News & Events


Wine Business Management Certificate Program

winebusiness.jpgIn response to wine industry demand, Sonoma State is creating online wine classes focusing on the business of wine. "Throughout the United States and abroad, members of the industry have persistently requested access to our classes from a distance. These new programs will satisfy that demand across a broad series of wine business topics," said Wine Business Institute Director, Ray Johnson.
The first new offering, exclusively online, is the Wine Business Management Certificate. The Certificate Program was created for professionals already in the industry who want to advance their knowledge of wine business operations, winemakers or viticulturists wanting to expand their understanding of business strategies and principles, and professionals in other industries seeking to enter the wine industry.  The series consists of a Foundation level, along with Intermediate and Advanced levels, with optional certification at the completion of the Advanced level. 
The next cohort for the Foundation level is forming for spring. The four-week course is presented through video lectures, course conference calls, and a unique WineBizSim business planning project, allowing the students experience in building a financial model for a wine business.
Tim Hanni MW teaches the Foundation and Intermediate Levels in the new Certificate Program. Hanni MW, one of the first two Americans to earn the title Master of Wine, is an internationally recognized wine educator Hanni and sits on the Board of Directors for the Institute of Masters of Wine. He is an innovative researcher and wine educator whose wine and food principles have been adopted by the Wine & Spirits Education Trust in London.
The Intermediate level will also be offered in spring.  The advanced level will feature elective courses, offered in the summer of 2012, in Production and Quality in the Wine Supply Chain, Strategic Wine Marketing and Global Wine E-commerce.  For those seeking admission to Sonoma State University's accredited MBA in Wine Business, completing the Advanced Level of the Wine Business Management Certificate (including passing the exams) waives the wine experience admission requirement. This will enable professionals in other fields to access to the Wine MBA program more readily.  For more information go to our website.


Update: Sonoma State American Language Institute

ssalihaystack.jpgThe Sonoma State American Language Institute is in full swing for the fall 2011 semester. There are 46 students from 15 countries speaking 10 languages.

The students took an all-school field trip to San Francisco in early October where they enjoyed shopping, Chinatown, Pier 39 and walking on the Golden Gate Bridge. Recently they picnicked at the Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze in Petaluma before visiting the Petaluma Museum's Dia de los Muertos exhibit. This trip was a culmination of a unit in their multicultural class in which they studied the culture of Hispanic Americans. SSALI students will be participating in International Education Week in November by showcasing the SSALI program for the campus.

SSALI continues to be a vital part of the School of Extended Education and Sonoma State University.


Update: EXCEL for Youth Program

excel2011c.jpgEXCEL for Youth celebrated it's 29th year this summer. Fifty accelerated classes in science, technology, visual art, drama, and writing for students entering 4-9th grades were held on the campus of Sonoma State University from June 27 to July 29. The one to two week classes used the school's specialized arts, science and technology labs, and integrated many guest speakers and field trips. Courses included Pre-Med for Kids,  3-D Animation and Modeling, Crime Scene Investigation, Robotomania, Industrial Scrap Magic, Time Warp Travelers, Crash and Burn Chemistry and many, many more.