Course Overview

VIN 257 - Wine Production Internship is designed for the individual anticipating a career in the wine industry -- utilization of mid-sized to larger wineries with track record of experience in operating variety of wine processing and laboratory equipment to provide broader base of training opportunities for student interns. This course (internship) is designed to provide a student who has completed major course sequences with an intense level of practical and realistic winery operation experiences, sufficient to equip him/her with sufficient skills and work experience for an entry-level position in the wine industry. Students involved in this program are “invited” to participate in an internship at a supporting winery, and are expected to use the time and opportunities to further their understanding of the winemaking process and common winery operations.

A VESTA faculty member will act as coordinator for this course. The coordinator will facilitate the selection/assignment process between students and wineries, will interact with on-site supervisors and make site visits in order to track student participation and troubleshoot any problems that occur. The VESTA coordinator will be the “faculty of record” for purposes of assigning grades to the student participants. Grades will only be assigned following review of student portfolios prepared by participating wineries and consultation with student’s on-site supervisors.

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VESTA Approved Internship Site

VESTA approved internship site will consist of the following characteristics and must be approved by the VESTA Program Officers.

1. 3+ employees (including working owners and temporary/part time employees)

2. An active Barrel program or access to one at a neighboring facility.

3. 5+ years commercial experience

4. Willingness to provide a training experience for the intern.

5. Access to the following equipment: Crusher, Destemmer, Press, Filtration system, Bottling line, Pumps

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Winery Obligation

A VESTA approved internship site agrees to the following:

1. Pay competitive wages, and all appropriate insurance coverage.

2. Assist in lodging arrangements as needed.

3. Provide opportunity for student to experience activities identified in course competencies.

4. Provide intern experience description defining roles and expectations of intern.

5. Meet with VESTA Intern Coordinator regarding student progress as required.

6. Allow posting of winery information to VESTA website as a VESTA approved internship site

7. Provide facility and safety orientation

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Student Obligation

The VESTA Intern agrees to the following:

1. Complete Internship application.

2. Submit cover letter and resume (and optional portfolio available for review) for consideration by host winery.

3. Will complete all tasks reasonably expected of employees.

4. Track all skills and activities completed at the winery and show alignment to course expectations.

5. Understand that they must follow all college and winery policies and procedures. 

6. Student is not eligible to file for unemployment upon completion or termination of internship.

7. Complete exit evaluation summarizing VESTA course activities and experiences.

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VESTA Obligation

VESTA personnel agree to the following:

1. To provide pertinent information to the winery regarding the intern upon student authorization.

2. Regular contact by VESTA Internship Coordinator with mentor and student regarding internship progress.

3. Collection of formative and summative evaluation information.

4. Serve as a single point of contact.

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This web page last updated Thursday October 04, 2007

Web page maintained by Michelle Norgren