All course information is listed within this syllabus.
HORT 122: Wine Grape Production Across the United States (3 credits). This course reviews the basics and fundamentals of wine grape production methods and challenges across the U.S., as framed by the interaction of genetics, environment, and management. Viticulture and grapevine science will be taught in an approachable format and by highlighting real-world and applied case studies as learned from observations in commercial vineyards or from applied research. The course also frequently reviews climates, geography, and environment of various grape and wine production regions across the U.S., and how each region/state has novel aspects that pose niche grape production and market challenges. Regional and state reviews highlight the cultivation of a unique mix of wine grape cultivars and showcase grape growing and wine-producing industries that vary in size and experience. No prior experience with the topic needed; the aim is to draw from commercial case studies and everyday examples around us.
Prerequisites: None
HORT 122 fulfills a general education requirement for natural sciences (GN).
Instructor
Dr. Cain Hickey
Assistant Teaching Professor of Viticulture
Department of Plant Science
318A Tyson Building
University Park, PA 16802
Phone (Office): 814-440-5534
E-mail: Use Canvas Inbox
Website: Cain's Extension page
Office Hours: By appointment/Zoom
Course Overview
The course goal is to study various wine grape production systems across the United States, emphasizing differences in climate, production scale, management practices/problems, and cultivars grown. We will also highlight applied viticulture and commercial grapevine production practices and challenges.
Course Objectives
- identify the diverse geographic regions and climates where wine grapes are cultivated in the United States
- describe wine grape cultivar production and diversity across the United States, including popular varieties in major production states and regions
- differentiate the scales of wine grape production across states and regions
- demonstrate the common wine grape production practices across several United States regions and in specific cultivars
- classify the common wine grape production pests and challenges prevalent across United States regions
- assess the history, recent past, and current trends of major grape and wine production across U.S. regions
Course Outline
Module 1: Introduction to Grapevine and Grape and Wine Industry in the U.S.
Module 2: Considering the Interaction of Genetics, Management, Environment, and Production Goals
Module 3: Starting a Vineyard — Site and Variety ("Cultivar") Selection
Module 4: Starting a Vineyard — Vineyard Design, Planting, Legal and Regulatory Considerations, and Economic and Business Planning
Module 5: Starting a Vineyard — Trellis Selection and Early Vine Training and Management
Module 6: Fungal Disease of Grapevines
Module 7: Insect Pests of Grapevines
Module 8: Common Abiotic (Non-Living) Stresses of Grapevines
Module 9: Seasonal Management in Young and Mature Vineyards and Considerations for Harvest
Module 10: Fundamentals of Young Vine Training and Dormant Pruning
Module 11: Overview of Grape Production Systems and Wine Regions in the United States
Module 12: Grape Growing and Wine Production Regions of California
Module 13: Grape Growing and Wine Production Regions of Oregon and Washington
Module 14: Major Grape Growing and Wine Production States East of the Rocky Mountains
Module 15: Grape Growing and Wine Production in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia
Course Schedule
For due dates, refer to the Course Summary on the Syllabus page in Canvas.
Course Materials
No textbook is required for this course. All materials will be available in Canvas in the form of weekly modules.
Course Policies and Procedures
Use of Generative AI Tools
You are not required to use generative AI tools (such as AI Studio, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini) to complete this course. You may choose to use generative AI tools for the following cases:
- Researching module topics to expand your own understanding of the module concepts.
- Checking the language quality of a long text answer that you have composed. The AI tool can make recommendations for you to improve readability, grammar, and generally make your writing more professional.
Ethical GenAI use
AI use is allowed. Students can use AI tools to brainstorm, draft, edit, or whatever helps you succeed. Even when AI is allowed, you are still responsible for the quality and accuracy of what you submit.
If you do use a generative AI tool, you should use AI Studio, Microsoft Copilot, or Google Gemini on your Penn State student account.
See the Penn State policies under Academic Integrity. If you do use a generative AI tool, you should use AI Studio, Microsoft Copilot, or Google Gemini on your Penn State student account. Keep in mind that only level 1 and level 2 (i.e., non-sensitive, non-restricted) information, per Penn State Policy AD95, should be entered into an AI tool.
