Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC), founded in 1918, has long played a vital role in Northern California’s educational landscape. Nestled in the heart of Sonoma County, one of the most influential wine regions in the world, the college’s Wine Studies Program has been preparing students for careers in viticulture, enology, and wine business since the 1980s. With deep ties to the North Coast AVAs and a flexible, workforce-focused approach, SRJC is a leading institution for those entering the California wine industry.
Curriculum & Format
SRJC offers an Associate of Science degree in Wine Studies with three tracks: Viticulture, Enology, and Wine Business. The program also provides certificates in Winery Operations, Vineyard Management, and Wine Sales, catering to students seeking faster, career-targeted credentials. While most courses are delivered in person to maintain strong hands-on engagement, online options are also available. The degree is typically completed in two years, though many working professionals take courses part-time.
Classes cover a wide range of industry-relevant subjects, from soil science and vine propagation to regulatory compliance, hospitality management, and wine marketing. However, unlike some other programs, SRJC does not operate a bonded winery. Instead, students gain practical experience through local internships and partnerships with working wineries.
Admission Requirements
As a public community college, SRJC offers open enrollment. Applicants need only a high school diploma or GED, and most new students complete placement tests in math and English. With affordable tuition, particularly for California residents, the college draws a diverse population ranging from recent high school graduates to second-career professionals.
Faculty & Alumni
The faculty includes a mix of academic and industry professionals, such as Sheana Davis—renowned cheesemaker and sommelier—and Chris Wills, who specializes in winery operations. Alumni have gone on to work for prominent producers like Kendall-Jackson and J Vineyards, as well as for boutique wineries throughout the region.
Reviews & Outcomes
The program is praised for its practical orientation and adaptability. Students frequently move into tasting room management, wine lab analysis, vineyard supervision, and cellar support roles. Many graduates also transfer to four-year programs at UC Davis or Sonoma State to pursue advanced degrees in wine business or enology.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Located in the heart of Sonoma County.
Affordable tuition with high industry relevance.
Offers diverse coursework across wine business, compliance, viticulture, and sensory analysis.
Cons:
No bonded winery on campus limits in-house winemaking opportunities.
Advanced enology students may need outside internships to deepen fermentation and production experience.
Unique Features
What sets SRJC apart is its tailored coursework in wine law, compliance, and customer-facing hospitality—areas increasingly in demand as the wine industry evolves. The school partners with organizations like Sonoma County Vintners and the Wine Institute to connect students with internships and jobs. It also collaborates with national networks like VESTA and ASEV, helping students stay informed on industry trends.
Program Focus & Identity
SRJC’s program emphasizes wine sales, marketing, and vineyard management, all grounded in the regional character of Sonoma’s AVAs. With a strong local emphasis on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and sparkling wine, students gain insights aligned with the area’s identity. Given the region’s robust tourism economy, there’s also a strong focus on direct-to-consumer (DTC) strategies and hospitality.
Student Body
Roughly 100 students are enrolled in the program at any given time, many of whom are already working in the industry or transitioning into wine-related careers. The age range spans from 18 to over 60, creating a dynamic, multigenerational learning environment.
Santa Rosa Junior College’s Wine Studies Program is a solid choice for anyone seeking a Sonoma-based wine education without the cost or time commitment of a four-year university. Though it lacks its own bonded winery, it more than makes up for it with deep community integration, excellent instruction, and real-world training pathways that lead directly into the heart of California’s wine country.