School of Wine

The wine industry is big business, and as such there are many collegiate programs serving to prepare people for every facet of the industry. Those looking to make the wines themselves take enology classes, often at colleges and universities with professional winemaking equipment, their own vineyards, and even operating wineries that sell the student-made wine. Beyond discussions with their professors, one may question how students gain feedback on these wines they have a hand in making. Like most home winemakers, one option is through competition. Which leads to a question of equity. Is it fair to compare these wines made in state-of-the-art college wineries with assistance from professors side-by-side with amateurs making 5-gallon (19-L) batches in their garage? Or against commercial makers with more experience under their belts? This was part of the thinking that led to the creation of the West Coast College & University Wine Festival presented by Allan Hancock College.

Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California, began its Viticulture and Enology Program in 1987. Since then, the program has planted and farmed a 4-acre vineyard and built a bonded winery in 2014. The following year the college released the first vintage of wine made by students using grapes from its own vineyard. Student-made wines are a class endeavor, not an individual project at Allan Hancock. In 2018, the college’s wines were entered into and won awards at the Orange County Fair. Since that experience, the school began discussions of hosting a wine competition for collegiate participants only, which became a reality in 2023. 

The competition allows the colleges and universities to showcase their wines and winemaking programs, while also competing against each other. Following the judging, a public tasting is held. The ticketed event charged a nominal fee to help cover expenses, and a few commercial wineries in the area also poured alongside the collegiate booths. At the collegiate tables students and faculty (more faculty than students as the event was held in the middle of June, after many students finished classes and headed home) served their school’s wines and marketed them. They also shared information about their respective programs. It was inspiriting to hear some have already lined up jobs with commercial wineries upon completion of the programs, such as Tiburcio Perez who graduated from the program and took time off from his local winemaking job to help judge this competition. 

Allan Hancock has invited all of the colleges and universities with winemaking programs in California to compete in the competition, as well as some from neighboring states. A goal for this competition is to continue to grow with participating schools around the U.S.

Helping put on the competition were members of the Central Coast Home Vintners Association (CCHVA). When this competition was introduced in 2023, John Larson of CCHVA had already been judging and helping organize numerous competitions throughout California and helped coordination efforts, while also pulling in other members of CCHVA to help with organization, coordination, and judging. Members were quick to help as many have sourced grapes from the Allan Hancock student vineyard over the years. While not a member of CCHVA, I was also honored to be invited to judge this year’s competition.

So, who won, you ask? Allan Hancock’s Syrah was the highest awarded red wine, while their Torrontés Riojana won Best of Show among the 25 wines entered by seven colleges and universities this year.