Assignments
Grades will be based on the evaluation of weekly quizzes, module discussions and assignments, and a final project. Check Canvas for requirements and due dates.
All written assignments, including discussions, are due at the end of the week (Sunday at 11:59 p.m. ET). Assignments submitted after the due date will be assessed a late penalty of one point per day until submitted. Late assignments will not be accepted five (5) days after the due date; these assignments will receive a zero.
All quizzes are due at the end of the week (Sunday at 11:59 p.m. ET). Late submissions will not be accepted.
Grading Policy
The following table is the grading criteria for the course.
| Requirement | Cumulative Point Value |
|---|---|
| Quizzes | 150 |
| Assignments | 110 |
| Discussions | 25 |
| Final Project | 50 |
| TOTAL: | 335 |
The following table is the grading scheme for the course.
| Letter Grade | Percentage |
|---|---|
| A | 100% – 93% |
| A- | < 93% – 90% |
| B+ | < 90% – 87% |
| B | < 87% – 83% |
| B- | < 83% – 80% |
| C+ | < 80% – 77% |
| C | < 77% – 70% |
| D | < 70% – 60% |
| F | < 60% |
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information.
Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please see "Graduation" under World Campus Student Resources.
Online Students' Use of the Library
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Technical Requirements
This course is offered online and it is assumed you possess the minimum system requirements and computing skills to participate effectively. A list of technical requirements is listed on World Campus' Penn State Technical Requirements page.
Minimum Skills
- You should have an understanding of basic computer usage (creating folders/directories, switching between programs, formatting and backing up media, accessing the internet).
- You must be able to conduct word processing tasks such as creating, editing, saving, and retrieving documents.
- You must be able to use a web browser to open web pages, download files, and search the internet.
- You must be able to use an e-mail program to send and receive messages and to attach and download documents/files.
- You must be able to download and install programs or plug-ins from the internet.
Getting Help With Canvas Courses
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Support Services
As a student, you have access to a variety of services and resources, including advising, tutoring, library services, career services, and more. Please visit the following resources for more information:
- World Campus Student Services
- Penn State Student Support Resources for University Park and Commonwealth campuses
Accessibility Information
Netiquette
The term "Netiquette" refers to the etiquette guidelines for electronic communications, such as e-mail and discussion postings. Netiquette covers not only rules to maintain civility in discussions but also special guidelines unique to the electronic nature of messages. Please review Virginia Shea's "The Core Rules of Netiquette" for general guidelines that should be followed when communicating in this course.
Penn State Policies
Login Policy
Students are expected to log in regularly to keep up to date with announcements, discussions, etc. The class will progress at a regular pace throughout the semester and there are specific due dates and times for assignments, etc.
Course Availability
Your course will be available to you beginning the first day of class and will remain open for one year. After one year the course will close.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest, and responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle.
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity, an academic integrity violation is "an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically." Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean's List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
You can learn more at The College of Agricultural Sciences Academic Integrity Information for Students.
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Copyright Notice
All course materials students receive or to which students have online access are protected by copyright laws. Students may use course materials and make copies for their own use as needed, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor's express permission is strictly prohibited. University Policy AD40, Recording of Classroom Activities and Note-Taking Services, addresses this issue. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University's Code of Conduct, and/or liable under federal and state laws.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Many students at Penn State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional well-being. The University offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultations, online chats, and mental health screenings. These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and embrace a philosophy respectful of clients' cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to differences in race, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
- Counseling and Psychological Services at University Park (CAPS): 814-863-0395
- Counseling and Psychological Services at Commonwealth Campuses
- Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week): 1-877-229-6400
- Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week): Text LIONS to 741741
Accommodations for Persons With Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources website provides contact information for every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources page.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Accommodations for Military Personnel
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Use of Trade Names
Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by World Campus, Outreach and Cooperative Extension, the College of Agricultural Sciences, or The Pennsylvania State University is implied.
Subject to Change Statement
Please note that this Course Syllabus is subject to change. Students are responsible for abiding by such changes.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search to start planning ahead.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search to start planning ahead.
