GEYSERVILLE, Calif. — The Family Coppola, including Francis Ford Coppola Winery and Virginia Dare Winery, join together with Sonoma County Vintners and Santa Rosa Junior College to offer a new entry-level, practical training course for students who wish to enter the Sonoma County wine industry this harvest season. The three-day experiential program includes combined classroom and practical learning to provide a unique wine industry introduction.
“It’s important we work together as a community to create innovative ideas that encourage more interest in careers in the wine industry,” says Corey Beck, The Family Coppola CEO and Winemaking Chief. “This innovative program is a win-win for students and for wineries. Students go beyond the classroom for a behind-the-scenes look into an operating winery and the chance to build relationships with its experts who are actively recruiting for current or future positions.”
Mornings will be spent in the classroom with Santa Rosa Junior College faculty and industry expert, Pat Henderson, addressing a variety of critical topics for winery operations, cellar work and beyond. Participants will roll up their sleeves each afternoon for wine facility tours and hands-on training with industry professionals. Educational topics include an overview of wine (crush, fermentation and cellar practices), winery safety and cellar maintenance and management, among other aspects. Francis Ford Coppola’s Virginia Dare Winery is the first to host students as part of this effort. Francis Ford Coppola Winery will also participate in the program and there’s an opportunity for more winery involvement in the future.
“We’ve heard the Sonoma County wine community’s concerns regarding the limited number of skilled applicants for crucial roles in production,” said Michael Haney, Sonoma County Vintners Executive Director. “This program is just the first step towards providing solutions for this critical issue within our community. We are proud to partner with the SRJC and The Family Coppola on this important new training program to begin to bridge the gap in staffing needs.”
Visit Santa Rosa Junior College online to learn more.
–The Family Coppola
Sonoma County Vintners
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