Eleven students, led by Professors Janeen E. Olsen and Liz Thach, traveled with Sonoma State University Wine Business Program's first global wine class to Chile and Argentina recently to explore the growing wine industry of South America.
The class consisted of two weeks in Santiago and Talca, Chile and in Mendoza, Argentina. Students made visits to 16 wineries, attending wine business classes at the University of Talca, and tasting over 100 new wines. "As the competition has become more global, it is increasingly important for our wine business students to have an understanding of the international forces that will shape the wine industry in the future," says Dr. Olsen.
"The Global Wine Industry course and field trip gave us a chance to explore the trends in global production and consumption of wine, to study different wine exporting strategies, and to learn some of the reasons for the joint ventures and acquisitions that have been taking place around the world."
The group stayed in hostels, and every morning took a chartered van to a wide variety of different wineries. "We saw large and small wineries that produce only for export as well as those that serve domestic markets. We visited bodegas full of tradition that had been in the family for many generations as well new startups producing just their first vintages," noted Dr. Olsen. As well as serving the value niche, many producers are pushing high quality wines into the markets and competing with the world's best wines.
"Learning about the Chilean wine industry, studying with foreign students, experiencing the warm Chilean culture, and having fun were what this trip was all about", remarked Garret Savage, one of the Sonoma State University students attending the trip. Besides the opportunity to study the wine industry first hand, the group was able to experience other aspects of Chilean culture.
"In the evenings, the cities came alive with a veritable buffet of delectable dishes as well as discotheques packed with salsa and tango dancing," said Belinda Mehterian, another student who went on the trip.
The magnificence of both countries was absolutely stunning. "We were very impressed with the beauty of the Chilean landscape- the green, healthy vineyards spreading toward the towering heights of the Andes and their snow-covered peaks," said Dr. Liz Thach.
The Mediterranean type climate and opposite seasons afforded views of grapes ripening on the vine, days lingering on the beach absorbing the sun's rays, and evenings dining outside enjoying familiar breezes off the Pacific Ocean.
The Wine Business Program incorporates an international aspect through a travel/lecture program offered when school is not in session. For further information about the Wine Business Program, please contact David Hehman, Wine Program Director at (707) 664-3347 or david.hehman@sonoma.edu.
* Photographs available upon request.
