At left is Robert Wample, chair of the Viticulture and Enology Department, with Fred T. Franzia of the Bronco Wine Company.

Bronco Wine Company establishes chair in viticulture program
Bronco Wine Company, owned by Fred T., Joseph S. and John Franzia Jr. and ranked the fourth largest winery by Wine Business Monthly, has agreed to provide support for a chair within the Department of Viticulture and Enology in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at California State University, Fresno.

The 10-year pledge establishes the Bronco Wine Company Chair of Viticulture and provides a faculty position for undergraduate and graduate instruction and research with emphasis in vineyard mechanization and application of precision management practices for vineyards in the San Joaquin Valley. The Bronco Wine Company Chair of Viticulture will work closely with wine and grape growers to continue improvement of efficiencies and quality in the vineyards of the San Joaquin Valley.

“Bronco Wine Company’s decision to support a chair in the Department of Viticulture and Enology is another example of its incredible generosity and commitment to making a difference in the future of the wine and grape industry through research and education,” said Fresno State President John Welty. “The Franzia family’s support will help to advance our viticulture program and is greatly appreciated.”

Bronco Wine Company produces wines under the Forest Glen, Coastal Ridge, ForestVille, Crane Lake, Estrella, Charles Shaw, Montpellier, Fox Brook, Silver Ridge, Rutherford Vintners, Hacienda, Napa Creek and Napa Ridge brands, among others.  Bronco controls in excess of 30,000 acres of California vineyards, processed approximately 350,000 tons of grapes during the 2005 season and will bottle over 20 million cases of wine. The Franzia family has grown grapes and produced wines in California for more than 100 years.

Fresno State offers undergraduate degrees in viticulture or enology, a master's degree in viticulture and enology and a Certificate of Special Study in Enology.

The viticulture laboratory consists of 150 acres of vineyards with about 50 percent in table grapes, five percent in table/raisin (Thompson seedless) and the balance in wine grapes the majority of which is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera, French Columbard, Zinfandel and Ruby Cabernet.  Two blocks are full of a wide range of cultivars (approximately 200), primarily wine grapes, but they also include hybrids, rootstocks and old table grapes that are used for teaching.

Fresno State is the first university in the United States with a license to produce and sell wine commercially from its own winery. Under the direction of the university’s winemaster and winemaker, the students produce numerous varieties of wine from the vineyards growing on the campus and other areas in the San Joaquin Valley. The program has won more than 120 medals for its wine at various prestigious competitions such as the California State Fair, New World International, Los Angeles County Fair, Orange County Fair, Long Beach Grand Cru, San Francisco International and the West Coast Wine Competition.

The program’s annual major event is the Winemaster’s Weekend at the Tenaya Lodge near Yosemite National Park, scheduled this year for March 3-4.