Wine Course Helps Build Arkansas Work Force

FORT SMITH -- An introductory winemaking class at Chaffee Crossing in Fort Smith is part of a new course expansion for Arkansas Tech University-Ozark that aims to build a work force for Arkansas' wine country and encourage knowledge of native varietals.

Introduction to enology classes will begin Jan. 12 with registration open until Jan. 16. It is part of the university's viticulture and enology science and technology alliance (VESTA) program. The introductory course is intended for the "entrepreneur exploring business opportunities in the grape wine industry, and/or the prospective small winery employee interested in career development."

With its proximity to vineyards in western Arkansas, ATU-Ozark has become a specialist over the past four years in winemaking, especially with native grape species and hybrids created by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Veronica Post, mayor of Altus and VESTA state coordinator for ATU-Ozark, said the program is more than just to educate future winemakers.

"As the grape and wine businesses continue to grow in Arkansas, it expands the tourism related to these businesses, which in turn adds to the tax base for our state," Post wrote in an email. "Helping these industries to grow through our education programs is what we are here for ... beyond our Ozark Campus."

Andy Allen, chairman of viticulture and enology program since 2012, will be the instructor of the introductory course at Chaffee Crossing; 12211 Ward Drive, 5:30-8:20 p.m. Thursdays, from Jan. 12 to May 5. Questions can be directed to Allen at (479) 508-3364, or [email protected].

Kathleen Vire, a Tech-Ozark VESTA student, was one of the first interns turned out from the program created in 2010. In addition to interning at Chateau Aux Arc in Altus, Vire has been moonlighting with OkeOzark Winery at Kansas, Okla.

"I know of at least two winery jobs in the area," Vire said. "Businesses are looking for winemakers and would like to employ winemakers coming out of this program. They need people with a foundation of understanding what goes on in the winery, how the winery operates."

Audrey House, who founded Chataux Aux Arc, helped build the curriculum for the course. She said she feels the program also inspires passion in people. The winery at Altus bottled nine new varietals for its Winemakers Select series this fall, including a hearty cynthiana and, Dragon Fly, a blend of cab sauvignon, merlot and syrah.

"The West Cost thinks all we know how to make is sweet wines," Vire said. "We're showing we do know how to make a dry wine here."

Home winemakers who have not taken any formal training on the subject may also benefit from this basic course. Students make wine at home from a kit, track fermentation, take chemical measurements and provide one bottle of finished wine to the instructor for evaluation at the end of the course.

"Students completing the technical certificate will be prepared for entry to mid-level positions in the wine making industry," the site states. "The Altus vineyards and wineries, due to their proximity to the Ozark Campus, provide employment and internship opportunities, entrepreneurial support, as well as professional growth opportunities for those currently employed."

Enrollment process guidance is available in the Office of Student Services located in the Student Services Conference Center at 1700 Helberg Lane in Ozark.