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

Instructor For HORT 122.

Dr. Cain Hickey
Assistant Teaching Professor of Viticulture

Department of Plant Science
318A Tyson Building
University Park, PA 16802

E-mail: Use Canvas Inbox

Website: Cain's Extension page

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 at the state and regional levels
  • differentiate the scales of wine grape production across various states, regions, and the nation
  • demonstrate the common wine grape production practices across U.S. regions and in specific cultivars
  • classify the common wine grape production pests and challenges prevalent across U.S. regions
  • assess the history, recent past, and current trends of grape and wine production across U.S. regions

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.

Assignments

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Grading Policy

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Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information.

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Technical Requirements

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Minimum Skills

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Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search to start planning ahead.