Since 2004 the children of Mendoza receive information about the world of wine already in primary school. Since 2007, the Wine Fund (www.fondovitivinicola.com.ar) offers training for teachers Mendoza has been a pioneer in introducing the winemaking subject in children’s education. at all education levels. The program is called “La vitivinicultura hace escuela” (Winemaking sets a precedent) and it prepares every year more than 600 teachers so that they can transmit to their students the knowledge about this traditional activity of economic importance in our province. All the content has been compiled into a manual with classroom activities. Given the current pandemic situation, the Wine Fund is preparing a special website so that teachers can access training and activities for their students. The course is open to teachers of all educational levels but we highlight the sharing of this topic at early stages.
http://www.fondovitivinicola.com.ar/page_educacion.php#:~:text=La%20Vitivinicultura%20hace%20Escuela&text=Los%20cursos%20son%20gratuitos%20y%20se%20dictan%20en%20toda%20la%20provincia
It is also worth mentioning that there is a private primary school specifically oriented to this activity, the Viticultural School P-419 in Maipú.
At the secondary level, several schools in Mendoza offer an agricultural orientation with focus on viticulture, such as the Liceo Agrícola and Enológico Domingo F. Sarmiento (Mendoza City), Escuela Don Bosco (Rodeo del Medio, Maipú), Esc. 4-006 Pascual Giaccarini (San Rafael), Esc. 4-027 Moises Julio Chade (San Martín), Esc. 4-007 Miguel Amado Pouget, School 4-025 Los Corralitos (Guaymallén), Esc. 4-035 Julia Silva de Cejas (Tunuyán) , Esc. 4-034 Ing. Galileo Vitali (La Paz), Esc. 4-026 Juan Bautista Alberdi (Lavalle). In these schools, students learn about viticulture and winemaking. They can then continue their studies in 15 different institutions of tertiary education that offer enology in the province. They all supply well trained personnel to the local industry.
The province of Mendoza, through its General Board of Schools, has various Institutes of Higher Education with varied orientations. Some of them also offer subjects related to wine, such as AGRONOMY (PE 3315-DGE-18, JUNÍN), ENOLOGY AND FOOD INDUSTRIES (PE 432-DGE-19, JUNÍN) and ENOLOGY, FRUIT AND VEGETABLES AGROINDUSTRIES (1238-DGE-05 Ampl. 2928-DGE-07, JUNÍN). Likewise, ISTEEC (Higher Technical Institute for Economic Studies of Cuyo) also offers the ENOLOGY AND FOOD INDUSTRIES at its headquarters in Guaymallén.
Students can also continue their training at university level. Many of the Mendoza-based universities offer related majors and postgraduate programs. Here we mention some of them:
National University of Cuyo (Universidad Nacional de Cuyo)
http://www.fca.uncu.edu.ar/
In the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences in the area of Lujan de Cuyo students can study Agronomic Engineering. The degree obtained in Mendoza enables to work in oenology and wineries, while those who got their degree in other faculties in the country cannot do so.
That faculty also offers a Technical Degree in Oenology and Viticulture that has the possibility of a dual-degree together with the University of Udine, in Italy, if the student attends programs at both institutions and prepares a final special report. Students can also continue a Bachelor of Oenology at the San Rafael Headquarters, in Mendoza. The undergraduate and degree courses are free, with admission through an exam.
For postgraduate programs include:
• Specialization in Viticulture
• Specialization in Irrigation and Drainage
• Master in Agroindustrial Business Management (MAGNAGRO)
• Master in Viticulture and Oenology
• Master in Irrigation and Drainage
• Phd in Agronomy
National Technological University Regional Faculty Mendoza (Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Facultad Regional Mendoza)
http://www.frm.utn.edu.ar/
• Technical Degree in Oenology
• Bachelor of Oenology
Juan Agustín Maza University (Universidad Juan Agustín Maza)
http://www.umaza.edu.ar/landings/enologia/
• Sommelier
• Technical Degree in Oenology
• Bachelor of Oenology
Catholic University of Cuyo in Mendoza – Don Bosco Faculty (Universidad Católica de Cuyo Sede Mendoza –Facultad Don Bosco)
http://uccuyomza.edu.ar/index.php/unidades/facultad.html
1. Sommelier
2. Bachelor of Oenology
3. Bachelor’s degree in Oenology, Fruit and Vegetable Industries
Aconcagua University / Argentine School of Sommeliers (Universidad del Aconcagua / Escuela Argentina de Sommeliers)
http://www.uda.edu.ar/index.php/sommelier
https://sommeliers.com.ar/home/mendoza
• Sommelier
This is an undergraduate degree granted by the Aconcagua University with a CETT-UB certification, an entity depending on the University of Barcelona. It offers a 2-year program but also short courses for amateurs. This institution is recognized by the AAS (Argentine Association of Sommeliers), which as a member of the ASI (Association of the Sommellerie Internationale) endorses the titles of schools that meet the international requirements and standards for professional training and academic teaching established by this association.
