The Wine Business Certificate provides students the opportunity to learn many aspects of the wine business from the history, geography, and environmental requirements to grow grapes, to the processes to make, bottle, and sell wine, to sensory evaluation techniques and communication about wine. Students will apply business principles from sales and marketing to effectively market and promote wine, along with learning management, accounting, computer applications, and hospitality and tourism factors that are important for successful wine businesses. This program prepares students to pursue a variety of possible wine industry jobs that range from tasting room sales representative, direct sales manager, and regional sales manager to wine advertising sales, public relations and marketing coordinator, and wine merchandiser.

Upon successful completion of this certificate program, the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the global to regional wine industry including how regional climates, soils, and landscapes are associated with growing grapes and producing wine.
• Understand how wine is made, evaluated through sensory analysis, and represented in marketing of the product.
• Be able to effectively communicate to the public about wine through advertising, public relations, social media, and online resources.
• Understand wine distribution methods and wine markets, pricing structures, and have operating knowledge of global retail wine sales.
• Construct a wine marketing plan, applying management and business principles to wine marketing.

In size and scope, the certificate is between a minor and a major. To be awarded the Wine Business Certificate, students must complete the course requirements listed below (54 credits, including prerequisites) and the SOU requirements for a BA or BS degree or the transfer equivalent. A majority of the credits must be taken at SOU. All courses taken for the certificate must be completed with a grade of C or better. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher in all certificate courses. This certificate program is open to undergraduates, graduates, and post-baccalaureate students.