June 20, 2008

Students and faculty from Fresno State’s Viticulture and Enology Department will depart Fresno today to participate in an international grape and wine summer university program in Switzerland. They say their European journey will provide a unique opportunity to share experiences and expertise with students from other winemaking regions throughout the world.

“Attending school in another country will present new perspectives on the broad spectrum of the wine industry, including viticultural practices, making wine, wine marketing, sensory evaluation and research,” said Lauren Thorpe of Houston, who is in her third year of Fresno’s program. “The beauty of approaching a shared interest and livelihood from a new angle is returning home with applicable knowledge.”

Fresno State’s international reputation was the reason EIC officials initially contacted Fresno State's Dr. Robert Wample to pursue a university partnership. Wample, who will accompany Fresno State’s students for the first two weeks of the program, is director of the Viticulture and Enology Research Center and chair of the Viticulture and Enology Department.

Hosted by the Engineering School of Enology at Changins (EIC) in Lausanne, Switzerland, this international summer university program represents a partnership between Switzerland’s Engineering School of Enology at Changins (EIC), two American universities within the California State University system–Fresno and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo–and Brock University in Ontario, Canada.

The EIC is part of the larger Universities of Applied Sciences of Western Switzerland (HES) and is located near Lake Geneva, shares a distinction with Fresno State. It is the only enology school in the HES system, and it offers both educational and research programs. Fresno State is the first, and may still be the only university in the nation, with a commercial bond to bottle and market its student-produced wines.

This similarity also encouraged Swiss program officials to seek out Fresno State.

“During the four-week course, students and faculty from North America and Europe will have an excellent opportunity to come together and learn from one another,” said Wample.

Faculty and students from these universities, as well as from the University of Piacenza (Italy), will participate in this year’s inaugural “summer university,” organized and hosted by the EIC with headquarters on the Changins campus in Lausanne.

On June 25, Wample will give an oral presentation on California viticulture.

Ken Fugelsang, Fresno State winemaster and professor of enology, will join the group in Switzerland later and will discuss Brettanomyces and alcohol management in wine on July 14.

In addition to Worth, other Fresno State students selected earlier this year after a rigorous application and interview process conducted by universities are:

• Kristine Austin of Fresno

• Joe Castaneda, Jr. of Lodi

• Nick Finarelli III or Alamogordo, NM

• John Harley and Kaleb Vanderham of Visalia

• Kathe Kaigas and Mark Kaigas of San Diego

• Jorge Ramirez Perez of St. Helena

• Dan Rotlisberger of Healdsburg

• Alex Stewart of Seattle, WA

• Jeremiah Timm of Sauk City/Prairie du Sac, WI

• Lauren Thorpe of Houston, TX

The four-week program will include classroom instruction, hands-on activities and visits to grape growing regions in Switzerland, France and Italy. Faculty from the participating universities will lead presentations, discussions and activities on a wide range of viticulture and enology topics.

Representatives from each of the universities are reviewing plans to establish an annual summer school program for viticulture and enology students beginning in 2008 and running through 2011, with a plan to alternate the location and organizational responsibilities. Students from each partnering university would be eligible to apply.

According to Krista Fast, study abroad coordinator, the EIC is taking a leading role in creating and enhancing partnerships with international universities by providing training opportunities for students.

“Our goal is to bring together viticulture and enology students from the world over to share winemaking and viticulture techniques specific to their home regions,” said Fast.

Switzerland is geographically located in the heart of Europe, where winemaking culture is ancient and highly varied from "New World" styles.

Fresno State student Jorge Ramirez Perez said the exposure to different cultures and winemaking techniques is something he looks forward to experiencing.

Wample said that the 12 students who were selected to participate will be outstanding representatives of the department, Fresno State and North America.

“Our students are not only prepared to contribute to the program, they are also willing and excited about learning new concepts and ideas. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will certainly enhance their futures in the grape and wine industry,” he said.

As part of the summer program, students from each of the universities are required to give a group presentation on their homeland’s grape growing region and winemaking styles. Fresno State’s students also will present wines from California’s Central Valley, including some of Fresno State’s own award-winning wines.

In 2000, Fresno State was the first university in the CSU system to combine its research and educational programs in viticulture and enology. The student-operated winery’s vintages have won more than 200 awards since its bonding 11 years ago.

Plans to collaborate on joint programs, research projects and faculty exchanges also are under discussion by university officials.

Individuals can follow the students and faculty during this four-week course by visiting the students' blog at www.bulldogtravel.blogspot.com. Students have been encouraged to describe what they are learning and experiencing on their travel abroad from June 21–July 18.