Surry Community College
Nestled in North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley AVA—the beating heart of the state’s wine country—Surry Community College has quietly become a cornerstone of wine education in the Southeast. Since launching its Viticulture & Enology program in 2004, this public community college has trained the workforce behind many of the region’s wineries, serving as a bridge between education and North Carolina’s growing wine economy.
Rooted in Regional Relevance
Surry’s location is no accident. The Yadkin Valley is North Carolina’s largest and most active wine-producing region, and Surry’s program was designed with this specific environment in mind. It emphasizes hands-on, site-specific training in humid-climate viticulture and cellar practices, equipping students to work effectively with hybrid grape varieties such as Traminette, Chambourcin, and Seyval Blanc.
Curriculum and Format
The college offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Viticulture & Enology, along with shorter Certificate options in Winemaking and Vineyard Management. The two-year program blends in-person instruction with limited online coursework, and includes access to an on-campus vineyard and bonded micro-winery. Students gain practical experience across the production cycle—from canopy management and disease control to fermentation and bottling.
Open Doors, Applied Focus
Admission to the program is open to all students with a high school diploma or GED. Placement testing in math and science may be required, but financial aid options help keep the program accessible. Many students are mid-career adults looking to pivot into the wine industry. With a cohort size of 30 to 40 and a strong gender balance, the program maintains a personal, hands-on learning environment.
Faculty and Alumni Footprint
The faculty roster includes respected names like Allison Slater, who leads winemaking instruction, and Dr. Barry Parks, an expert in viticulture. Surry alumni have found work in wineries throughout the Southeast, including prominent producers like Shelton Vineyards and RagApple Lassie. The program has also been recognized by the North Carolina Wine & Grape Council as a “critical workforce pipeline.”
Career Pathways and Industry Integration
Graduates go on to work in production roles, vineyard operations, and tasting room management. The program’s close ties to the North Carolina Winegrowers Association and transfer pathways to Appalachian State University offer students further mobility in the field. The college’s active collaboration with NC State Extension and membership in professional organizations like ASEV and VESTA also extend its industry reach.
A Teaching Winery with a Commercial Label
Perhaps the most unique feature of Surry’s program is its fully bonded commercial winery. Students aren’t just learning how to make wine—they’re making it. Bottled under the college’s own label, these wines are sold locally, reinforcing the program’s practical and entrepreneurial ethos.
Pros and Cons
Strengths
✔ Affordable and accessible entry into the wine industry
✔ Strong emphasis on practical skills, regional grape varieties, and lab-based learning
✔ Real-world experience in a working winery and vineyard
Limitations
✘ Limited advanced coursework in enology or wine chemistry
✘ Region-specific focus may reduce portability for students seeking work outside the Southeast
Conclusion
Surry Community College doesn’t try to be all things to all wine students. Instead, it offers exactly what the Southeastern wine industry needs: skilled workers who understand the climate, the grapes, and the business. For students looking to enter this growing field—or make a mid-career shift into wine—Surry offers a compelling, hands-on path into the vineyard and cellar.