Presented in partnership by Yakima Valley College and Winegrowers, the Winery Cellar Leadership Program (WCLP) is an industry educational program offering. The WCLP is intended for existing or prospective cellar leads who wish to further their career in the industry, already have experience, and are currently working at a winery. Through two different course levels, the WCLP with will focus on the cellar aspects of winemaking from the receipt of grapes until wine is in the bottle; leadership in a cellar environment; winery-specific math conversions and formulas; and basic computer skills.
The purpose of the WCLP is to provide access for the greater wine industry and students interested in viticulture and wine-related careers to a certified educational and professional development program. Those students that complete the program will be better trained to take leadership positions within the winery cellar team. The WCLP fulfills an industry-informed need: skilled and leadership-ready labor in the cellar.
Questions about registration? Email info@wawinegrowers.org
Questions about the program? Contact Professor Trent Ball at 509.882.7007.
2024 Program Information
Level II - Barrel to Bottle
Course Description:
In partnership with the Washington Winegrowers Association, Yakima Valley College is serving industry needs with new training for individuals in cellar production who wish to build on their skills from taking Level I and enhance their skills in leadership, communication (public speaking, negotiation, netiquette), scheduling, winery related math conversions, and computer skills.
This course level is intended for existing cellar leads who have completed Level I—Crush to Barrel—and are currently working at a winery. The course will be taught in English. Regular attendance is required. Students (and their employers) must be committed to employee’s attendance.
Date: Every Tuesday or Wednesday April 9 - May 28
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Yakima Valley College, Grandview Campus, WA
During this course, the student will:
- Review, evaluate, and identify good leadership skills
- Discuss and develop skills in successful communication (public speaking, negotiation, netiquette)
- Develop skills in team, shift, and cellar task scheduling
- Explain winery related math conversions
- Practice computer skills
- Describe barrel aging activities and processes
- Review steps and procedures to prepare wines for bottling
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
- Describe the winemaking process, activities and procedures from barreling to the bottling line.
- Demonstrate the ability to evaluate, integrate, and apply appropriate information from various sources to create cohesive, persuasive leadership arguments, and to propose new priorities and negotiation concepts.
- Evaluate problem-solving strategies, and apply leadership-based solutions.
- Plan ways to model winery cellar safety and cellar best practices.
- Formulate preventative measures aimed at conflict management.
- Communicate effectively in a professional environment through technical reports and presentations
Presented in partnership by Washington Winegrowers Association and Yakima Valley College
Level I - Crush to Barrel (not offered in 2024)
Course Description:
This course level is intended for existing or prospective cellar leads who wish to further their career in the industry, already have experience, and are currently working at a winery. The course will be taught in English. Regular attendance is required. This course is serving industry needs with new training for individuals in cellar production and winery operations to enhance their skills in leadership, communication (public speaking, negotiation, netiquette), scheduling, winery related math conversions, and computer skills.