Wine Production

Online

Along with a knowledge of wine and winemaking fundamentals, winemakers require an understanding of technical wine production. Through an online, interactive learning, environment, this course reviews and explains the principles and practices of producing standard types of wines, with particular emphasis on the methods of vinification and their effect on wine style. Other topics include in-depth discussion of the alcoholic and malolactic fermentations and their management, as well as harvest and processing decisions for various styles of wines and common post-fermentation operations. By the end of this course, students will gain an overview of many technical aspects of wine production with an emphasis on fermentation management and pre-fermentation processes, options and strategies, and explore how the many winemaking decisions affect the resulting wine’s style.

Learning Outcomes

  • Comprehend technical reasons behind common winery operations
  • Manage yeast and bacteria in wine production
  • Understand the microbiological basis for problems occurring in wine production
  • Develop plans for treating and correcting problems arising during processing

Skills You Will Gain

  • Harvest criteria and impact on wine style
  • Must and juice processing
  • Yeast and fermentation management
  • Malolactic bacteria and ML fermentation management
  • Post-fermentation cellar operations
Academic Units
4
Section Number
261WMC252
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

Introduction to Wine and Winemaking (3 units of academic credit) or possible substitution of winery work experience. This is the second course in the Winemaking Certificate Program and you must successfully complete (with a grade of "C" or better) the prerequisite in order to take this course.  Also successful completion of college level courses in chemistry is required and biology recommended.  

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.