A cohort of grape growers and winemakers from the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China will visit the Central Valley starting today (Dec. 15) to begin collaborating with Fresno State viticulture and enology faculty as part of the Lyles Global Innovation Academy.

The academy, hosted by the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, specializes in workshops, training and professional development focused on innovation and entrepreneurship for constituents around the world.

The Chinese delegation will visit for three days to attend the International Wine Industry Workshop and examine the American wine industry, discuss grape cultivation and wine production and evaluate winery tourism. The cohort will also tour various Valley wineries.

In 1997, Fresno State became the first American university to operate a commercially bonded, on-campus winery.

“California produces 90 percent of all wine made in the United States,” said Dr. Timothy Stearns, executive director of the Lyles Center. “As Fresno State is the only university in the country to feature a commercial winery, this collaboration makes perfect sense on multiple levels. We are excited by the possibilities of this program and this cohort.”

For more information, contact Stearns at 559.278.3735 or timothys@csufresno.edu.

Related links: