Wine sales started to support S.O.W.I. programs
Southern Oregon Wine Institute began selling its wine for the first time to faculty and staff of UCC two weeks ago on Oct. 25 and 26, and on Friday Nov. 1 they began selling their wine to students and the general public.
The wines range in price from $11 for the 2011 Riverhawk Rosé up to $18 for the 2011 Viognier. Both red and white wines are available, and the income from the wine sales will be used to offset the cost of wine production, including the purchasing and maintenance of grapes, bottles, labels and machinery.
The SOWI program opened in 2008, producing its first wine in 2009. The first class of SOWI graduated in 2010.
Two of the wines made in 2009 are available for purchasing along with later wines made by students in the program.
SOWI offers several degree and certification programs, but because the production of wine involves tasting the product, students must be 18 or older to enroll in most programs. However, students under 18 can still get a viticulture certificate; the process of joining the program is the same as any other major.
Students taking the Viticulture and Enology degree program will spend their first year learning the proper techniques to grow and maintain grapes on SOWI’s newly constructed vineyard, which will produce its first crop fall 2014, according to SOWI Program Director Chris Lake. Students’ second year will focus on wine production.
The wine students produce is made with the intent to sell, giving the students a more accurate portrayal of how any future businesses they work for or start will operate, though SOWI does reserve some of its wine for UCC events.
SOWI will host wine tasting and sales from 12 to 6 p.m. on Fridays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, every week, or by appointment, for the foreseeable future, not including winter vacation. Wine tasting costs $5 to sample any five out of the eight wines available.
Students who are interested in joining the SOWI program, or who would like to schedule an appointment to taste or buy wines, can contact Allison Priestley, SOWI Program Coordinator, at (541)440-4629 or Allison.Priestley@umpqua.edu.