See how alumni transformed their careers
From Passion to Procurement
“Pursuing the Winemaking Certificate Program has been a personal passion, but it’s also a valuable way to complement my experience and upskill in my current role. Building strong relationships with winemakers, both internally and externally, is a key part of what I do, and these studies have been a natural step in helping me contribute more meaningfully.”
Student Spotlight: Steve Shoemaker
"UC Davis is known for being the leader in fine winemaking in both Napa and Sonoma. So, I decided if I was going to learn, it was going to be from the best. The instructors are all very experienced winemakers, so asking a question is like talking to a person with an amazing wealth of knowledge, experience and theory"
Student Spotlight: Enrico de Alessandrini
"The program gives you the foundation to better understand what you’re looking for and how to use technologies to get better indicators, so you can be proactive as opposed to a reactive winemaker."
Purnima Sreenivasan
"I was a novice coming from medicine and technologies, and then there’s people who have been making wine for 10 to 15 years and everybody was ready to learn more. It inspires and empowers you."
Sanne Poulsen, Babich Wines, New Zealand
“I have already recommended the program to two friends who are also changing careers to the wine industry, like me, and have good practical skills but are a bit light on the technical background.”
Amy LaBelle, winemaker, LaBelle Winery Amherst, NH
“Going through the program and being able to ask questions of professors who run their own wineries gave me incredible comfort. I knew I had the basic knowledge to tackle any questions that might arise at the winery. I know how to handle anything that comes up.”