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COC Celebrates Ripening Of Wine Studies Program, Opportunities

Amid what college officials are calling a rising “global demand,” College of the Canyons is encouraging students to take part in the school’s new wine studies program, officials said Thursday.


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While the zinfandel grapes the school has planted are not yet producing, the program already has, according to officials and students.

Related: College Of The Canyons Plants Vineyard For Wine Studies Program

“It’s a program that’s really beneficial, my doors are definitely open,” said former COC student Victoria Waldorf, who since leaving the college has moved onto a career in the wine industry. “I’m in a paid position with commission, and now I’m getting hands-on experience about what I was learning in a book.”Photo courtesy of College of the Canyons website

The program’s instructors say there are numerous opportunities once they gain valuable experience in the Culinary Arts and Wine Studies program.

“A lot of people come into the program saying, ‘What can I do with this?’” said COC wine studies instructor DiMaggio Washington, who has trained upwards of 1,500 students at the college.

“But really there are a lot of opportunities, and we are doing our best to demonstrate how prevalent they are,” added Washington. “Overall, wine interest among Americans has quadrupled, and there are similar indications in China — where the new generation of Chinese have departed from the typical beer and spirits.”

While Waldorf has not yet graduated from the wine studies program with a degree, she credits her time at COC as being instrumental in helping her gain a leg up on the competition.

Waldorf, a mother of four, currently works at Beckman’s Winery in Santa Ynez.

“COC has some great exposure going for it in general,” Waldorf added. “For me, personally, I have people up here (Santa Ynez) asking me, ‘How do you know so much?’ And I tell them it has a lot to do with my time in Santa Clarita and at COC.”

Also trying to start her own wine business is former COC student Nancy Sallaberry, who recently moved to Texas with her husband to capitalize on the expanding industry.

“My business plan is to import boutique, California-style wines to the Texas market,” said Sallaberry.“Eventually, I plan to also serve these same wines in my tasting room along with a select list of Texas wines.”

Sallaberry has yet to complete her degree at COC, electing instead to seize professional opportunity the moment it presented itself.

While Waldorf and Sallaberry represent two of the wine studies program’s most recent student success stories, several of Washington’s students have gone on to earn certification and enjoy professional success in the industry — from catering management to employment at vineyards.

Already, the college’s wine studies program is locally recognized for its excellence, with local businesses often sending their employees to COC to become more proficient in their knowledge of wine.

“Partnership, partnership, we’re all about partnership,” said Cindy Schwanke, Department Chair of the college’s culinary arts and wine studies programs. “We train current and future employees, which in turn helps our community’s local restaurant owners and stimulates the economy by putting people to work.”

 


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COC Celebrates Ripening Of Wine Studies Program, Opportunities

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