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This is the course catalog for the current academic year. When you have finished click the BACK button on your browser or the Return to CLASS-Web link at the bottom of the page |
| Viticulture and Winery Tech |
| VWT 2 | Wines of Europe | 3.00 Units | ||
| A survey of the wines of Europe, including France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Eastern Europe. Sensory evaluation of representative wines. Students under the age of 21 must have a declared major of either viticulture and/or enology to participate in any tasting activities as stated in the California State Assembly Bill 1989. | ||||
| College: Las Positas College | ||||
| Division: STEM | ||||
| VWT 10 | Introduction to Viticulture | 3.00 Units | ||
| This is an introduction to general viticulture covering the fundamental principles of the biology and culture of the grapevine. This includes taxonomy, morphology, physiology, distribution, domestication, utilization, propagation, production systems, harvesting, and storage and processing of grapes, with a brief overview of wine making. The class explores climate and soil preferences of Vitus vinifera, vineyard establishment, and training young vines. Cultural practice lectures will focus on canopy management disciplines, irrigation strategies, fertilization, pest and disease control, cover cropping and pruning. There will be practical experience workshops in the Campus Hill Vineyard. Successful completion of course should prepare students for upper division courses in viticulture. Students under the age of 21 must have a declared major of either viticulture and/or enology to participate in any tasting activities as stated in the California State Assembly Bill 1989. | ||||
| College: Las Positas College | ||||
| Division: STEM | ||||
| VWT 20 | Introduction to Enology | 3.00 Units | ||
| An introduction to the history and science of winemaking, including grape maturation, harvesting, fermentation, wine development, blending, filtration and preparation for bottling. Students learn the winemaking options available to create different wine styles. Students under the age of 21 must have a declared major of either viticulture and/or enology to participate in any tasting activities as stated in the California State Assembly Bill 1989. | ||||
| College: Las Positas College | ||||
| Division: STEM | ||||
| VWT 23 | Fundamentals of Wine Science | 3.00 Units | ||
| This course covers the chemistry and microbiology of winemaking including the use of yeasts and enzymes, primary and secondary fermentation management, wine micro-organisms, phenolic compounds, color chemistry, aging and flavor development. There will be a focus on wine faults: the causes and corrections. Students under the age of 21 must have a declared major of either viticulture and/or enology to participate in any tasting activities as stated in the California State Assembly Bill 1989. | ||||
| College: Las Positas College | ||||
| Division: STEM | ||||
| VWT 25 | Sensory Analysis of Wines | 3.00 Units | ||
| This is a sensory analysis of wine course designed for individuals to learn organoleptic tasting techniques, characteristics and styles of wine varieties, wine sensory evaluation methods including statistical analysis of trials, philosophy of wine styles, and the common evaluation methods used in sensory testing. Students under the age of 21 must have a declared major of either viticulture and/or enology to participate in any tasting activities as stated in the California State Assembly Bill 1989. | ||||
| College: Las Positas College | ||||
| Division: STEM | ||||
| VWT 31 | Fall Vineyard Operations | 3.00 Units | ||
| This class has a strong emphasis on the practical applications of viticulture. Students will be involved in the operation of the LPC Campus Hill Vineyard putting into action, viticultural practices for the fall and winter seasons including canopy management techniques, irrigation disciplines, pest and disease control, fruit contracts, maturity sampling, harvesting, pruning, erosion control via cover crop, fertilization, weed control, and vineyard development and establishment with a focus on sustainable vineyard management. Students under the age of 21 must have a declared major of either viticulture and/or enology to participate in any tasting activities as stated in the California State Assembly Bill 1989. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory Recommended Course Preparation: VWT 10 with a minimum grade of C | ||||
| College: Las Positas College | ||||
| Division: STEM | ||||
| VWT 32 | Spring Vineyard Operations | 3.00 Units | ||
| This class has a strong emphasis on the practical applications of viticulture. Students will be involved in the operation of the LPC Campus Hill Vineyard putting into action viticultural practices for the spring season including pruning, canopy management techniques, new vine planting and training, vine nutrition, weed control, irrigation system construction and maintenance, trellis construction and maintenance, vineyard equipment operation and maintenance, with a continued focus on sustainable vineyard management. Students under the age of 21 must have a declared major in either viticulture and/or enology to participate in any tasting activities as stated in the California State Assembly Bill 1989. Strongly Recommended: VWT 10 with a minimum grade of C | ||||
| College: Las Positas College | ||||
| Division: STEM | ||||
| VWT 33 | Summer Viticulture Operations | 1.00 Unit | ||
| This course covers vineyard practices for the summer session. The class will manage the Las Positas College Campus Hill vineyard, with an emphasis on the practical applications of viticulture theory including vine training, canopy management, assessment of insect and disease problems specific to the appellation, irrigation applications relating to soil and leaf moisture and crop estimation. Recommended Course Preparation: VWT 10 with a minimum grade of C | ||||
| College: Las Positas College | ||||
| Division: STEM | ||||
| VWT 35 | Landscape/Vineyard Pest Mgt. | 3.00 Units | ||
| This course covers concepts of plant pathology, entomology, and weed science which are studied in order to identify symptoms, diagnose problems, and determine methods of controlling plant diseases, insects, and weed pests. Also included is the study of the identification and biology of common vineyard, landscape and other horticultural crop pests and diseases. Materials and instruction is provided for techniques and strategies for insects, weeds and diseases, including bio-control, sustainable agriculture practices and integrated pest management. In addition to pesticide use, safety and compliance, there is a focus on preparation for the California State Qualified Applicators license. Students that take VWT 35 may not receive credit for HORT 53. | ||||
| College: Las Positas College | ||||
| Division: STEM | ||||
| VWT 47 | Wine of California | 3.00 Units | ||
| Introduction to wines produced in California by region, including history, viticultural practices and winemaking styles. There is a strong emphasis on the sensory evaluation of representative California wines. There is a materials fee associated with this class. Students under the age of 21 must have a declared major of viticulture and/or enology to participate in any tasting activities as stated in the California State Assembly Bill 1989. | ||||
| College: Las Positas College | ||||
| Division: STEM | ||||
| VWT 55 | Wine Service and Sales | 2.00 Units | ||
| This course will provide students with the information, skills, and abilities to provide high-quality wine service in restaurants, tasting rooms, wine bars, and/or catering events. Instruction will include both the technical and social skills necessary to maximize the guest experience and to be a successful wine sales/service professional. Students under the age of 21 must have a declared major of either viticulture and/or enology to participate in any tasting activities as stated in the California State Assembly Bill 1989. | ||||
| College: Las Positas College | ||||
| Division: STEM | ||||
Last Updated 05/08/2026 21:07