FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2005

CONTACT: Steve Dolan
(619) 594-5664
sdolan@mail.sdsu.edu

Extended Studies will offer three courses from its Professional Certificate in The Business of Wine program during the fall 2005 semester.

Red, White, and Champagne will be Thursdays, Sept. 15-29 from 6-9 pm at The Prado in Balboa Park. In this course, students will develop the palate and knowledge for red wines in week one, followed by white wines the second week, and champagnes at the final session.

Wine Making Behind the Scenes will take place at a local San Diego winery Saturday, Oct. 15. During this one-day session, students will learn "from grape to table" the philosophy, manufacturing, and operations of the wine business.

Selling Wine for Managers is scheduled for Thursdays, Nov. 3-17 from 6-9 pm in the SDSU Extended Studies/Gateway Centers. This course focuses on retail business principles and return on investment for managers.

The Business of Wine curriculum is designed to prepare participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve success in numerous wine-related occupations. Most classes will be held off-site at restaurants and wineries. Students must be 21 years of age to register for this program and complete five courses to earn a certificate.

"Employers in wine-related businesses prefer to interview job candidates who have a solid understanding of the wine basics," said William E. Byxbee, CES dean. "Our task is to make sure that a professional certificate from the College of Extended Studies in the Business of Wine will come to be a 'stamp of approval' for our graduates, allowing them more opportunities in this growing career field."

Course topics are: Exploring Wine; Wine Making Behind the Scenes; Selling Wine for Managers; Red, White, and Champagne; Dynamic Food and Wine Pairing I and II; and Wine Business Strategies.

Highlights of the program include:

• Going "behind the scenes" to understand the complexities of the wine business.
• Exploring the differences and various market segments from beverage wine to luxury wine.
• Delivering higher revenue to one's business by understanding wine and marketing.
• Learning the latest data from experts who track the industry.
• Discussing the critical issues facing the wine business today, with key experts discussing their strategies and solutions.
• Hearing what experts predict will be key business issues facing the industry in the future, and learning what steps they are taking to prepare for them.

For more information on the Professional Certificate in The Business of Wine program, please call (619) 594-6255 or visit www.NeverStopLearning.net.

SDSU's College of Extended Studies offers a wide variety of lifelong learning classes, seminars, and certificate programs. Career advancement courses are offered in many areas of management, leadership, and quality improvement while self-enrichment courses range from astronomy to web design. Additionally, the College offers over 30 certificate programs, on-line courses, and many other learning opportunities. To register or for more information, call (619) 265-SDSU (7378) or log on to www.NeverStopLearning.net.