Tasting Room Management at Sonoma State University's Wine Business Institute

Sonoma State University's Wine Business Institute is launching its spring series of classes in the Tasting Room Management Program.

Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute is launching its spring series of classes in the Tasting Room Management Program. Developed for wine industry professionals who wish to take their tasting rooms to greater levels of success, participants who complete the program’s requirements earn a career certificate in wine business.

“The classes are taught by wine experts who bring the best industry practices to our classrooms on the university campus,” noted Ray Johnson, director of the Wine Business Institute.

Candidates for the Tasting Room Management Certificate are required to complete three core courses and five electives. The program can be completed in one semester or at the participant’s own pace.

The three topics covered by the core curriculum this semester are Building a Profitable Wine Club, Introduction to Tasting Room Management (both on March 18) and State Compliance for Direct Shipping (April 1).

The following electives are also offered this semester:

· Managing the Performance of Tasting Room Employees: March 25

· The DNA of Consumer Experience: March 25

· Building & Maintaining an Effective Wine Records System: April 1

· Federal Wine Compliance: April 8

· Innovative Wine Marketing & Brand Momentum: April 15

· Traditional vs. Social Media: April 15

· Introduction to IRI/Neilson Scan Data: May 13

· Selling Through the Tasting Room: May 20

The professional development courses are open to the public and may be taken individually. There are no prerequisites and industry experience is not required. The fee for each class is $150 and all are offered on the Sonoma State University campus in Rohnert Park.