Highland Community College

Tucked in the heartland of America, Highland Community College has quietly established itself as a vital player in the development of the Midwest’s wine industry. Founded in 1858, this public two-year college launched its Viticulture and Enology program in 2009 as part of a strategic partnership with the Viticulture & Enology Science and Technology Alliance (VESTA). From its Wamego, Kansas, campus, Highland CC serves a geographically dispersed and largely rural student body, offering a rare opportunity: a fully online wine education built around the needs of Great Plains growers and winemakers.

A Curriculum Rooted in the Midwest

Highland CC offers Associate of Applied Science degrees and certificates in both Viticulture and Enology. Unlike traditional wine schools centered in coastal AVAs, this program is built to address the challenges of continental-climate viticulture and hybrid grape production. Students engage in coursework that ranges from grapevine biology and canopy management to fermentation science, wine marketing, and lab-based wine analysis.

The program is entirely online, delivered through the VESTA network, with optional field practicums arranged at approved wineries and vineyards across the country. This makes it an ideal fit for adult learners, veterans, and working professionals—especially those in underserved or emerging wine regions. Students can be based anywhere, though most hail from Kansas, Missouri, and surrounding states.

Open Access with National Reach

True to its community college mission, Highland CC maintains open admissions. A high school diploma or GED is all that’s required to enroll. Students apply through Highland and then register separately for VESTA modules. Because of this flexibility, the program typically sees around 60 active learners annually, many of whom are launching second careers or expanding family farm operations.

Networked Expertise and Regional Impact

While the program doesn’t include a bonded teaching winery or on-campus vineyard, it’s bolstered by a national faculty roster drawn from the VESTA alliance. These instructors bring real-world knowledge from a range of climates and winemaking styles. Alumni of the program are now working as vineyard managers and assistant winemakers across the central U.S., contributing to the growth of cold-hardy varietals like Chambourcin, Vignoles, and Norton.

The lack of in-person cohort experiences is sometimes noted as a downside, along with the need to independently arrange hands-on training. Still, the accessibility and affordability of the program remain major selling points—particularly for students in rural areas without nearby wine schools.

Serving a New Wine Frontier

In a region where traditional viticulture education has long been scarce, Highland Community College has carved out a niche: accessible, applied training for the next generation of Midwestern wine professionals. With its focus on hybrid grapes and regional resilience, the program reflects the pragmatic, hard-working spirit of its students—and of the industry it supports.