing season influences and practices, vineyard design and economic analysis.

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand basic botany and vine physiology and how it relates to fruit production, winemaking and wine quality
  • Recognize the seasonal vine growing cycle and environmental and management factors that influence grape quality
  • Compare management practices and their impact on vineyards and fruit quality while incorporating economic input

Skills You Will Gain

  • Wine grape botany and physiology
  • Irrigation concepts and goals
  • Vineyard design
Academic Units
3.5
Section Number
261WMC257
Instruction Method
Online class

Section Notes

Access to your course in Canvas will be available 7 days before the course start date. Please note that course start and end dates, as well as live sessions (if applicable), are subject to change.

Enrollment Policies

Drop requests (withdraw with a refund) will be approved, less a $30 processing fee, if the request is received before the refund deadline. Click here to view complete enrollment policy information including details on withdrawals and transfers.  
 
Refund Deadline: 7/13/2026. Refunds and/or enrollment transfers will not be approved after this date.   
 
Students enrolling after the first day of class are expected to reach out to their instructor to make sure they receive all content and are on track with the course. 

Prerequisites

College level Chemistry and an understanding of Wine Production.

Technical Requirements

To ensure your success in this course, please review our technical requirements page at online learning.

Discounts

CAAA Member Discount

Current members of the Cal Aggie Alumni Association (CAAA) and other UC alumni associations receive 10% off the course fee of one course per quarter, not to exceed $100. If you don't have your discount code, contact CAAA at alumni@ucdavis.edu to request it.