Currently they also offer an online training course that lasts 6 months (https://formatesommeliers.com/) and in the short term, they will also offer a two-year degree in a combined format of face-to-face classes and e-learning.
Many universities also offer programs in activities such as tourism, hotels and gastronomy. In all cases, they place great emphasis on wine tourism as a driving force.
OTHER COURSES
There is an array of institutions offering various trainings and courses related to wine:
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF VITICULTURE (INV): https://www.argentina.gob.ar/inv/agenda
It usually offers introductory wine tasting courses and seminars related to winemaking.
ENOTECA: http://laenoteca.com.ar/events/
It offers courses and activities throughout the year.
WINE INSTITUTE: http://wineinstitute.com.ar/
It offers a wide range of trainings on wine and other gourmet products.
• International Sommelier
• Diploma in International Wine Marketing
• Diploma in National Wine Marketing
• Marketing-oriented wine advisor
• Specialization in wine tourism
This institute has internship agreements with prestigious institutions in the United States, France and Spain. It has also short courses on related topics open to the general public.
PROGRAMS FOR FOREIGNERS
For those who wish to visit Mendoza and learn about wines, they can take the Wine Institute Program for Foreigners, which lasts 8 days with 4 hours classes a day. This course includes accommodation, visits to wineries, transfers, tastings and the necessary material. http://wineinstitute.com.ar/programa-internacional/.
This institution also offers exclusive and private 2-3 days courses. All these trainings can be in Spanish, English or Portuguese.
Another alternative is to participate in the Bridge Program (Programa Puente) of the University of Congress (Universidad de Congreso). It offers and array of subjects taught in English, including “The culture of wine and wine production”. The course lasts 16 weeks of 3 hours classes per week. It can start in March or August. The exchange students attending classes at this university can also select the ‘Wine Tourism ‘course in Spanish.
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
The wine related education alternatives that Mendoza offers have been internationally recognized through important awards to its professionals:
2019 – Santiago Mayorga was selected among the 50 most influential young winemakers, according to the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC).
2018 – Alejandro Vigil obtained twice 100 Parker points for his wines: Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard Gualtallary Cabernet Franc 2013, from Bodega Aleanna, and Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard River Stones 2016
2018 – Susana Balbo was chosen by the publication ‘The Drink Business Magazine’ as one of the most influential women in the world of wine.
2018 – Mariano Di Paola was highlighted by Tim Atkin as Legend Winemaker in his report on 2018 Argentine wines.
2018 – María Laura Ortiz was selected by the Great Wine Capitals network as the winner of a contest to win a scholarship for attending the Worldsomm training in Bordeaux, France.
2017 – Mariana Paez won a Silver Medal in the Ningxia Winemakers Challenge in China. It is a challenge in which 48 winemakers from all over the world compete to produce 10 thousand liters of the best Cabernet Sauvignon. Mariana achieved her recognition with a 2015 vintage of her own production.
2015 – Mariano Di Paola was listed by Decanter magazine as one of the 30 best winemakers in the world.
2013 – Alejandro Vigil was included in the ‘Decanter’ magazine’s list of influential personalities for his exceptional achievements.
2012 – Jorge Riccitelli, winemaker at Bodega Norton, was named worldwide ‘Winemaker of the Year” by the Wine Enthusiast publication in its Wine Star Awards contest.
2011 – Roberto De la Mota was highlighted by Jay Miller as “Argentine star winemaker” in the publication “The Wine Advocate”, one of the most important in the United States.
2005 – Raúl de la Mota was named Best Winemaker of the 20th century in Argentina by the World Association of Journalists and Writers of Wines and Spirits, based in Bordeaux.
(By Carolina Suárez Garcés, institucional@promendoza.com)